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leopardprey · 24 October 2007, 02:07 PM

Know this link has been posted before by SLR Dude, but thought wold post it again. Type of Review I like reading about a watch, tested in a real adventure!!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/16962...ng+ruggedness+...

Starting to think that the Omega Aqua Terra may be just the perfect watch I have been looking for.

Larger in size than a Datejust, at your choice of 39mm or 42mm.

Rated to 150 meters for WR.

AR coated crystal on the inside.

Good visibility of the dial/hands.

Simple movement, only Time and Date.

See through back case.

Co-Axial movement, more time between service intervals

Cermaic Ball Bearing Rotar

Very comfortable, well smoothed out Bracelet and clasp

Decent price $2000 - $3000

3 year warranty

IMHO much better watch, due to above features, than Rolex.

Chimpy · 24 October 2007, 02:46 PM

I love my Aqua Terra, it is the first and only high end watch I own (looking for a datejust or sub to fit my fancy right now). Here are my thoughts. I purchased it from an Authorized dealer in February of 2007.

I have the 36mm flavor being that I am cursed with small wrists (I believe). I was obsessed with Omega at first (and actually had a die-hard anti-Rolex thing... don't know what i was smoking), not because of Bond, The Olympics or Shuttle, but because their designs turned me on the most.

The authorized dealer and they had to special order it. The msrp at the time was $2800, and it was sold to me for $2100. I received the large leather box, leather placard holder, and hangtags etc.

I work as a restaurant manager, and this watch sees gruelling service all day long. It gets banged against metal, covered in grease, sprayed with sanitizer, exposed to scorching heat and freezing cold on a continual basis. (I was really trying not to cry when it got it's first scratch).

I also am an avid shooter. Saturday mornings are spent at the gun range, firing weapons from .38 handguns, 44 magnum, .50AE, .50bmg, .308, 5.56 and is subject to hours of intense recoil felt from numerous weapons.

I go swimming in my community pool about once a day for a couple hours, I run about 4 miles when I wake up.

The watch is never taken off my wrist, except for it's daily toothbrush scrub or to change the date/time, I sleep, shower, work, play, and yes, even have sex with my watch on.

My first month of having it was spent studying the Co-Axial's accuracy of time. It was synchronized with Microsoft's time server and within a period of 10 days, lost/gained 0 seconds, in 15 days had no difference, 20 days gained 1 second, and at the end of thirty had lost the one second it gained, again in synch with microsoft.

The markers and hands glow for what seems like forever, and are very visible in low light conditions, yet they aren't overbearing enough to say "any hand with that lume?".

The black on the dial is extremely deep, and one of the best finishes I have ever seen. The date is easily read even without magnification, and in my watch's case, the date background is almost perfectly matched to the dial to create an almost seamless interface.

The applied logos and markers are beautiful and add a great prestigous touch to it as well.
The anti-reflective coating does a great job, and the multiple facets of the dial, markers and hands are incredibly eye catching. And the Omega logo aligns perfectly strait with the crown completely screwed in.

The case back is nifty as well. the Co-Axial movement is beautiful. It is surrounded with the name, water resistance, and such. In the corner of a lug near the caseback is the serial number, minutely and legibly etched into the steel

The bracelet is very comfortable as well. I very much like the hidden clasp tained with the Omega logo, and against reports I've read that by bending the wrist it may have a tendency to just release, I have not experienced such in the tumultous adventures this watch has seen so far. It is very comfortable and comes supplied with 1/2 links as well if you need. However, the bracelet is the only thing I have had an issue with.

About 5 months into owning it, I went to take it off for cleaning, and upon releasing it, it fell to the floor (heart attack). Apparently the little bead of steel that holds the bracelets steel together on the clasp came off. I sent it to the Omega service center in New Jersey, who told me to expect a turn around time of 3-4 weeks. 2 weeks after my UPS tracking number reported the received it, I had my watch back in hand. The bracelet had been completely replaced, and every scratch removed (even a moderately deep one on the brushed steel side. You can imagine how thrilled I was that this didn't cost me a penny (minus shipping to them).

I also found out about Omega offering to send the COSC certificate to customers who had bought their product from an authorized dealer. I immediately looked into it, and found the e-mail of an after-sales service lady named Maria Mastrodono (sp?). After sending her an e-mail, she requested that all I do is take a closeup of the watch next to the warranty card with purchase date and my name that had the dealer's information. 2 weeks later, I recieved a letter sized envelope stamped from Bienne, Switzerland (and postage of $15!) that contained the COSC certificate in a protective plastic, a book of about 30 pages on the history of the Aqua Terra, and a hand signed thank-you card from Ms. Mastrodono.

If you need any convincing to buy an Aqua Terra, hope this did it for you, it's been 100% truth.

All in all, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't think twice about my Omega purchase, has been exemplary from start to current. And the only reason I want a Rolex is because they have a unique ability to have different things as far as a wide array of dials, bezel choice, and bracelet choices.

SLRdude · 24 October 2007, 02:56 PM

:c lap:

:cla p:

The AquaTerra Chronograph is my favorite watch, and I echo everything those two fine gents have said before me.

leopardprey · 24 October 2007, 04:09 PM

Chimpy, That is one of the best reviews I have read! Great report. Glad to see you are really happy with it!

The other thing I like is that the watch with the slightly domed crystal and the way the dial and hands are, gives the watch a slightly vintage look!

Also, does not scream out STATUS SYMBOL or STEAL MY WATCH as a Rolex does. Real stealth luxury watch!

leopardprey · 24 October 2007, 04:10 PM

SLR Dude, What is the diameter and the thickness of that AT Chrono? HAs see through back as well? WR? Take it swimming?

SLRdude · 24 October 2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leopardprey

SLR Dude, What is the diameter and the thickness of that AT Chrono? HAs see through back as well? WR? Take it swimming?

42.5mm.

About 14mm.

No see through back.

WR is 150m

Yes! Was in the Atlantic just this Sunday!

And it gained about 1 second in the past three weeks since I have been out of town for work.

haakon59 · 25 October 2007, 12:36 AM

Nice Aqua Terra reviews--amazing accuracy, wow! Thanks for telling us your experience with it.

kcmo · 25 October 2007, 01:56 AM

Fantastic review Chimpy! I'm fond of the AT line too!

Chimpy · 25 October 2007, 02:39 AM

Thank-you for the kind words guys.

I've always wanted to write reviews on things for a living, I think spellcheck issues aside, I'm not a bad writer!

Paulie · 25 October 2007, 03:06 AM

Not being able to get the COSC certificate is the one thing I miss when I purchased grey. But it was a decent deal.

Bracelet is my only complaint as well. Still working on getting the bracelet to fit well, removed a half link but need just a tad more, with the half in it was way too loose. They make a 3/4 link?

SLRdude · 25 October 2007, 03:25 AM

I think that the Chrono AT has a different type of a buckle than the non Chrono version.

scb · 7 January 2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLRdude

42.5mm.

what does that 42.5 mm measure? is the the whole case or just the dial?

SPACE-DWELLER · 7 January 2008, 01:09 AM

I like the A.T. but somehow I am not too fond of the "arrow hands". Sword hands with more lume on them would be nice, IMHO.

Otherwise a very nice watch, indeed!

Oh, is the sapphire crystal of the A.T. domed?

scb · 9 February 2008, 03:29 PM

got an aqua terra non chrono in the 39 mm size and I absolutely love it. it's sleek yet sporty at the same time

SLRdude · 10 February 2008, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I like the A.T. but somehow I am not too fond of the "arrow hands". Sword hands with more lume on them would be nice, IMHO.

Otherwise a very nice watch, indeed!

Oh, is the sapphire crystal of the A.T. domed?

Slightly domed, about as much as the Seamaster Pro.

AR on the inside.

vukotab · 10 February 2008, 04:58 AM

Aqua Terra rules!

SLRdude · 10 February 2008, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vukotab

Aqua Terra rules!

How about some macro?

Perdu · 10 February 2008, 09:09 AM

Two great reviews. It's always a pleasure hearing from people who are really happy with their watch choices.

kingblackbolt · 10 February 2008, 02:49 PM

Ryan that is a well thought out and well written review... thanx for sharing!

JBat · 10 February 2008, 04:10 PM

More great shots, Chip. Your macro work rocks! The second shot from the bottom is fantastic.

Ryan, great write-up.

At some point I will have the Aqua Terra. It's been on my radar a long time, I just haven't gotten around to buying it yet. I love its clean design.

SLRdude · 10 February 2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBat

More great shots, Chip. Your macro work rocks! The second shot from the bottom is fantastic.

.

Thanks Mate!
You can really see how flawless that dial really is!

kingblackbolt · 11 February 2008, 12:28 AM

Those are simply stunning watches, that dial is flawless and they are not common either... nice choice!

karmatp · 11 February 2008, 12:53 AM

I have been considering buying one of those and now I think I must, great review. I recently bought a 2254.50 SMP and can't take it off my wrist, I'll put my sub on in the morning and by lunch, I am changing to the seamaster, their that great. The AquaTerra is definitely my next purchase...

As far as the COSC cert. goes, how cool is that of Omega to do that for it's customers, that is something very special in today's market. I know Rolex did it back in the 60's or early 70's and you had to pay for it...

SLRdude · 11 February 2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingblackbolt

Those are simply stunning watches, that dial is flawless and they are not common either... nice choice!

my AT chrono will be 3 in April.

Possibly the one watch I will never sell.

kingblackbolt · 11 February 2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLRdude

my AT chrono will be 3 in April.

Possibly the one watch I will never sell.

Can't blame you for that one my friend... you'd have to buy new or on the bay as I hardly see the AT Chrono for sale used on the usual sites! Great macros by the way... show us some more!

SLRdude · 11 February 2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingblackbolt

show us some more!

OK! LOL

Here is a wallpaper I made. Took the pics with a point and shoot camera, about 2 years ago.

Here's another one... on the hood of my old car. (dirty car)

And something I don't see very often on the watch fora, a night shot that is NOT a lume shot.

sea-dweller · 11 February 2008, 02:35 PM

Nice Omega !

hoser · 2 May 2008, 05:05 PM

I thought the AT's did not have the Co-axial movement. Can someone clarify?

SLRdude · 2 May 2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

I thought the AT's did not have the Co-axial movement. Can someone clarify?

The non chrono versions are co-axial, Omega 2500.
The Chrono versions are non co-axial, Omega 3301 column wheel chronographs.

hoser · 3 May 2008, 02:03 AM

I've heard some buzz that the chrono will probably come out with a co-axial and they'll drop the current model. True?

24 October 2007, 02:07 PM	#1
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	Aqua Terra Review Know this link has been posted before by SLR Dude, but thought wold post it again. Type of Review I like reading about a watch, tested in a real adventure!! http://www.network54.com/Forum/16962...ng+ruggedness+... Starting to think that the Omega Aqua Terra may be just the perfect watch I have been looking for. Larger in size than a Datejust, at your choice of 39mm or 42mm. Rated to 150 meters for WR. AR coated crystal on the inside. Good visibility of the dial/hands. Simple movement, only Time and Date. See through back case. Co-Axial movement, more time between service intervals Cermaic Ball Bearing Rotar Very comfortable, well smoothed out Bracelet and clasp Decent price $2000 - $3000 3 year warranty IMHO much better watch, due to above features, than Rolex.

24 October 2007, 02:56 PM	#3
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	:c lap::cla p: The AquaTerra Chronograph is my favorite watch, and I echo everything those two fine gents have said before me. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

25 October 2007, 03:06 AM	#10
Paulie "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicagoland Watch: GMTII and OP! Posts: 1,272	Not being able to get the COSC certificate is the one thing I miss when I purchased grey. But it was a decent deal. Bracelet is my only complaint as well. Still working on getting the bracelet to fit well, removed a half link but need just a tad more, with the half in it was way too loose. They make a 3/4 link? __________________

25 October 2007, 03:25 AM	#11
SLRdude "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Real Name: Chip Location: Dallas TX Posts: 6,194	I think that the Chrono AT has a different type of a buckle than the non Chrono version. __________________ Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try. Yoda, Jedi Master CHIP Member # 87

7 January 2008, 01:09 AM	#13
SPACE-DWELLER "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Bo Location: Denmark Watch: Rolex, of course! Posts: 22,436	I like the A.T. but somehow I am not too fond of the "arrow hands". Sword hands with more lume on them would be nice, IMHO. Otherwise a very nice watch, indeed! Oh, is the sapphire crystal of the A.T. domed? __________________ With kind regards, Bo LocTite 221: The Taming Of The Screw...

24 October 2007, 02:46 PM	#2
Chimpy "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Ryan Location: New England Watch: Omega AT Posts: 61	I love my Aqua Terra, it is the first and only high end watch I own (looking for a datejust or sub to fit my fancy right now). Here are my thoughts. I purchased it from an Authorized dealer in February of 2007. I have the 36mm flavor being that I am cursed with small wrists (I believe). I was obsessed with Omega at first (and actually had a die-hard anti-Rolex thing... don't know what i was smoking), not because of Bond, The Olympics or Shuttle, but because their designs turned me on the most. The authorized dealer and they had to special order it. The msrp at the time was $2800, and it was sold to me for $2100. I received the large leather box, leather placard holder, and hangtags etc. I work as a restaurant manager, and this watch sees gruelling service all day long. It gets banged against metal, covered in grease, sprayed with sanitizer, exposed to scorching heat and freezing cold on a continual basis. (I was really trying not to cry when it got it's first scratch). I also am an avid shooter. Saturday mornings are spent at the gun range, firing weapons from .38 handguns, 44 magnum, .50AE, .50bmg, .308, 5.56 and is subject to hours of intense recoil felt from numerous weapons. I go swimming in my community pool about once a day for a couple hours, I run about 4 miles when I wake up. The watch is never taken off my wrist, except for it's daily toothbrush scrub or to change the date/time, I sleep, shower, work, play, and yes, even have sex with my watch on. My first month of having it was spent studying the Co-Axial's accuracy of time. It was synchronized with Microsoft's time server and within a period of 10 days, lost/gained 0 seconds, in 15 days had no difference, 20 days gained 1 second, and at the end of thirty had lost the one second it gained, again in synch with microsoft. The markers and hands glow for what seems like forever, and are very visible in low light conditions, yet they aren't overbearing enough to say "any hand with that lume?". The black on the dial is extremely deep, and one of the best finishes I have ever seen. The date is easily read even without magnification, and in my watch's case, the date background is almost perfectly matched to the dial to create an almost seamless interface. The applied logos and markers are beautiful and add a great prestigous touch to it as well. The anti-reflective coating does a great job, and the multiple facets of the dial, markers and hands are incredibly eye catching. And the Omega logo aligns perfectly strait with the crown completely screwed in. The case back is nifty as well. the Co-Axial movement is beautiful. It is surrounded with the name, water resistance, and such. In the corner of a lug near the caseback is the serial number, minutely and legibly etched into the steel The bracelet is very comfortable as well. I very much like the hidden clasp tained with the Omega logo, and against reports I've read that by bending the wrist it may have a tendency to just release, I have not experienced such in the tumultous adventures this watch has seen so far. It is very comfortable and comes supplied with 1/2 links as well if you need. However, the bracelet is the only thing I have had an issue with. About 5 months into owning it, I went to take it off for cleaning, and upon releasing it, it fell to the floor (heart attack). Apparently the little bead of steel that holds the bracelets steel together on the clasp came off. I sent it to the Omega service center in New Jersey, who told me to expect a turn around time of 3-4 weeks. 2 weeks after my UPS tracking number reported the received it, I had my watch back in hand. The bracelet had been completely replaced, and every scratch removed (even a moderately deep one on the brushed steel side. You can imagine how thrilled I was that this didn't cost me a penny (minus shipping to them). I also found out about Omega offering to send the COSC certificate to customers who had bought their product from an authorized dealer. I immediately looked into it, and found the e-mail of an after-sales service lady named Maria Mastrodono (sp?). After sending her an e-mail, she requested that all I do is take a closeup of the watch next to the warranty card with purchase date and my name that had the dealer's information. 2 weeks later, I recieved a letter sized envelope stamped from Bienne, Switzerland (and postage of $15!) that contained the COSC certificate in a protective plastic, a book of about 30 pages on the history of the Aqua Terra, and a hand signed thank-you card from Ms. Mastrodono. If you need any convincing to buy an Aqua Terra, hope this did it for you, it's been 100% truth. All in all, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't think twice about my Omega purchase, has been exemplary from start to current. And the only reason I want a Rolex is because they have a unique ability to have different things as far as a wide array of dials, bezel choice, and bracelet choices.

24 October 2007, 04:09 PM	#4
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	Chimpy, That is one of the best reviews I have read! Great report. Glad to see you are really happy with it! The other thing I like is that the watch with the slightly domed crystal and the way the dial and hands are, gives the watch a slightly vintage look! Also, does not scream out STATUS SYMBOL or STEAL MY WATCH as a Rolex does. Real stealth luxury watch!

24 October 2007, 04:10 PM	#5
leopardprey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Chad Location: Around the world Watch: Panerai 233 Posts: 4,204	SLR Dude, What is the diameter and the thickness of that AT Chrono? HAs see through back as well? WR? Take it swimming?

25 October 2007, 12:36 AM	#7
haakon59 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,571	Nice Aqua Terra reviews--amazing accuracy, wow! Thanks for telling us your experience with it.

25 October 2007, 01:56 AM	#8
kcmo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Karis Location: USA Posts: 19,377	Fantastic review Chimpy! I'm fond of the AT line too!

25 October 2007, 02:39 AM	#9
Chimpy "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Real Name: Ryan Location: New England Watch: Omega AT Posts: 61	Thank-you for the kind words guys. I've always wanted to write reviews on things for a living, I think spellcheck issues aside, I'm not a bad writer!

9 February 2008, 03:29 PM	#14
scb "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NY Posts: 4	got an aqua terra non chrono in the 39 mm size and I absolutely love it. it's sleek yet sporty at the same time

10 February 2008, 04:58 AM	#16
vukotab "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Real Name: Vukota Brajovi Location: Belgrade,Serbia Watch: ing movies! Posts: 3,812	Aqua Terra rules!

10 February 2008, 09:09 AM	#18
Perdu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Gary Location: GMT-6 Watch: GMT Posts: 3,350	Two great reviews. It's always a pleasure hearing from people who are really happy with their watch choices. __________________ Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500 Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter

10 February 2008, 02:49 PM	#19
kingblackbolt "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Ren Location: Toronto On Canada Posts: 1,886	Ryan that is a well thought out and well written review... thanx for sharing! __________________ “Hail to the king, baby" Ash (Army of Darkness 1992)

10 February 2008, 04:10 PM	#20
JBat "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: John Location: Washington Watch: 16710, 16610, DJ Posts: 7,329	More great shots, Chip. Your macro work rocks! The second shot from the bottom is fantastic. Ryan, great write-up. At some point I will have the Aqua Terra. It's been on my radar a long time, I just haven't gotten around to buying it yet. I love its clean design.

11 February 2008, 12:28 AM	#22
kingblackbolt "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Ren Location: Toronto On Canada Posts: 1,886	Those are simply stunning watches, that dial is flawless and they are not common either... nice choice! __________________ “Hail to the king, baby" Ash (Army of Darkness 1992)

11 February 2008, 12:53 AM	#23
karmatp "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Trevor Location: Arizona Posts: 5,740	I have been considering buying one of those and now I think I must, great review. I recently bought a 2254.50 SMP and can't take it off my wrist, I'll put my sub on in the morning and by lunch, I am changing to the seamaster, their that great. The AquaTerra is definitely my next purchase... As far as the COSC cert. goes, how cool is that of Omega to do that for it's customers, that is something very special in today's market. I know Rolex did it back in the 60's or early 70's and you had to pay for it...

11 February 2008, 02:35 PM	#27
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Nice Omega !

2 May 2008, 05:05 PM	#28
hoser Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CA Posts: 30	Co-axial? I thought the AT's did not have the Co-axial movement. Can someone clarify?

3 May 2008, 02:03 AM	#30
hoser Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CA Posts: 30	I've heard some buzz that the chrono will probably come out with a co-axial and they'll drop the current model. True?

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