Omega continues its trickle of summer releases with the Aqua Terra 150M Turquoise, which has its smoked turquoise dial now matched with a black ceramic bezel for a cohesive look.

Available in both 38 mm and 41 mm formats, the new Aqua Terra is pricier and arguably less versatile than the standard Aqua Terra, yet is strongly appealing – is the blue worth the green?

Initial Thoughts

The ceramic mania that gripped the industry a few years ago has cooled, but the material is here to stay, and this example is all the better for it. We’ve already seen this dial on a pair of bracelet-borne Aqua Terra earlier this year. Now it’s back with an integrated rubber strap and complementary black ceramic bezel.

Even though this lacks the bracelet of the all-steel version, it’s more expensive, priced at about US$1,000 over the steel model on a bracelet. The retail price of US$7,300 is still affordable, and acceptable given the level of quality, but the value proposition is less clear.

While the Aqua Terra’s boardwalk-to-boardroom versatility makes it a prime candidate for someone’s sole, “go anywhere, do anything” watch, the exotic colour palette and lack of a bracelet rule it out as such for most people. Instead, I imagine Omega is targeting brand fans who are less price-sensitive looking for a summer watch. Even for an owner of more than one Omega, the new Aqua Terra is different enough to make it interesting.

Deja Blue

While no longer novel, the fume turquoise dial remains striking as ever. The black gradient smoothly transitions to the DLC-blackened indices, and allows the turquoise minute track to pop. The hands match the indices, which match the bezel, which matches the strap – which has turquoise accents to bring everything full circle.

Even the lume, Super-LumiNova BGW9, glows blue-green, though this is the same lume as on other Aqua Terras, and only complementary by coincidence. The only detail out of place is the steel crown, which is typically matched to the bezel in two-tone watches, but not here.

Since other Aqua Terras with the same cases wear well, these will too; the lyre lugs are compact and the rubber strap dives down, so the two case sizes should cover almost everyone.

The jewel-like flared crown is another ergonomic highlight, being very easy to manipulate, which is important for a screw down crown.

Movement

It’s no secret Omega’s pricing has crept upwards in the past few years, but you still get a lot for your money, at least movement wise, thanks to Swatch Group’s cutting edge technology and economies of scale.

The 41 mm model uses cal. 8900, a large automatic with an independently adjustable hour hand (handy for globe trotters) and 60 hours of power reserve from two barrels. The 38 mm employs the cal. 8800, a mid-sized movement with 55 hours of power reserve.

Both are equipped with Omega’s Co-Axial escapement, and perhaps more importantly, a free sprung titanium balance on silicon hairspring, resulting in excellent chronometric performance, and near immunity to magnetism. The movements are workhorses, but well groomed ones, with pleasing arabesque striping and a cohesive black and silver palette.

Key facts and price

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M
Ref. 220.32.38.20.03.001 (38 mm)
Ref. 220.32.41.21.03.001 (41 mm)

Diameter: 38 mm or 41 mm
Height: 12.36 mm (38 mm); 13.26 mm (41 mm)
Material: Steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 150 m

Movement: Cal. 8800 (38 mm); cal. 8900 (41 mm)
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Frequency: 25,200 beats per hour (3.5 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 55 hours (38 mm); 60 hours (41 mm)

Strap: Black rubber with steel clasp

Limited edition: No
Availability: At Omega boutiques and retailers
Price: US$7,300

For more, visit omegawatches.com.