Omega Aqua Terra watch comparison & review: 1st gen vs. 2nd gen (39.2mm vs. 41.5mm size)

[@AndrewIsbell]

Thanks I was looking forward to this video. I have a first gen Aqua terra 36mm automatic black dial (2504). I believe it is perhaps the best value on the entire used watch market. It is so versatile I haven't bought a new watch since. Sometimes I even wish I went quartz like you for better accuracy.

[@omegawatchfan]

Auto or quartz, you can't go wrong as they are simply tremendous values right now. They look just as nice and fresh today as when they came out. An outstanding design really. Just make sure that slider clasp screw is tight!

[@icychap]

Still loving my 38mm horizontal "teak" pattern variant in blue. A true GADA, although I wear mine exclusively on a leather strap now.

[@omegawatchfan]

Nice, I bet it looks great on leather. I put a 38.5mm gray dial AT on a suede type strap and really liked the look. I will try to do a side-by-side of the horizontal line AT with the first gen AT soon as well.

[@jaysterling26]

I adore the 1st gen. design. Might get the 36 one day...I've seen on other videos the clasp is horrendous. Are the maintenance costs thst bad? Also, on such a vintage piece do the sesls and gaskets need to be checked more regularly even uf it's kept on terra firma ( sorry- couldn't resist (sorry again)? Cheers.

[@omegawatchfan]

I had the 36mm in blue. Beautiful watch, and the lugs on that one are 19mm wide so it really does not wear too small. Maintenance for the auto is not too bad...it is basically like an eta 2982 movement so does not necessarily have to be sent to Omega. As for the seal or gasket, I generally don't expose these older watches to being submerged (stick mostly to terra, not much aqua) but if you wanted to do that, I would change the seal on any newly acquired pre-owned watch. The clasp is comfortable but not a durable design. If you take some care with opening and closing it, it should not be a problem. I'd suggest occasionally checking the screw on the slider portion to ensure it is tightly in place as well.

[@David-ft7xz]

If you had to pick one Aqua Terra model of the one's you've handled, which one would you choose?

[@omegawatchfan]

The blue dial 8500 movement, 41mm size. The dial color is subtle but distinctive and beautiful, and it goes very well with the rest of the design. I also like the case shape of those more than the newer 8900/8800 series. And between 38.5mm and 41mm, I prefer the larger one because I like the proportion of diameter to thickness more on that one (watch feels thinner due to the extra diameter), and I also prefer the 20mm lug width (as opposed to 19mm on the smaller one).

[@mrkeeny]

Always hated the fancy/busy dial on second gen

[@omegawatchfan]

I haven't heard this opinion a lot, but I respect it...if everyone had the exact same tastes, the hobby would be much less interesting. Makes me wonder what a Skyfall blue AT would look like without the lines.

[@mrkeeny]

@@omegawatchfan I've been waiting patiently for over decade for them to remove the lines again! :D

[@omegawatchfan]

The newest "shades" collection of Aqua Terras have no lines, some interesting colors as well.

[@AM-qk5qg]

I thought that the 1st gen have longer lug to lug than second gen. This video compares different sizes, right ? A fiar comparison would be either the 1st generation 42mm or the other way around

[@omegawatchfan]

1st gen 42.2mm wears enormous, the 39.2mm 1st gen is more similar to the 2nd gen 41.5mm.