Introducing: The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra With A Gradient Turquoise Dial
Well, 2024 has been quite a year for Omega, hasn’t it? The brand fulfilled its role as the official timekeeper of the Paris Olympics with verve. In the meantime, it also presented numerous special-edition watches. But somehow, it seems Omega just can’t stop unveiling new references. Right now, it’s in the middle of a strong sprint toward the end of the year. We saw various new iterations of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M last month, and last week, we finally saw the consumer version of the new Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified. There was quite some buzz around all these releases, but one that went a little under the radar was the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra with a gradient turquoise dial. Let’s take a quick look and give it some much-deserved attention.
This summer, Omega released a very classy new trio of Seamaster Aqua Terra models with glossy black dials and contrasting hardware. Those versions look sporty but also wouldn’t be out of place on more formal occasions. The gradient turquoise models we’re looking at today most definitely feel more informal and sportier than that popular earlier release.
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Turquoise
Unlike those black versions (which also included a 34mm model), the new turquoise ones are only available in 38mm and 41mm sizes. The 38mm model has a 45mm lug-to-lug and a 12.5mm thickness, while the 41mm model packs a 48mm length and a 13.3mm profile. Other than the size, both watches look identical. The stainless steel case has an all-polished finish, while the three-row bracelet has brushed outer links and polished center links.
That bracelet comes with a push-button-operated butterfly clasp that features what Omega calls a “comfort setting.” This means it allows for on-the-fly toolless micro-adjustment. It’s handy for those warmer days when your wrist expands a bit. However, it does leave a not-so-elegant gap between the link and the clasp. Both sizes have a screw-down crown, which helps keep the water resistance at a very acceptable 150 meters.
Independently adjustable hour hand or quick-set date
The 38mm and 41mm sizes come with different movements. A lot of the characteristics are similar. They’re both self-winding METAS-certified Master Chronometers, which are antimagnetic to 15,000 gauss and feature a Co-Axial escapement. However, there are also some differences. Perhaps the most notable one is that the 8800 movement inside the 38mm model features a quick-set date, but the 8900 movement inside the 41mm model features an independent quick-set hour hand. Other differences include the power reserve of either 55 or 60 hours and the total of either 35 or 39 jewels, but those are less noticeable day to day. Both movements run at a frequency of 25,200vph.
Gradient turquoise dial
And then we get to the turquoise dial, which is the most distinct feature of these new Aqua Terras. I’m not sure if there have been other Aqua Terra models with gradient dials in the past, but these are the only ones in the current lineup. Another thing to note is that there’s no sunburst texture or other kind of relief, unlike many other Aqua Terra models. The base of the dial is turquoise, and it becomes darker toward the edges. The bright turquoise minute track contrasts nicely with the darker background. All the hardware, including the hour markers, hands, and date window, received a gray PVD treatment. The darker shade works well together with the gradient turquoise dial and gives the elegant Seamaster Aqua Terra a sportier look.
Before making my verdict, I’d love to see this new dial in person first. I’m usually not a big fan of blacked-out watches or hardware. Here, though, the latter might work. I do like how different these turquoise versions look from other models in the collection.
The new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M with a gradient turquoise dial costs CHF 6,300 / €7,300 / US$6,600 in either size. That’s comparable to similar current Aqua Terra models.
Let me know in the comments below what you think of these two additions to Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra lineup.
