Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Omega Aqua Terra Shades Collection, Including 2 New Solid Gold Models
Vibrant colours available in 34mm or 38mm, including two new 18k gold models.
If you’re a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you might remember this article from 2022. Indeed, the now-called Aqua Terra Shades Collection isn’t entirely new. It has been teased about a year ago when Omega presented 10 new models in its classic, time-and-date Seamaster collection, all adorned with colourful dials inspired by nature and newly-finished cases. However, two comments have to be expressed; first of all, some adjustments have been made, following some comments of the community; second, the watches are now officially available; third, new editions have been added to the lineup. And it’s time to have a look at the watches from the Aqua Terra Shades range, as they are now displayed in stores.
All the watches from this new sub-collection of the Seamaster Aqua Terra are based on the brand’s definition of an everyday watch – understand by that a watch that is sporty-chic, resilient, adapted to all situations and overall, handsome. The Aqua Terra might not be touted as a professional dive watch, but it offers the best of both worlds with its more than respectable 150m water-resistance, and yet a restrained elegance that makes it perfectly adapted to a business attire or a weekend trip. We’ve seen it, it’s a great expression of a one-watch collection. Last year, as a teaser of the future collection to come (and it’s now there), Omega introduced 10 new references, available in 34mm or 38mm, with a new finishing for the case and 9 colourful dials offering a dynamic, vibrant fresh look.
Paying tribute to its name, the Aqua Terra Shades collection follows the spectrum from ocean to earth, encompassing unique tones such as Atlantic Blue, Sandstone (this is the only one available for both sizes), Lagoon Green, Lavender or Terracotta. Sunray-brushed, with sleek lines and no pattern applied to their surface (one of the major differences with other watches from the Aqua Terra collection), these dials are the highlight of this collection. Each size – 34mm for a feminine audience, with rounded applied markers or 38mm as a unisex option, with sharper, triangular markers – has its own range of colours. The 34mm adopts refreshing tones, ranging from light blue to green or pink – Sea Blue, Lagoon Green, Sandstone, Shell Pink and Lavender. The 38mm version is, as you’d expect, more vibrant and slightly bolder, with earthy tones – Atlantic Blue, Bay Green, Sandstone, Saffron and Terracotta.
These sleek dials are from brass and then sun-brushed outwards from the centre. Each one is also given a layer of lacquer for extra depth. But of course, the true magic is in the colours. These are obtained thanks to Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) for earthy tones such as Terracotta, or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), for aquatic shades such as Sea Blue. As said, each size gets its own look, with different hands and markers, as well as its unique date window at 6 o’clock. And while we’re on the date aperture topic, one of the adjustments made by Omega was to add a metallic frame on the 38mm models, something that was absent in the inaugural presentation – and admittedly, a welcome improvement.
Another important fact about the Omega Aqua Terra Shades is that the watches adopt a unique case finishing, being entirely polished. The classic lyre-shaped lugs as well as the sides of the case aren’t brushed, as they would on a classic AT watch. Both the 34mm and 38mm models are worn on a 3-link, brushed and polished bracelet with redesigned links – smaller, more rounded – closed by a butterfly clasp. Inside the cases (34 or 38mm) and visible under the sapphire caseback is the in-house, automatic, Master Chronometer calibre 8800, a movement pairing exceptional resistance and accuracy with a 3.5Hz frequency and a 55-hour power reserve.
All 10 models from the steel Aqua Terra Shades collection are now available from boutiques and retailers, and priced at EUR 7,100.
Quick facts – 38mm – diameter 38mm, height 12.3mm, lug-to-lug 44.9mm – steel case, polished, sapphire crystals, screw-in crown, 150m water-resistance – sunray-brushed dial, applied markers and hands – calibre 8800, in-house, METAS-certified chronometer, antimagnetic, 55h power reserve, 3.5Hz frequency – steel bracelet, folding clasp
Quick facts – 34mm – diameter 34mm, height 11.9mm, lug-to-lug 40.5mm – steel case, polished, sapphire crystals, 150m water-resistance – sunray-brushed dial, applied markers and hands – calibre 8800, in-house, METAS-certified chronometer, antimagnetic, 55h power reserve, 3.5Hz frequency – steel bracelet, folding clasp
The new 18k gold Aqua Terra Shades
Additionally, Omega is releasing two new models crafted from solid gold. The first watch is a 34mm edition (reference 220.53.34.20.10.001) that is made of 18k Moonshine gold – Omega’s own yellow gold alloy, known for its pale tones and high resistance to fading – paired here with a dial that is sun-brushed and lacquered, and the CVD-treated in lagoon green. The polished case is worn on a matching green strap with a gold folding clasp, with rounded markers on the dial. Inside is the calibre 8801, the luxurious version of the movement mentioned above (18k gold rotor and balance bridge). This version is priced at EUR 18,100.
The other model is a 38mm edition in Sedna gold – Omega’s own red gold alloy with warm tones and superior resistance to fading – that is adorned with a bezel paved in 46 diamonds. The dial is here CVD-treated and presented in a sandstone colour, to match the tone of the case. Contrary to all other 38mm versions, this Sedna-cased watch features rounded markers and a circular date window. It is worn on a solid gold bracelet with a butterfly clasp and powered by the automatic calibre 8801. This reference 220.55.38.20.09.001 is priced at EUR 42,800.
For more details about the Omega Aqua Terra Shades collection, please visit www.omegawatches.com.
9 responses
Still waiting for a no date model!
How come the 34 is so much thinner than the 38? Isn‘t that …
This is a bit disappointing Omega. First you don’t frame with date window the first iteration of these colored dials. Now you frame the date window but don’t upgrade to the better 8900 movement for the 38mm models. The big difference between the 8800 and 8900 movement that is so great is that the 8900 has the independent hour change function.
They provide this movement on the 41mm models and it looks like that movement would fit this size.
The Sedna gold rotor and balance bridge on the Moonshine gold case model looks really out of place.
And still no quick micro-adjustment for the clasp, come on Omega, at this price…..
First Omega I’ve seen for many years that I would consider buying. They mostly have horrible dials and/or no date. But looking at the recent massive price rises unjustified for any reason other than to squeeze every extra penny they can from their customers I’d be a mug to buy one
Having now seen all the 38mm models in my local Omega Boutique this watch seems like a missed opportunity. The dials are said to be the main attraction and are stunning in real life, but for the date window. I have no issues with a date window, a date window surround or the calendar complication but when the dial is the main attraction it is dumb to have a white date wheel rather than a colour matched date wheel. If Omega are not going to shell out for colour matched date wheels then why not just equip the watch with the Cal.8806 no date version of the Cal.8800 and really make the dial the main event? Disappointing. As for the rest of the watch, the fully polished case is odd but attractive, it is a counterpoint to the fully brushed Railmaster from 2017, and the updated bracelet is very supple and tactile compared to the flatter and slightly more “sporty” original from 2017. I would hoped Mr Goulard could have given a quick run down on the difference. In 2023 not to have imported the excellent micro-adjustment system for their butterfly clasps form the Constellation Manhattan range is a faux pas by Omega. The lack of any micro-adjustment is what has prevented me buying either the Aqua Terra Worldtimer or the Aqua Terra 41mm Green dial. Finally, for those commentators wondering why Omega do not put the Cal.8900 or the no date Cal.8912 into the 38mm Aqua Terra case the answer is fairly simple, while the Cal.89xx movements are 29mm wide and 5.5mm thick compared to the Cal.8800’s 26mm wide and 4.6mm thick. The difference in thickness does not sound like much but the extra height would add around 1mm to 1.5mm to the thickness of the watch case. As the 38mm Aqua Terra is already 12.2mm in thickness a Cal.8900 equipped 38mm Aqua Terra would end up being around 13.7mm thick which is very tall in relation to it’s diameter and would not wear well at all.
The thickness of the 41 mm model of the Aqua Terra is only 13.2 mm.
@Phil S What are you talking about? Most Omega watches have dates.