The "replica hippocampus 2013" is a Chinese-made copy of an Omega Seamaster from the 2013 model run, most often the Planet Ocean 600M or the Aqua Terra. "Hippocampus" is Latin for seahorse, the Omega emblem, and Chinese sellers write it as 海马 (hǎimǎ). It is not a Rolex, even though it turns up on replica Rolex storefronts.
Why does a Hippocampus show up on a Rolex replica site?
Chinese factories ship Seamaster copies from the same benches and storefronts as Submariner and Daytona copies, so the listings sit side by side. Sellers translate 海马 as "hippocampus" or "sea horse" in English titles, which is why the word looks out of place next to Rolex model names. A shopper hunting a Rolex can land on an Omega listing by mistake.
Which 2013 Seamaster models get copied?
Two lines from that period were copied in large numbers, plus a set of older tool-watch shapes that factories keep in stock as budget options.
- Planet Ocean 600M, 45.5mm. Thick case, helium escape valve at 10 o'clock, ceramic bezel. The most copied 2013 Seamaster.
- Aqua Terra 41.5mm. Teak dial with vertical stripes, date at 3, no helium valve. A simple case makes it easier to copy well.
- Seamaster 300 and Diver 300M. Older shapes used as entry-level builds and often listed under the same keyword.
If a listing just says "hippocampus 2013" with no model name, ask the seller for the case diameter, the dial photo and the movement code. That answer tells you which of the three you are actually buying.
Which workshops build the better copies?
Three names come up on owner forums around the 2013 Seamaster copies: Noob, VSF (also sold as V6F) and BP. Noob built the Planet Ocean case that other sellers still compare against. VSF did the Aqua Terra and Seamaster 300 with thin cases and clean dial printing. BP filled the cheaper end.
Factory names are shorthand, not guarantees. A "Noob" Planet Ocean bought this year may come off a different bench than one sold a decade ago, and sellers reuse the label. Judge the watch in front of you, not the sticker on the bag.
How do you tell a good 2013 Hippocampus replica from a bad one?
Case and bezel
The genuine Planet Ocean is 45.5mm wide and about 16mm thick, and the best copies keep those numbers close. A thin case with a small helium valve is the first sign of a cheap build. Check that the bezel triangle lines up at 12 and that the ring clicks with no side play.
Dial, hands and date
On the Planet Ocean, the date sits at 3 and the 6 and 9 are applied numerals, not printed. Off-center date windows and flat markers are common on sub-$150 copies. Lume should glow green-blue and fade over hours, not minutes.
Movement
Most 2013 Hippocampus replicas run a Seagull or Hangzhou copy of the ETA 2824, sold as "A2824". Better ones use a Swiss ETA 2824-2 or a decorated movement that mimics the Omega 8500 rotor. None of them are real Omega calibers.
Bracelet and clasp
Screw-in links and a clasp with a working dive extension separate the top tier from the rest. Rattle in the bracelet under a shake is a bad sign. Ask for photos of the clasp code and the caseback before you pay.
What does a replica hippocampus 2013 cost?
Prices fall into three bands. Treat these as rough market ranges, not quotes from one seller.
- Under $150. Thin case, printed markers, basic Chinese automatic. Looks right in a photo and wrong in the hand.
- $200 to $350. The usual sweet spot. 316L steel, ceramic bezel insert, A2824, usable bracelet.
- $400 to $550. Top-tier builds with Swiss ETA movements, better dial printing and tight bezel action.
How does the 2013 copy differ from later Seamaster replicas?
Later copies chase the Master Chronometer generation with cloned co-axial movements, ceramic dials and sharper finishing. The 2013 builds stick to the older case shape and a plain 2824, which makes them cheaper to service and easier to find parts for. Buyers who want a period-correct Planet Ocean still look for the 2013 version on purpose.
How do you buy one without getting burned?
- Ask for a timestamped photo of the watch with today's date next to the case. Stock photos mean the seller does not have the piece.
- Confirm the movement in writing. "A2824" and "ETA 2824" are different watches at different prices.
- Pay with a method that offers a refund path. Bank transfer leaves you with no recourse.
- Skip any listing that claims Swiss-made origin or a full Omega warranty. Both are false for a replica.
What should you check when it arrives?
- Time it for 48 hours against a clock app. Plus or minus 15 seconds a day is normal for an A2824.
- Turn the bezel through a full rotation and check alignment at 12.
- Press the helium valve and the crown. Both should seat flush with the case.
- Watch the date change at midnight. It should flip once, not drift.
- Check the lume in a dark room after 30 seconds under a lamp.
Is buying a replica legal in the US?
No. Selling or trafficking counterfeit goods violates federal trademark law, and U.S. Customs can seize a replica watch at the border. Buying one for personal use sits in a gray zone that varies by state, while the package carries the real risk. Keep that in mind before you spend $300 on a watch that may never arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Is the replica hippocampus 2013 the same as a Noob Planet Ocean?
Often yes. Noob was the best-known builder of the 2013 Planet Ocean copy, so sellers use the two names together. Not every "Noob" listing is genuine, so compare caseback and clasp photos.
Does a Hippocampus 2013 replica use a real Omega movement?
No. A real Omega 8500 caliber costs more than the whole replica. Expect an ETA 2824 clone or a decorated movement with a printed rotor.
Can a replica hippocampus 2013 pass as the real thing?
From across a room, yes. In the hand, no. Case thickness, crown guards, dial printing and movement finish give it away to anyone who knows the model.