Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra

Long time coming. Announced in Basel 2008 nine months ago, the new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is now feature in Omega's website. Hopefully, we will see it in the stores soon.

The new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. The heart of the new Seamaster Aqua Terra is the upgrade of the new movement. The new Seamaster Aqua Terra will be available with the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500/8501, instead of the Omega Co-Axial calibre 2500 used in previous model of the Seamaster Aqua Terra.

The Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500/8501 was first released to the public in 2007 in the Omega De Ville Hour Vision. It is a self-winding movement manufactured by Omega completely in-house. The older Omega Co-Axial calibre 2500 is a modified version of the ETA 2892. We are not clear on all the advantages the newer in-house calibre 8500/8501 has over the ETA derived calibre 2500. We do know that the calibre 8500/8501 has a longer power reserve of 60 hours, versus th 48 hour power reserve of the calibre 2500. Both movements produce 25,200 vibrations per hour.

Appearance. The new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra follows the design of the existing Seamaster Aqua Terra's in Omega's lie-up. It is more of an evolution of the line rather than a radical change. The new watch will come in two case sizes: 41.5 mm and 38.5mm. The 38.5 mm cases can also be ordered with the OMEGA quartz calibre 1538 instead of the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500/8501. All versions are water resistant to 150 meters.

The 41.5 mm models are available in 18-Ct red gold, stainless steel or blended (18-Ct red gold and stainless steel) cases and matching bracelets. The 18-Ct red gold case is also offered with a brown alligator leather strap. The 38.5 mm Co-Axial models come in 18-Ct red gold, 18-Ct yellow gold, stainless steel or blended (18-Ct red or 18-Ct yellow gold with stainless steel) and matching bracelets. There are also 18-Ct red gold and 18-Ct yellow gold versions with brown alligator leather straps. The 38.5 mm case with the quartz movement is available in stainless steel with a stainless steel bracelet.

The 18-Ct gold and the blended models have grey "Teck Concept" dials highlighted with vertical lines; the stainless steel watches are offered with a choice of Teck grey or Teck opaline silver dials. Those with 18-Ct red or 18-Ct yellow gold have brushed and polished hands and hour markers in matching colours; brushed and polished 18-Ct white gold hands and hour markers complete the automatic stainless steel versions. The brushed and polished hands and hour markers are coated with a powerful new white Super-LumiNova.

About Co-Axial escapements. The escape is the heart of a mechanical watch. It generates the impulses that makes the entire mechanism move. The metal to metal contact of the parts in a mechanical watch eventually results in wear and tear which requires maintenance and in the long term, results in a depredation of the accuracy of the wrist watch.

To reduce wear and tear on the watch mechanism, Dr. George Daniel invented the double Co-Axial escapement. The Co-Axial system reduces sliding friction compared with the lever escapement and thus ensures greater accuracy over time. This means that the escapement requires virtually no lubrication and a drastic reduction in the wear and tear of the watches mechanism.

About Omega SA. The forerunner of Omega was founded 1848, by Louis Brandt. The name Omega was first used in 1894. It was used as the name of one of the Louis Brandt brother’s watch movement calibers.