Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8900 vs. 8500 comparison: a follow-up watch review with new observations

[@imranbecks]

Great video comparison. I'm seriously not a fan of the crown shape on the 8900. Looks out of place on the watch for some reason. Overall the vertical teak looks better with the date at 3 o'clock 👍🏻 I love mine and it's a keeper.

[@clydechavez3483]

Picky picky picky, Even with all the dogging you said about the 8900. I just bought one about 2 months ago and i absolutely love it. I've gotten compliments on it though.Very happy with it. You ain't bursting my bubble.

[@omegawatchfan]

Haha I'm usually not picky but I wanted to try to highlight the differences (albeit small) between the two versions. I agree the 8900 is a gorgeous and comfortable watch. I still have mine.

[@Alex-mo9qt]

if you have large wrist go with the 8500, if you have medium wrist you could do either. If you have small wrist go with the 8900. I have large wrist and have owned both. Both are great watches!

[@Zeeraha]

What I agree that for the 41mm version the 8500 case looks better with those longer lugs, and the case is even slightly thiner than the 8900. I wonder if they could put the 8900 horizontal teak dial to the 8500 case. Would that aesthetically work? I like the horizontal version dial more. Regarding the onion shapped crown, on my 8900 AT it is fine to operate with, and to me it is aesthetically more pleasing than the cylinder shaped version. As for the bracelet, I agree that the thinner version feels slightly cheaper. But to me, the 41mm case is already quite heavy (ca. 165 grams in total), and I believe reducing the overall weight helps in comfort. As for the lack of microadjustment critique, the bracelet has half links, and has a level of stretch to it. I sized mine to be on a tighter side, and I never felt that it squeezes my wrist. I believe that Omega did not utilise microadjustment system in order to reduce weight, and the microadjustable clasp would look more sporty than elegant. Example, SMP or Oyster style clasp would not fit to the aesthetics of the AT overall design.

[@omegawatchfan]

I would be interested to see a horizontal striped dial in an 8500 case. My guess is it would look great. The day-date version of the 8500 was in a way somewhat intermediate between the 8500 and 8900. It had the date function at 6 o'clock (and day of the week at 12 o'clock). Never seen it in person but looks very sharp in photos.

[@viktorviktorelius4032]

Great video 👍🏻

[@omegawatchfan]

Thank you

[@Tetlee]

Interesting that you're the first person I've seen mention the clasp negative on the newer one. I tried one that was sized the same as my own wrist and it looked horrible on the back of my wrist, kind of bulged out either side. Suprised nobody ever mentions this, the older clasp does not have this issue at all with the curve contouring to your wrist.

[@omegawatchfan]

Yes, I think it's the one flaw of an otherwise very comfortable bracelet. The clasp is completely flat and has no curvature, making it feel like a bar sitting against the underside of the wrist. As you say, the older one does not have this issue because the folding element of the clasp has a normal curvature. Unfortunately, that one has the bump where the push button of the clasp is, so neither really is perfect.

[@Moneyisatrap]

I have a 8500 is good to know more about over time and is hard to find the estimated value of the 8500 value if you know on is value can you tell me about it.

[@icychap]

Respectfully disagree. I own the 38mm with the 8800 calibre. Absolutely love the wearability. The points you made regarding the crown and end links/lugs have never been an issue for me. The case size and shape is absolutely perfect for me. If I had any criticism, it would be the butterfly clasp. The lack of any micro-adjustment is simply unacceptable. Nevertheless, this is my daily and goes with absolutely everything. Thanks for another good video!

[@omegawatchfan]

I respect your opinion as well. Despite my feelings about the 8500, I still believe the 8800/8900 do exceed the 8500 in several areas. 8900 has always been substantially more comfortable for me due to the shorter lug to lug and the smooth clasp. Some 8500 clasps are very irritating (I have found they vary in how sharply finished the push buttons of the clasp are). The symmetry of the dial and 6 o'clock position of the date window (which is larger as well) are logical and more functional as the date is easier to read. In fact the 8500 is actually an asymmetric watch with the right side of the case extending out farther to partially hide the crown. Now I am beginning to convince myself the other way!

[@icychap]

@@omegawatchfan It's a great problem to have! Honestly, I absolutely love the watch despite the clasp issue. The "flat" of the clasp is not a problem for me, probably because of my personal wrist shape. But it should still have incorporated some easy micro-adjustment.

[@ewildman66]

That was really well done. I appreciate all the details.

[@omegawatchfan]

@icychap Absolutely agree on the micro adjust. On the newest 2022 Aqua Terras, Omega redesigned the bracelet but continues to pair it with the non-adjustable clasp from the prior models. This should not be acceptable to buyers, especially given the increased price.

[@icychap]

@@omegawatchfan The market will decide!

[@AmpsNL]

Are the bracelets of the 8500 and 8900 interchangeable? Do they fit on either models?

[@omegawatchfan]

Unfortunately they do not. The endlink shape is different.

[@AmpsNL]

That’s unfortunate. Thanks for checking!

[@David-ft7xz]

Fortunately for you, you have both these great watches, but if you had to choose one over the other, which would it be?

[@omegawatchfan]

Perhaps I am in the minority but I prefer the older 8500 movement Aqua Terra. I like the case shape and bracelet design better on that one. It has longer lugs and the bracelet links are less flat, giving the whole watch a more "sculpted" look for lack of a better word. The dials on both the 8500 and 8900/8800 are beautiful and the clasp on the 8900 I find to be more comfortable, but I have to give the edge to the 8500 due to the overall appearance.

[@David-ft7xz]

@@omegawatchfan Thank you! I'm in agreement, I prefer the vertical lines as opposed to the horizontal.

[@baba98052]

I hate the 8900 movement- the reason for this is the date changing. You have rotate the hour hand 24 hours to change date. On my other watches date change is just a Hal pull and rotate. I will never get caliber 8900 again. It sucks.

[@omegawatchfan]

I think this is a very valid complaint. Unless a person is constantly traveling and changing time zones, the utility of a quick-set hour hand is much less than that of a quick-set date.

[@baba98052]

I have the 8900, and I hate this movement. To change date you have to rotate hands for full 24 hours to change the date. No short cuts.

[@omegawatchfan]

The 8900 is useful for travelling through time zones, but for most people the quick set date is probably more useful. I believe the clunky date adjustment also causes premature wear to the hour wheel so I don't use it at all. At least there is a choice now..the 8800 movement on the current 38mm Aqua Terra has a regular quick set date.

[@vdan2879]

You know your Aqua Terra's.

[@omegawatchfan]

Thanks

[@flaihhasan5009]

Price 8900 aquaterra

[@Przzzpurp239]

$7000