Omega has its second lacquered home run with new Aqua Terra collection
Zach Blass- Omega introduces three Seamaster Aqua Terra watches with glossy black lacquer dials.
- This new configuration is available in 34mm, 38mm, and 41mm sizes.
- The bracelet features a new easy-comfort extension system for its butterfly clasp.
Normally, I would not encourage brands to do what some would perceive as boring or straight-forward. Lately, however, Omega has proven that less is indeed more, and that you do not have to reinvent the wheel with each new release. Back in March, Omega used this strategy introducing the first-ever regular production white-dial Speedmaster Moonwatch. To be fair, the execution of its white lacquer dial is more complex than you might think – that being said, in a watch industry that seems to be in its colour experimentation era, it is interesting how a new white dial could be so piercing. People went rightfully nuts over this white Speedy. Now, perhaps as a yin to the Speedmaster white-lacquered dial yang, Omega recently debuted a new trio of black-lacquered Seamaster Aqua Terra watches. And the watch community appears to be head over heels with this launch.
First, Omega aptly introduced this crisp, clean, black-lacquered take on the Aqua Terra in a range of sizes, with 34mm, 38mm, and 41mm models available depending on your preference. As we have seen in the past, the 34mm model has a softened and rounded approach for its applied hour indices and date window framing.
The 38mm and 41mm models pivot to a shaper form, the hour indices triangular in shape and the date window trapezoidal in shape. They also add a printed minutes track to the outer perimeter. All of the dial elements are crafted in white gold regardless of style, their lustre really popping against the void of the black lacquer. All hands and indices use SuperLuminova as well. It is important to note that in the same manner that Omega charges a bit more for the white-lacquered Speedmaster, these lacquered Aqua Terras are US$300 more than their teak dial counterparts.
Sticklers of how a watch fits on their wrist will love the news that these Aqua Terra watches use the newer rolled link bracelet, with narrower brushed links flanking a broader polished centre link. The bracelet features a new easy-comfort system that allows you to change the size of the bracelet on each side of the butterfly clasp. In the image above, where you see the letters “L” and “S”, are two triggers that allow you to slide and reposition where the folding arm is anchored. This can be done on both sides – a nice solution that does not disrupt the elegant look of the bracelet.
While the 34mm and 38mm models use the in-house, automatic 8800 movement, the 41mm model is driven by the 8900. Both calibres are Co-Axial Master Chronometers, so you are getting a top-notch movement either way, the 8900 simply offers five more hours of power reserve. With the 34mm and 38mm Aqua Terra using the same movement, the exhibition of the 8800 assumes nearly the full caseback on the smaller model, leaving a much thicker frame on the larger configuration – something only the most niche enthusiasts might gripe about.
It may seem like I am being overly excited about this launch – c’mon Zach, it’s just a black dial. But with the previous models offering the teak striations or, in the case of the Shades collection, sunburst finishes, this black lacquer model hopefully opens the door for Omega to explore more coloured lacquer dials for the Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M range. The clean and crisp aesthetic of milky lacquer dials just have that X factor, and in a world where Stella-inspired Oyster Perpetuals took the watch community by storm, I imagine such a coloured lacquer collection of Aqua Terra models has bestseller potential for Omega. The range is available in multiple sizes, and the new easy-comfort bracelet elevates the fit quality that much more.
I know I keep harping on Omega’s relationship with the Olympic Games, but had Omega introduced a range of lacquer dials for each colour of the rings of the Olympic flag, I can imagine just how feral the watch community would go for such a range. Returning to these black dial beauts though, do they all not scream perfect one-watch collection?
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M black lacquer dial pricing & availability
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M black lacquer dials are all available now for purchase. Price: US$6,600
| Brand | Omega |
| Model | Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M |
| Reference | 220.10.41.21.01.002 220.10.38.20.01.004 220.10.34.20.01.001 |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13.4mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) 38mm (D) x 12.3mm (T) x 45.1mm (LTL) 34mm (D) x 12mm (T) x 40.5mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 150 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Black lacquer |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet, easy-comfort butterfly clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 8800, in-house, automatic, METAS, Co-Axial (34mm, 38mm) Calibre 8900, in-house, automatic, METAS, Co-Axial (41mm) |
| Power Reserve | 55 hours (8800) 60 hours (8900) |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$6,600 |