At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Shaun White — competing in what would become his farewell Olympic run — was photographed wearing the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph in Sedna gold, reference 215.63.46.51.01.001. The sighting placed one of watchmaking's most technically serious sport chronographs on the wrist of one of action sports' most decorated athletes, a pairing that felt entirely deliberate.
The Planet Ocean Chronograph ref. 215.63.46.51.01.001 is built around Omega's Calibre 9900, a Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement co-developed with METAS, Switzerland's federal metrology institute. The movement achieves COSC chronometer certification and then exceeds it, meeting the eight-test METAS protocol including resistance to magnetic fields above 15,000 gauss. Power reserve stands at 60 hours across twin barrels. The 45.5mm case is rendered in Omega's proprietary Sedna gold — an 18k alloy combining gold, copper, and palladium, engineered to resist the colour fade that typically affects standard rose gold over time. The deep-blue ceramic dial carries applied indices and a date window, while the ceramic bezel is engraved with a 60-minute diving scale. The chronograph architecture uses a column wheel and vertical clutch for clean engagement and precise reset.
From a collector's standpoint, the Planet Ocean Chronograph in Sedna gold occupies a distinct position in Omega's catalogue. It sits above the steel references in both material and price, yet remains a genuine instrument watch rather than a purely dress piece. The Planet Ocean lineage carries real depth: a dedicated version of the model accompanied explorer Victor Vescovo to 10,928 metres in the Mariana Trench — the deepest point ever reached by a human — underscoring Omega's commitment to functional credibility even at its most precious metal tier. One detail on this specific dial rewards close inspection: the one-hour chronograph counter at 3 o'clock runs retrograde, snapping back at 60 minutes rather than rotating continuously — an unusual complication rarely seen in this format.
Shaun White, a three-time Olympic halfpipe gold medallist (2006, 2010, 2018), competed in Beijing seeking a fourth gold before finishing fourth in what became his retirement event. Omega has served as official timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932, making White's choice contextually fitting without being accidental.
At retail, this reference lists at approximately $47,100 USD. On the secondary market, Sedna gold complications from Omega's Professional line tend to hold value steadily, with grey-market prices tracking close to or slightly below retail depending on box-and-papers condition.
