Omega debuted a new version of the 38 mm Aqua Terra last month, in an assortment of five quirky sunburst dials.
The Omega Aqua Terra 150M 38 comes in a 38 mm x 12.26 mm stainless steel case, in your choice of PVD-coated sunburst dials Atlantic Blue (light blue), Bay Green (light green), Sandstone (beige), Saffron (red), or CVD-coated Terracotta (light orange).
Accentuating the new dials are 18 facetted rhodium-plated, diamond-polished sides with brushed top Dauphine and arrowed tipped hands as well as rhodium-plated inward-pointing triangular-shaped hand-applied indices. The Omega emblem is applied in polished rhodium at 12 o’clock, with OMEGA applied just below, and “Seamster” printed in black cursive writing just under that. A tapered aperture at 6 o’clock indicates the date. The outermost perimeter of the dial is printed with a black second/minute track.
Like the existing 34 mm, 38 mm, and 41 mm Aqua Terra collection, the new 38 mm versions of the Aqua Terra feature Omega’s signature twisted lugs, with a symmetrical layout (as opposed to asymmetrical like the Moonwatch).
A screw-down, conical, polished, and embossed crown controls the winding, time setting, and date function. The dial is protected by a slightly domed sapphire crystal and the caseback has a sapphire window, offering a view of the caliber 8800 automatic.
Omega’s caliber 8800 utilizes a Co-Axial escapement and is tested to Master Chronometer standards and leaves the factory adjusted at 0/+4 seconds/per day. The movement beats 3.5Hz, has 35 jewels, and a 55-hour power reserve. This advanced movement has a silicon balance spring, free-sprung Omega balance, and is resistant against magnetism up to 15,000 gausses.
Finishing of the caliber 8800 includes Geneva waves in arabesque, bridges and rotor with polished bevels and rhodium-plating, red varnished engraving, blackened screws, barrel, and balance wheel.
A newly redesigned bracelet has improved integration, and Omega’s patented screw-and-pin system with a butterfly clasp with pushers on the cover. The center links are polished while the outer links are brushed. The bracelet is 19 mm at the case and tapers to 17 mm at the buckle.
The latest Aqua Terra 150M 38, as its name suggests is depth rated to 150 meters, which is 50 meters more than Rolex’s comparable Oyster Perpetual (which comes in 24 mm, 36 mm, and 41 mm case diameters). Rolex does not currently offer a 38 mm Oyster Perpetual, so while there are similarities between this collection and the Oyster Perpetual, case size and water resistance are two areas where they differ. The Aqua Terra also has more resistance to magnetism, although both have highly rated movements that exceed COSC chronometer specifications. Although similar, none of the dial colors are exactly the same as the Oyster Perpetuals either. Another difference, good or bad (depending on who you ask), is the Oyster Perpetual has no date and the Aqua Terra does have a date.
Costing $300 more than the existing 38 mm and 41 mm Aqua Terras (which go for $5,700), or $150 less than a Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41. At a retail price of $6,000 the new Omega Aqua Terra 150M 38 is priced $600 higher than the even more advanced and robust Seamaster 300M that launched alongside the new Aqua Terra, which perhaps makes the 300M the ultimate deal from Omega this year, yet it does not take away from the value of the Aqua Terra as a formidable alternative to the Oyster Perpetual 41 mm, due to it’s higher specifications, lower price, and actual availability for purchase.
Learn more at Omega.
Photo by Omega.
