15 years ago, in designing the ultimate ‘everyday’ watch (thus avoiding the faux pas of a dive watch wearing spy in tuxedo), Omega sought muse in two Latin words “Aqua” and “Terra”. A descriptive moniker which evoked imagery of a luxurious lifestyle on the decks of ships yet capable of plumbing the depths of oceans should the mood (or situation) arise, thus the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra became synonymous as a “complete lifestyle watch”.
Aqua Terra expresses the versatility of a dress watch while carrying aloft the heritage of the Seamaster range, over time, it became one of Omega’s quintessential pieces and today, after a limited production of a Master Co-Axial Chronometer model made specially for James Bond during his Spectre mission, a wide selection of new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra models has been produced for 2017, aesthetically and technologically updated with a refreshing new look and a new series production Master Co-Axial Chronometer calibre.
New Luxury Watch: Seamaster Aqua Terra gents’ collection
Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra has always provided the perfect balance between sophistication and ocean spirit. In terms of design, the blend of city chic and ocean robustness was seamless; ever stylish, the Aqua Terra cases were crafted with twisted and facetted lugs that recalled the OMEGA designs from the 1960s.
The launch of the Seamaster Aqua Terra in 2002 also marked the first time that a Co-Axial movement had been used in a collection other than the De Ville family and therefore represented a major new development in the Seamaster collection.
In 2008, the “teak pattern” marketed as features inspired by the teak floors of luxury yachts but seriously, a subtle homage to the vintage 1950s Seamaster Geneve, entered the Aqua Terra collection’s design lexicon. By 2013, Omega saw fit to introduce the Seamaster Aqua Terra >15,000 gauss, a model which eschewed the traditional “faraday cage” of magnetic protection and now instead, made use of selected non-ferrous materials in the movement itself, guaranteeing magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss.
In this new Seamaster Aqua Terra collection, some of the most popular features have been subtly transformed: the teak patterns on the dial now run horizontally, as opposed to vertically, And all new Aqua Terra watches are now certified Master Chronometers, available in 41mm or 38 mm.
Other notable features of the new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra include:
- A new symmetrical case design for a beautifully balanced look
- New conical crown
- A cleaner dial,with the “water-resistance” indication now moved to the caseback.
- Date window has been moved from 3 to 6 o’clock for better symmetry
- Some 41mm models feature a rubber strap, new to the Aqua Terra, which is integrated to the case by an additional stainless steel or 18K Sedna
gold link. - Metal bracelets have also been redesigned to achieve a better integration with the case.
This suits wearers with slimmer wrists. They also include hardened links and a patented screw and pin system. - New wave pattern on the caseback.
- All Driven by the Master Chronometer calibre 8900 I 8901(41mm) or 8800 (38 mm), all certified at the industry’s highest standard for precision, performance and magnetic resistance.
Pricing and availability for Seamaster Aqua Terra Gents
Available at all Omega authorised retailers, Seamaster Aqua Terra 41mm Gents Price Ranges from S$7,600 for steel on leather – S$40,500 for gold on gold bracelet
Seamaster Aqua Terra Ladies
Seamaster Aqua Terra 38mm Ladies Price Ranges from S$8,850 for steel on steel bracelet – S$32,850 for gold on bracelet
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer Master Chronometer Limited Edition
Delivered in platinum, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer Master Chronometer Limited Edition is rumoured to be the first in a potentially new series of Aqua Terra Worldtimers.
If the majesty of the “grand feu” enamel world map in the centre of the dial doesn’t immediately define this new Seamaster Aqua Terra as something beyond the realm of the standard Aqua Terra collection, the exposed frosted dial fringing the world map in vitreous enamel, will. The platinum case made distinctive with contrast 18K yellow gold hands and hour markers are.
Equipped with a cal. 8939 calibre with patented alloys and a magnetic resistance of over 15,000 Gauss, Omega’s new Aqua Terra Worldtimer is similarly Master Chronometer certified like the other models in the series. Within this latest platinum Aqua Terra, many of the components have been changed to meet the material requirements of the new platinum Aqua Terra Worldtimer – a reflection of its ultra-luxurious settings, Omega has opted to replace some of the brass components like the distinctive balance wheel bridge with an 18K gold version.
Aesthetically, the new Seamaster Aqua Terra beckons you to dive into the lush enamel dial with sand blasted platinum-gold and features 18K yellow gold indexes and hands that are coated in Super LumiNova. In terms of functionality, a circle of global destinations printed in red (GMT), black (+1h in summer) or blue (places without daylight savings) functions as a fixed cities disc while the 24-hour home time wheel rotates. Omega also performs some branding ‘sleight of hand’ by swapping Paris and Geneva, cities which traditionally represent GMT +1 and instead, replaced it with Bienne, the home of Omega.
The 43 mm symmetrical case is made from platinum-gold and includes a mix of polished and brushed surfaces. On the reverse side, there is a wave-edged design and several engravings including each unique Limited Edition number. The timepiece is water resistant up to 15 bar (150m I 500ft) and comes presented on a brown leather strap with a platinum-gold foldover clasp.
Aqua Terra Worldtimer Master Chronometer Limited Edition Price and Availability
Only 87 editions of this watch have been produced, the Aqua Terra Worldtimer Master Chronometer Limited Edition is priced SG$67,500 and is available on request at any authorised Omega retailer.
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