Omega Aqua Terra: Is it TOO Good?

It’s no query that Omega is a worldwide family title. When discussing Omega, everybody may have their psychological picture of what defines the model for them and the way they got here throughout it. This may very well be the Seamaster affiliation with James Bond or the Speedmaster with the moon landings.

And it doesn’t cease there with well-known watch fashions. Within the Omega catalogue there’s additionally the Planet Ocean, Railmaster, Globemaster, De Ville – the record goes on.

Nonetheless, it’s the Aqua Terra I wish to deal with in the present day, particularly the usual mannequin versus the Small Seconds from 2021.

When contemplating watches price their worth, the Aqua Terra is up there with the perfect of them. It boasts an distinctive motion, attention-grabbing dial variations, and stable ending, backed up by one of the revered watch manufacturers.

So why then will we not hear about it extra? Is that this the watch you will have been searching for all alongside?

What does the Aqua Terra supply?

The Aqua Terra 150M has been part of the Seamaster lineup since 2002, and since then has had a mess of dial, strap, measurement and motion updates. It is likely one of the newer collections from Omega and attracts inspiration from the sooner Seamaster fashions, leaning in the direction of simplicity whereas managing water resistance as much as 150m.

The watch differs from others within the Seamaster assortment because it lacks a rotating bezel making it decidedly extra wearable in lots of conditions. In that sense, versatility has turn out to be as massive a function as its water resistance.

Eddie Redmayne carrying an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M

This versatility is self-proclaimed in its title – ‘Aqua’ that means water and ‘Terra’ that means land. That is with out mentioning the huge variety of choices Omega offers you when selecting your Aqua Terra.

Neglect simply choosing a case measurement, dial colour and strap, there are additionally treasured metals variations, problems similar to a Worldtimer and Small Seconds, and even colourful fashions from 2022 that don’t have the teak sample.

Oh, and when you have $49,000 and a particular love for the Aqua Terra, then there’s the Extremely Mild constructed from ceramized titanium. One thing for everybody is an understatement.

Aqua Terra 2017 Onwards

It was the newest massive refresh to the Aqua Terra that made the distinction and received me noticing it. The replace got here in 2017, making this the third technology since its inception. This noticed the watch up to date with a redesigned case, in addition to adjustments to the dial aesthetics.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M pre-2017 (left) and post-2017

Initially, the dial turned extra attention-grabbing and commenced to make sense to me. The teak sample, which has turn out to be synonymous with the Aqua Terra, was retained however modified from vertical to horizontal traces.

This small change made a big distinction. The teak sample one way or the other feels extra pure and refined, and a big purpose is that the horizontal sample now has a mix of thicker and thinner traces. It doesn’t simply give the dial extra depth and subtly, it makes it really feel extra purposeful and nearer to the boat decking it’s meant to resemble.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M with blue dial on bracelet

On prime of this, the horizontal traces seize the sunshine fantastically and it’s price seeing in individual in the event you can. Given the grooves within the dial and the sunburst colours, the sunshine is mirrored in order that the dial is consistently altering – typically the traces are darker from shadows, and different occasions the traces are lit up.

The earlier vertical sample didn’t handle this because the traces adopted the trail of your wrist so the sunshine was not damaged by them, making the watch really feel flatter.

Then there’s every little thing else in regards to the dial. The stepped date window was moved to six o’clock bringing about higher general symmetry. The indices are brushed, sharp and full of lume. The palms are the identical and the minute hand has solely the arrow tip full of lume, which has turn out to be a signature of the Aqua Terra.

Look nearer and you discover that the utilized brand can also be brushed, however vertically to create a distinction to the horizontal dial. There are satisfyingly exact cutouts for the Seamaster title and dial textual content.

Lastly, the teak sample doesn’t fill the dial; there’s an outer ring for the second indices that helps the watch really feel extra compact than the 38 mm/41 mm case diameters on supply.

All of that is behind an AR-coated, barely domed sapphire crystal. The complexity is there while you search for it.It was not simply the aesthetics that have been up to date in 2017, however the Aqua Terra additionally obtained mechanical updates.

There are three completely different actions discovered within the time-only Aqua Terra, all of them Grasp Chronometer Co-Axial actions. The caliber 8900 is discovered within the 41mm variations, whereas the caliber 8901 is completed to a better normal reserved for treasured metallic fashions.

They each have 60 hour energy reserves and a leaping hour hand, permitting the person to alter the hours effectively; excellent for touring.

Then there’s the 8800 used within the smaller 38mm mannequin, though this has a barely shorter energy reserve at 55h. All actions are extraordinarily non-magnetic, resisting as much as 15,000 Gauss, making them a few of the greatest within the trade.

Any points?

Are there any issues with the Aqua Terra? Nicely, sure. There’s all the time room to enhance! These are all minor particulars. The date wheel is recessed from the dial, making it look barely too deep and laborious to learn.

The lume isn’t the brightest, though that is solely actually some extent contemplating Omega push the very fact it has 150m water resistance.

It’s on the thick aspect – that is all the way down to the motion and might be seen throughout a number of Omegas. It’s extra noticeable on the 38 mm model, nevertheless it’s not so thick that I wouldn’t suggest it.

Then there’s the worth

When contemplating simply the Aqua Terra the worth $5,900 (with bracelet) appears honest. However taking into context the Seamaster 300M it doesn’t make sense. The 300M is £4,840 (with bracelet)  and comes with a rotating bezel, greater water resistance, the entire James Bond affiliation (in the event you like that) and a METAS-certified 8800 motion.

These are all small areas that Omega might enhance on for the following massive Aqua Terra replace. I have to stress although that this does take a lot away from the whole bundle on supply right here.

Why is the Aqua Terra ignored?

On paper the Aqua Terra is nice and in individual it’s equally compelling. There’s variation, versatility and, most significantly, availability. But it isn’t a watch that receives a lot consideration. I perceive that the heritage of the Speedmaster and Seamaster Diver 300M can’t be matched, however even when evaluating the Aqua Terra to different watches, the popularity is comparatively low.

Simply think about how a lot consciousness the Rolex Oyster Perpetual instructions, and it has an analogous providing on paper.

I’ve two most important theories of why that is. 

Firstly, emotion and heritage. I’ve alluded to this within the put up in regards to the IWC Mark XVIII, however shopping for a luxurious watch is, unsurprisingly, a luxurious. There are various causes for getting one together with marking a special day, shopping for into model recognition for standing, carrying it as jewellery for males, or the story resonates.

A watch is an emotive merchandise in a world the place we are able to verify our telephones for the time. Some folks have an curiosity within the sport or career a watch is related to, or possibly a mannequin that reminds them of a particular somebody.

The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M can also be obtainable in 38 mm, 34 mm, or 28 mm

Regardless of all of the Aqua Terra brings to the desk, there’s not a lot else that may be stated in regards to the mannequin. There’s a hyperlink with golf someplace, in addition to the teak sample reflecting yachts, however that is very minor subsequent to different fashions. You is likely to be saying “how might it obtain any heritage in solely 20 years?”, however different new Omega fashions such because the Planet Ocean have managed.

The Planet Ocean, for instance, has been used as the premise for Omegas’ partnership with the GoodPlanet Basis. This led to a documentary known as Planet Ocean to boost consciousness in regards to the bond between humanity and the ocean. 

Omega additionally engineered the Extremely-Deep, taking a Planet Ocean to the deepest level on Earth. The Aqua Terra, alternatively, doesn’t have these speaking factors. I don’t have to carry up the tales behind the Speedmaster, Seamaster 300M, Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Rolex Datejust, Zenith El Primero…the record goes on.

The second concept I’ve is that the watch is simply too good. It’s a watch that I’d suggest to anybody. It’s laborious to not! It might be an particularly nice suggestion to somebody who needed one luxurious timepiece that would go wherever because it’s nice wanting and well-made.

You’re shopping for into the Omega model recognition, which whether or not we prefer it or not, is a giant purpose for a luxurious buy like a wristwatch.

Omega caliber 8900

The motion is nicely engineered, extraordinarily correct and with the very good given the Co-Axial escapement, it doesn’t want servicing as continuously because the competitors. All of it works. However when you have a watch that works in all conditions, then how do you justify the following buy?

Equally, when you have a group on the go along with one thing you put on to work, one other for the weekend, and probably a costume watch as nicely, then the place would the Aqua Terra slot in?

The Aqua Terra needs to be demanding extra consideration. It might be a incredible buy and has moved significantly up my want record during the last 12 months. My alternative can be the white dial, 38 mm, on the gray rubber strap. Normally, it’s advisable to purchase one thing with the bracelet, however I like the texturized rubber strap possibility.

In my eyes, it enhances the watch completely, particularly because the rubber strap has a stainless-steel finish hyperlink giving an built-in look. Perhaps it is because I really feel the following watch in my assortment needs to be extra sporty and that is how I see the Aqua Terra becoming in. What would yours be?

Conclusion

The Aqua Terra from Omega has been persistently modified and improved, making it now nearer to excellent than ever. You’re getting a watch that’s lovely and intriguing to have a look at, powered by probably the greatest actions on the value and completed by Omega.

It ticks all of the containers but continues to be ignored and under-discussed. Perhaps it’s such timepiece that there’s not a lot to speak about! It is also all the way down to the shortage of emotion that comes with the Aqua Terra in comparison with different watches.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M with white dial

Both method, few watches would really work as a one-watch assortment – that is one in all them. No matter how giant your assortment is, I’d strongly counsel you give the Aqua Terra a thought while you’re contemplating your subsequent watch. You could be shocked by how a lot is on supply right here.

For extra data, please go to www.omegawatches.com/watches/seamaster/aqua-terra-150m/catalog

* This text was first revealed 20 June 2023 at Omega Aqua Terra: Is it TOO Good?

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