Chrono24 Omega Aqua Terra 38.5 Black

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Sports Watch

The Aqua Terra plays a special role in the Seamaster collection. It's Omega's most robust everyday watch, able to withstand depths to 150 m (492 ft). Thanks to its modern Master Co-Axial caliber, strong magnetic fields are no match for this model.

A Mix of Dress Watch and Diving Watch

The timepieces of the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra collection combine the elegance of dress watches with the durability of diving watches. A screw-down crown and case back provide this model with 150 m (15 bar, 492 ft) of water resistance. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer also coats the hands and indices in luminous material so you can always tell the time, even under poor lighting conditions. The triangular hour markers and arrow-tipped minute hand are classic Seamaster features and draw comparisons to the iconic Seamaster 300.

However, unlike its legendary sister model, the Aqua Terra lacks a diving bezel. Instead, a narrow and – in most instances – polished ring runs around the dial's edge. It also features a beautifully patterned dial that resembles the deck of a yacht. The final result is simple, sporty, and elegant and pairs as well with a suit as it does with a polo shirt. With cases ranging from 28 to 43 mm in diameter, there is something for every taste and size. Omega also offers the 49.2-mm Aqua Terra XXL Small Seconds for those looking for something particularly hefty.

The Omega Aqua Terra line is incredibly diverse. For example, there are models with cases and bracelets made of stainless steel or yellow or rose gold, as well as two-tone editions that combine 18-karat gold and stainless steel. In 2020, the company also launched the "Ultra Light" series with titanium cases, dials, and movement components.

This variety of options also applies to the complications. In addition to three-hand watches, you'll find models with a chronograph, GMT function, or a world time display that can show the time in 24 time zones at once. Omega outfits most Aqua Timers with automatic calibers that feature co-axial escapements. This mechanism is low maintenance and highly resistant to magnetic fields. The manufacturer also offers especially small women's watches with quartz ETA calibers.

Prices at a Glance: Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra

Model	Price (approx.)	Material, size, caliber
Aqua Terra Worldtimer, 220.93.43.22.99.001	53,500 USD	Platinum, 43 mm, Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Aqua Terra GMT, 231.50.43.22.06.002	28,500 USD	Rose gold, 43 mm, Co-Axial
Aqua Terra GMT Chronograph, 231.20.43.52.06.001	11,500 USD	Gold & stainless steel, 43 mm, Co-Axial
Aqua Terra GoodPlanet GMT, 231.90.43.22.04.001	7,400 USD	Titanium, 43 mm, Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Aqua Terra 007 Spectre, 231.10.42.21.03.004	6,400 USD	Stainless steel, 41.5 mm, Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Aqua Terra 30, 231.20.30.20.06.004	5,200 USD	Stainless steel & rose gold, 30 mm, Co-Axial
Aqua Terra > 15,000 Gauss, 231.12.42.21.01.001	4,200 USD	Stainless steel, 41.5 mm, Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Aqua Terra, 2577.50.00	1,500 USD	Stainless steel, 36 mm, quartz

How much does a Seamaster Aqua Terra cost?

The Aqua Terra is among Omega's most comprehensive watch collections and, thus, covers a wide range of prices. Older stainless steel models with quartz calibers are especially affordable. For example, you can find small women's watches on Chrono24 for between 1,400 and 1,600 USD. Larger men's watches generally only cost a few hundred dollars more. If you're interested in a three-hand Aqua Terra with one of Omega's Co-Axial calibers, be prepared to spend anywhere from 3,000 to 5,100 USD depending on the size, material, and condition.

In 2015, Omega introduced the first watches with Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibers. These movements are highly accurate and resistant to magnetism and shocks. Today, you can find Aqua Terra models with this technology. Three-hand editions in stainless steel cost roughly 4,300 USD new and 3,100 USD pre-owned. A mint-condition timepiece with diamonds will set you back around 12,000 USD, though you can save a few hundred dollars by purchasing a used watch instead. On the upper end of the price range, you'll find three-hand models either made of Omega's rose gold alloy, Sedna gold, or from the Ultra Light series. The former change hands for about 24,000 USD. Ultra Light timepieces come in titanium and weigh a total of 55 g. You can call one of these spectacular watches your own for around 48,000 USD. Since this series is so new, pre-owned versions are still fairly uncommon.

Prices for Chronographs and GMT Watches

Omega also offers the Aqua Terra with various complications. Of these models, the Aqua Terra GMT Chronograph is especially well equipped. It comes with a stopwatch function and second time zone in addition to its date display. The extra time zone shares a subdial with the small seconds at 9 o'clock. There's also a minute counter at 3 o'clock and a date at 6. The stainless steel version of this 43-mm watch will set you back about 6,400 USD in mint condition and 5,300 USD pre-owned. Prices for two-tone examples in stainless steel and rose gold range from 9,200 to 12,000 USD. Omega also produces a model in solid 18-karat Sedna gold. While its list price is 42,000 USD, this watch changes hands for only 31,500 USD on Chrono24.

Until 2018, the Swiss brand also manufactured chronographs with three subdials: a minute counter at 3, an hour counter at 6, and a small seconds at 9 o'clock. These timepieces get their power from either the caliber 3303 or 3313, both of which are based on the same Frédéric Piguet movement. The 42-mm stainless steel edition is easy to recognize by the position of its date display at 6 o'clock, and costs around 4,500 USD. Its 44-mm sister model features its date between 4 and 5 o'clock and sells for about 5,400 USD. The same watch with a two-tone design requires an investment of roughly 5,800 USD. All three versions cost several hundred dollars less in used condition.

If you're looking for a sporty dress watch with a GMT function, you may enjoy the Aqua Terra GMT. This 43-mm watch takes everything that makes the three-hand edition so popular and adds a 24-hour hand for displaying the time in a second time zone. Prices for this GMT watch range from 5,700 USD for a stainless steel model and 9,600 USD for a two-tone version to 29,000 USD in solid 18-karat rose gold. Depending on the exact edition, prices for pre-owned pieces fall between 3,800 and 24,500 USD.

Special Models: Golf, James Bond, and World Time Watches

As is the case in most collections, Omega has released numerous Aqua Terra special editions. The Aqua Terra >15,000 Gauss is one such timepiece. It was the first watch to feature technology and materials now present in all of the Swiss manufacturer's Master Chronometer calibers. You can recognize this watch by its black and yellow striped second hand and the yellow ">15'000 GAUSS" inscription above 6 o'clock. Be sure to set aside around 4,200 USD for this anti-magnetic timepiece on a leather strap. The version on a stainless steel bracelet costs between 4,000 and 5,200 USD.

The limited-edition Aqua Terra 007 Spectre has an almost identical construction. This model debuted in 2015 in honor of the 24th entry in the James Bond film franchise, "Spectre." The dial is embellished with the repeatedly interlocked Bond family coat of arms, and its second hand is solid yellow. Furthermore, the 007 logo is integrated into the ">15'000 GAUSS" inscription. This watch is limited to 15,007 pieces, and has a price point of about 6,400 USD in mint condition and 5,800 USD used.

Omega decided on light and robust titanium when crafting the GoodPlanet series. These watches pay tribute to the GoodPlanet Foundation, an ecology and sustainable development NGO. You can choose between two models: a 38.5-mm three-hand version and a 43-mm GMT edition with a fourth hand that displays the time in a second time zone. You'll need to have around 7,400 USD on hand for the GMT model and about 4,300 USD for the variant with three hands. Prices for used watches vary by condition and range from 4,000 to 6,100 USD.

The Aqua Terra Golf is yet another special edition. While technically identical to the standard model, it has numerous green elements that contrast nicely against the black dial. These details include the second hand; the "Seamaster" inscription; and the 15, 30, 45, and 60 markers on the minute track. A black and green NATO strap completes the look. Those who dislike this color combination may prefer the version with a pale dial and orange accents. The green edition requires an investment of roughly 4,700 USD, while the orange variant costs around 4,900 USD. You can save about 720 USD by purchasing either watch pre-owned.

The Aqua Terra Worldtimer

One particularly exceptional model is the Aqua Terra Worldtimer – the first Omega watch to feature a world-time display. This 43-mm timepiece's most striking detail is the enamel Earth at the center of its dial. A 24-hour scale surrounds the Earth, which itself sits within a sandblasted platinum dial. Each time zone is represented by the name of a famous city. Those that participate in daylight savings are black, and those that do not are blue.

To date, Omega has produced three versions of the Aqua Terra Worldtimer. The 2017 platinum edition is highly exclusive and had a limited run of only 87 pieces. You can call this timepiece your own for about 53,500 USD. The 2019 model with a Sedna gold case and bracelet is much less expensive at 35,000 USD. The most affordable Worldtimer also debuted in 2019. It features a stainless steel case and blue rubber bracelet. This watch demands around 8,600 USD. All three models remain rare sights on the pre-owned market.

High-Tech & Anti-Magnetic

Magnetic fields pose a serious threat to mechanical movements. They can cause components, such as the balance spring, to "stick together," thus significantly affecting the watch's precision. In addition to the permanent magnets in flip charts and refrigerators, electromagnetic fields can also take their toll. Magnetic fields are almost unavoidable: They're in headphones, smartphones, tablets, speakers, and even induction cookers, to name just a few.

Manufacturers have been protecting their calibers against magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss using soft iron cages since the 1930s. However, Omega went in a different direction with their Aqua Terra >15,000 Gauss. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer opted for anti-magnetic materials to guarantee chronometer-level accuracy even when exposed to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. The balance spring is made of anti-magnetic silicon and swings freely in a titanium balance wheel, which is also resistant to magnetism. What's more, Omega's engineers were able to create a silicon escape wheel as well.

Omega has all their Master Chronometer calibers tested and certified for magnetic resistance and accuracy by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).

Chrono24 Omega Aqua Terra 38.5 Black

Source: https://www.chrono24.com/omega/seamaster-aqua-terra--mod68.htm