Hiroki Yamada, a motor journalist and watch enthusiast, wears and reviews the blue and yellow Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. Yamada, who is used to thinking of Omega as the Speedmaster, was surprised by the unique features of this watch. It's also interesting to note the contrast with the car, which is unique to a motor journalist.
Photographs & Text by Kouki Yamada
[Article published on January 24, 2025]
For me, the Omega watch was the Speedmaster.
The Seamaster, which was born in 1948 to commemorate Omega's 100th anniversary, has been a pioneer of the company's professional line for a long time, with its advanced versions, the Speedmaster and Railmaster, released in 1957. The Aqua Terra is a relatively new variation that appeared in 2002 as the Seamaster series developed, but over its more than 20-year history, it has already earned a high reputation as a tool watch.
Although I was pretending to be a watch enthusiast, this was actually my first time holding a Seamaster. For me, the Speedmaster is the undisputed leader when it comes to Omega, and the first model I jumped at was the reissued "Caliber 321."
Now, finally, I put on the Seamus for the first time, and I was surprised at how well it fit on my wrist. After spending about two weeks with it, I came to the conclusion that the Aqua Terra is a modern diver's watch that combines comfort and elegance, just as its numerous reviews suggest.
Blue and yellow coloring and the familiar Seamaster style
Now, the watch that was sent to me this time is a rubber strap model with a blue dial and vibrant yellow accents.
Automatic (Cal. 8900). 39 jewels. 25,200 vph. Power reserve approximately 60 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 41mm, thickness 13.2mm). Water resistant to 150m. 968,000 yen (tax included).
Omega says the model was inspired by Armando “Mondo” Duplantis, who won the gold medal in pole vaulting at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Indeed, the blue and yellow color scheme is reminiscent of the Swedish flag, and the white tip of the yellow second hand may be a reference to the rubber part at the end of a pole vaulting pole or the grip part at the hand.
Incidentally, Duplantis is quite a handsome man. In terms of F1 drivers, he looks a bit like Mercedes' George Russell. Omega's website even features footage of him pole vaulting while wearing an Aqua Terra. As a watch enthusiast, I can't help but speculate, "Maybe the Aqua Terra is trying to show how well it tolerates positional changes, even in situations like that?" In any case, the combination of handsome men and sports fits perfectly into the Aqua Terra's worldview.
The 41mm diameter case combines a cut inherited from the Speedmaster with a round bezel. 41mm is a little large for my wrist, but the symmetrical case without a crown guard has a beauty and elegance that cannot be found in the Speedmaster. The stainless steel piece attached to the strap is an exquisite accent, further enhancing the edgy feel of the entire watch.
The rubber strap is 20mm at the lug and can be tapered down to 18mm at the buckle. It looks delicate, but this rubber strap has a very good grip.
The current Omega folding clasp is easy to operate; it snaps into place when pressed, and can be instantly released by pressing the buttons on both sides.
For my wrist (18.3cm), the strap is a little loose and hangs over the folded part, but it's not bulky. I also really appreciate that the strap acts as a cover, so the clasp doesn't come into direct contact with my wrist.
The watch is 13.2mm thick, the same size as the manual-winding Speedmaster Professional, and weighs just 108g thanks to the rubber strap.
Therefore, although you can feel a slight inertia in the head when swinging your arm, the fit is quite good. The aforementioned rubber strap and folding clasp hold the body securely and gently on the wrist without any play.
The steel bracelet, which provides dynamic balance, is also attractive, but this rubber strap is a must-have item.
Review of operability
In terms of operability, after releasing the screw-down crown, pulling it out one notch allows you to move only the hour hand. This is usually used as a fast-forward function for the calendar. To advance the date on this watch, you have to turn the hour hand 24 hours (i.e., two full rotations), which is a bit of a hassle, but being able to quickly set the time on an airplane while traveling abroad is a bit of a status symbol. The feel of the hour hand, when moved, is also nice, with a sense of moderation and click, similar to that of the Rolex GMT-Master II.
Pulling it one more notch activates the hack function, allowing you to adjust the hour and minute hands simultaneously. The crown doesn't have a particularly good feel, probably due to the moderate resistance of the gasket, but it's easy to set the time.
On the other hand, the winding isn't particularly good. First of all, the bezel is tapered at an angle and extends across the entire case, and the crown itself is small, making it difficult to turn with your thumb even when pulled out. However, since it's an automatic watch, you can start using it immediately after winding it 20 times, so you don't need to worry about it at all.
The Cal. 8900 movement boasts a power reserve of approximately 60 hours, which is short considering the twin barrels. In other words, the concept behind this movement is likely to be to maintain the effective torque band and stabilize accuracy, while also aiming to extend the running time.
I actually wore this Aqua Terra every day for two weeks, and it was incredibly accurate. I put it on at 7 a.m. and set it down at 10 p.m., and the daily rate was +2 seconds. This accumulated by exactly two seconds each day. I adjusted the time again when the difference exceeded 10 seconds (about twice in total), but this was probably because I had been letting the rate run a little ahead, taking into account temperature changes and other factors over the course of a year. Without these minor adjustments, the only other maintenance I'd need to do would be wiping the watch down, so I felt it was just right for a hobbyist.
Although the vibration frequency of 25,200 vph is not particularly aggressive, this mid-beat may be the key to a Co-Axial movement that boasts a maintenance-free life of 8 to 10 years. Furthermore, the high water resistance of 15 bar, unique to the Seamaster, and magnetic resistance of 15,000 gauss, provided by anti-magnetic parts such as the silicon balance spring and balance wheel, provide great peace of mind in everyday use. So, even during this short time, I was able to get a glimpse of the capabilities of the METAS-certified "Master Chronometer."
On top of that, the traditional triangular hour markers, sharp minute hand, and broad arrow not only improve visibility but also greatly enhance the presence of the Seamaster.
If it were a car, it would be the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
I wondered what car this sturdy and iconic Seamaster Aqua Terra would be like, and I felt that the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which has evolved into the 8.5th generation, was the closest comparison I had to a recent test drive.
What they all have in common is that they are highly practical, yet when you take them for a ride or put them on your wrist, they demonstrate great potential. They are neither too flashy nor too plain, and rather have a very appealing, modern understatement that anyone can appreciate.
Indeed, the Seamaster Aqua Terra is a high-standard model that forms the core of Omega. It is one of the few watches that can be called "if you're not sure what to buy, this is it."
