The Omega Aqua Terra Is Better Than A Rolex In Every Way EXCEPT ONE: 38.5mm Aqua Terra Review

[@ViolinistWilliam]

One thing about modern Omega that I appreciate is how the wearers REALLY use it as a daily driver. I respect this a lot. My dentist is a die hard omega guy and his watches look like hell.

[@cokerfilms2901]

I respect your dentist, these watches should be bought, kept, and USED. A scratch here and there is only a indicator of its story. This is why for me, I prefer to buy new. I wish to have the experience of wearing the watch from its birth and let it shape through out its life. At the end of the day . Its just a watch. A very expensive watch haha.

[@Hitchens-t5c]

I have a 1940 Omega Seamaster. I’m waiting to get my hands on the Aqua Terra.

[@mikevandenberg6558]

Love the Aqua Terra 38.5mm. Looks like this version has seen lots of love over it's lifetime. Thanks so much for continuing to put out great content. Especially helpful for those of us who have smaller than average wrists or just prefer slightly smaller watches.

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah it's my brother in law's watch that he's had for a bit over 5 years now! He definitely uses it fully, I want my Pelagos to look like this some day lol! Thank you so much for the support, it means a lot to me that you're enjoying the channel! (Also I replied to your email, sorry about the late response!😬)

[@wsinger234]

Just got the 41.5mm model about three weeks ago. It is incredible and can be had for a great deal preowned. Also looks great on a leather strap!

[@wheelsandwatches]

Had my AT for 9 years now and bloody love it. So versatile. Love it.

[@thewatchidiot]

Ah that's awesome to hear that the live is strong after all these years! Having spent this little bit of time with it I can definitely see why it has that sort of staying power. Onwards to even more years!

[@Diy-fever]

Cool video. Quick question - how does the outer AR coating holding on your AT? Seeing that your watch is quite scratched up, do you have any marks on the AR?

[@imranbecks]

I have this in 41.5mm. Over 5 years now. Love it and the blue dial is stunning!

[@flyingrocket3879]

Omega is pure class

[@pedromanuellopez142]

I have an early Aqua Terra with the 2500 coaxial movement. The proportions are spot on, it really works as the one watch, but the movement is a bit sensitive. I find the newer ones a shade too beefy, more on the sports watch end of things because of the thicker 8000 calibers. Although the movements are better.

[@typebflieger]

I own the Skyfall AT. Very similar to this model with the offset case and vertical grooves on the dial, but it has a framed date window and a fully brushed bracelet. It has not disappointed. It’s both versatile and fascinating to look at (i.e. not boring). It’s a watch I hope to own for a very long time.

[@ahsannaeem5442]

Do you know where I can find one new/unworn or in very good condition? It seems like no one has any of these new anymore

[@malcpilling7935]

Great watch ❤I own the AT 2014 38.5 blue dial ‘Skyfall’ with the white gold indices as opposed to Rodium and the date cage at 3. In addition the fully brushed bracelet for me the perfect AT

[@falcon81701]

I bought the Skyfall Aqua Terra for my 30th Birthday. My first Swiss Watch. Its a stunning watch as the blue dial really Pops and the polished hour markers and hands sparkle beautifully. Just bought the 3861 Moon watch as my second swiss watch and it’s amazing but not as beautiful as the Aqua Terra.

[@hungthinh63]

Hey, can I please ask how many cards (warranty, pictogram, etc) your watch came with?

[@loganoftherockies9453]

Wonderful video, and totally agree with you. I've also noticed something special about Omega's brushed surfaces, they somehow just look a cut above in a subtle, understated way, and don't show scratches easily. It's one of the main reasons my Speedy and SMP300 are my most frequent daily wears, along with the METAS criteria. Omega has really walked the line so well of elegant enough to feel refined, while sporty to the core.

[@loganoftherockies9453]

Oh, and thanks for bringing out the detail on the indices. I'd noticed on the AT they really do pop and have noticeable light play, but had never seen them up close or with that explanation as to why.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

2:47 to 2:56 - Now I understand why people tend to dislike polished center links 😉

[@ericl755]

the perfect 3 hands luxury watch! My prefered configuration is the "SKYFALL" with the brushed bracelet.

[@narekkazarian6333]

Awesome video! Is this the model with the jumping hour?

[@TomG1991]

What model is this? Struggling to find the face!

[@WatchDanReviews]

Nice to see a watch used and loved! Great pictures and video and probably the best descriptions of this watch I’ve seen somebody give. I agree it’s a watch you could wear for life!

[@uglybeard1194]

Would you choose this one over GS? Trying to decide on another watch and it can't be a Rolex due to security reasons. I have Rolex, Seiko(unfortunately needs service) and Atlantic. Got promoted 2 times in a year, bought new car and house and awaiting for son to come nxt year so this would be celebration piece

[@thewatchidiot]

Congrats man, hope the next year will be as good as this year! So deciding between the two is super hard bc both look and feel incredible but in very different ways. Depends on which GS you're thinking of getting, but on the whole I feel like GS is on the dressier side of daily wearable watches where as the Aqua Terra is a bit more balanced. So if you have the dressy side of watches covered by your other watches then maybe the AT would be better but if not then a GS could work well. In the end it's all about how you feel about them physically on your wrist and how you feel about the other worldly GS polishing! Which way are you leaning?

[@nash9625]

@Uglybeard depends on the GS but they..are..in..credible. Seriously I have a skyflake I bought an oem brushed GS bracelet for too and it is over the top - I would also categorize myself as a huge omega fan but these watches are just incredible. The hardest part is deciding which GS. AT is a great 1 watch collection but if you want something a bit more unique GS is badass.

[@brett233]

19mm lug width is not that big of a deal. If the strap isn’t too stiff, a 20mm strap will easily fit. The bracelet and clasp are the issues for me. The shape of the links I don’t like, polished mid links are scratch magnets, and the butterfly clasp offers no micro adjustment or on the fly adjustment. The thickness of the case isn’t great but I can get over it since it doesn’t seem to wear thick. The clasp alone kills the watch for me. I’m also just not a fan of the overall design, even if the quality is insanely good.

[@barronrh1964]

Wonderful watch. And no question about it being rugged. I see this particular timepiece has been "loved" quite extensively.

[@Longshore79]

I have both omega and Rolex . This aqua terra is as close to perfect as you can get. Versatility monster whether it’s on a steel bracelet or a strap

[@davidb5720]

Great piece on this underrated watch. I own the 41.5 M version with the same movement and dial colour and you do need to handle these watches to appreciate everything that’s going on. A one and done if you want to for sure 👍

[@3Godfree]

The 38.5 Aqua Terra is a beauty, great shots, and review. Thanks

[@MrBacchus18]

Omega 41mm has a 20mm lug width. I am strongly considering an Aqua Terra next year, it is just such GADA watch

[@gfxdaddy]

Actually the practical advantages of modern 32xx Rolex movements smoke coaxials unless the insane 15K gauss rating is important to you for your job (all modern Rolexes are highly antimagnetic too, but Rolex doesn’t say to what degree) so your title is the other way around. 10 year service interval vs 5 years, advantage Rolex. +/-2 vs 0/+5, accuracy advantage Rolex. 3 day power reserve on all 32xx movements vs 60 hours for the dual-barreled AT/PO, 55 hours for other coaxes…advantage Rolex - and they do it with a single barrel. I owned the exact same AT, and it’s a fine watch…but practically speaking the only plus I’d give it is the jump-hour (and even then, some people would rather a quickset date instead). That being said I’d take it over an Exp (I did), purely for subjective reasons. Sold it down the line and picked up a last-gen Milgauss, which to me wears a bit better even though it’s technically not as impervious to magnetism as the AT. Love the comparison but don’t go down the road of clickbait titles my man.

[@RocketDog73]

I like it but with the date at 3. I do not like it with date at 9. Dateless would be perfect 👍

[@craig2100]

Can't decide between the aqua Terra or Rolex OP, or DJ.. it's a tough choice

[@danielcustodio9650]

Same problem to me 😂

[@williamrizzo1285]

I have the 41 in green, one of my favorite watches!

[@superdario2425]

I have a 300M Diver and would love one of these as its dressy counterpart. Love how this has been worn and loved, looks great!

[@nyancorp]

I‘ve got the titanium model with the white dial and the blue hands. Beautiful watch, lightweight and comfortable to wear. The only thing I don‘t like is the lume of the minute hand. It‘s nearly impossible to read the time at night. 😢 Yeah, it is true: the polished surfaces, especially the center links in the bracelet get microscratches just from looking at it. 😅

[@secretfornow8895]

The Good Planet, right?

[@nyancorp]

@@secretfornow8895: Yeah. Still my favourite watch for the summer. ^^

[@walkerb1734]

My ‘one watch forever’ is the JLC Geophysic 1958. It’s just a perfect one-and-done piece.

[@arodbas]

Should the next gen AT be coming soon? Especially the bracelet is in need for an update.

[@Oniaxus]

I bought the 38.5 mm in rose gold last year and haven't worn any of my other watches since!

[@Televisiontechnology]

Agreed - The Aqua Terra is a better watch - BUT AT on the steel bracelet needs to sort their clasps out, as the butterfly is below par compared to the clasps of Rolex. It´s like they´ve simply not bothered for ages.

[@johnheng3277]

I like the way you present the comparison of these 2 watches. Excellent video. I think too that AT is better than rolex but there is one major deal breaker for me. It's still an expansive watch. Maybe I belong to middle income group of people so it doesn't make any sense to spend so much on a mechanical watch and to strap huge amount of cash on my wrist to walk around letting people see. I have the Tag Heuer Carrera that also has the butterfly clasp, have the exact same functions and purpose as the AT and datejust, but at a much affordable cost. IMO, the Carrera is a more sensible purchase over the AT and rolex 😁

[@thewatchidiot]

Thank you so much! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the video! Yeah no doubt that the AT and the equivalent rolex watches are pricey, and while they can justify their price tags, they arent the only ways to have fun in the watch world! I used to own a time and date Carrera on the leather strap and i enjoyed it very much and honestly the vast majority of the time I'm enjoying the sub $1000 to sub $500 price points bc thats where most of the interesting stuff is anyway!

[@johnteill_]

I think the watch looks fine, but for anyone worried about scratches may i suggest the railmaster. Its the same watch only brushed to a satin finish, no date, and it doesn’t show the inner workings on the backside....its about 600 bucks cheaper then the aqua terra...i like it more.

[@dgbucko]

Except for 2 things, the bracelet and the date window. Give us the option of no date please Omega.

[@edshamaham5719]

I've always liked the design of the AT bc it's modern and clean but I didn't realize how three dimensional the indices were so big thanks for putting in those awesome macro shots!! Definitely on my wishlist and definitely more interesting than a Rolex

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah i always remember the triangular shape of the indices but i forgot how angled they are! and seeing them in the macro shots even for myself was pretty amazing bc i didnt realize the sides have a brushed and polished facet instead of just one finish. Omega did an incredible job with this one!

[@andywilliams4887]

The Aqua Terra without doubt is a very handsome watch, with an excellent movement. But that case and bracelet, being largely highly polished, looks terribly scratched up. I don't baby my watches but it looks pretty beaten up in the short time you've owned it. The Rolex oyster bracelet wins hands down vs any Omega one IMO.

[@Nomad_783]

i own the blue 38mm. I am watch collector(or used to be) but when i bought the AT i never worn anything else. I ended up selling all my watches simply because everything else became redundant dust collectors...

[@lwood5375]

Man i thought it was a blue dial and gold indices from the thumbnail. That would be another bueatuliful watch

[@johnnie5442]

The first generation was like 11mm thick, which is much better. The ability to jump time zones without losing time is a huge plus though. For those, who fly a lot...

[@mbell7498]

I got this watch a month ago and I couldn't have made a better choice. I love it.

[@ianwoollard2063]

I like the Aqua Terra but as an owner of a Planet Ocean I can’t unsee the miss matched hour and minute hands.

[@charleslyall4911]

I like the Aqua terra on the rubber strap ,great ❤️👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@affegorilla1299]

I love the JLC and the Blancpain metal bracelets!

[@Brownrebel]

I own a quartz first gen aqua terra and personally I preferred those designs and bracelet over these newer ones. The only thing I wish they had were female end links. Have you seen the first gens?

[@marcod.r.3299]

I agree, the first generations AT are still the best looking in my opinion, a modern watch with a vintage vibe and with an all brushed bracelet......Omega nailed it around 2005, 2006, just like the first generation Planet Ocean from that same period, it´s so gorgeous, one of the best looking divers ever......later the Planet Ocean became just a huge fat bulky monster.

[@muffemod]

I got mines with full brushed bracelet! 🥰

[@alj.granda8252]

Love the new 8900 movement and 41mm case!

[@cosmodoc]

is it just me, or is the watch really incredibly scratched?

[@wristroll_vlad]

That’s what happens with over polished surfaces… but yeah looks like it’s been through hell

[@joeskeptical4762]

Not *”incredibly”* just normal signs of use. Up close my Big Crown _(...not ORIS...)_ models look the same. These timepieces are meant to be worn, not locked up in a watch coffin.

[@cosmodoc]

@@joeskeptical4762 I guess it it depends what you do with them when wearing them. This one looks like it has been up and down Mt Everest!

[@joeskeptical4762]

@@cosmodoc This watch might look *beat up* to someone who hasn’t seen a beat-up watch. *This is normal use over several years.*

[@thewatchidiot]

It's my brother in law's watch that he's had for over 5 years! It's been used fully and it took me a second to get used to the scratches but isn't more than what should be expected of a watch with polished surfaces especially when showcased with studio lights and up close. Outside and in normal life it's not very noticeable. I'm hoping my Pelagos will look like this at some point bc it's got character!!

[@bngr_bngr]

What kind of steel is the bracelet. It seems very scratched up for the short time you have owned the watch.

[@thewatchidiot]

Not sure exactly what kind of steel Omega uses most likely 316L but this is my brother in law's Aqua Terra that hes had for over 5 years and he uses it fully lol! That being said my Speedmaster thats 5.5 years old pretty much only has hairline scratches and my SMP300 over the year i had it barely had a scratch so their steel seems good to me!

[@SlickRick135]

I own both Omega and Rolex, I have yet to see Omega make a better steel bracelet than Rolex’s jubilee.

[@bngr_bngr]

@@SlickRick135 the oyster bracelet is longer lasting.

[@finesse49]

I think the Aqua Terra is a good looking watch apart from the silly arrowhead on the minute hand.

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

I take the Explorer anyday over the Aqua terra. Way better bracelet and clasp. It's way more of a icon and doesn't have those horrible polished center links. That start to look horrible real quick and I don't mind scratches but on polished center links they look absolutely horrible and the bracelet has no micro adjustment

[@JuanSegarra-td6yr]

I have the Aqua Terra 41 blue dial but I found it top heavy, cheap lume, clasp suck. For $6200 Omega should have had Tfit glide lock. The bracelet is luxury but has plenty of flaws plenty. It was my first luxury watch and I fell for the look. Now I have a Rolex submariner Starbucks and the Aqua Terra can’t compare.

[@raphael2966]

As a small wristed guy, if they made one in 36mm I would buy one right away.

[@tonyrome655]

I think they did make them in 36mm at one time, however, I believe they were all quartz movements.

[@raphael2966]

@@tonyrome655 There were autos of that, but they're hard to find now.

[@julianwarr7246]

Ok, a couple of things which you missed - 1) The Omega butterfly clasp has no micro-adjust the Explorer has Easylink, 2) the 8500 movement may have a jumping hour hand but it has no quickset date, 3) the lume on AT is small and weak. Also, from a personal preference perspective the 38.5mm AT looks too thick to me. Finally, I owned an 8500 AT and the movement broke within a year. So not a convincingly better watch IMO.

[@thewatchidiot]

Lol the entire last section of the video is about the AT bracelet being solid but how the oyster bracelet is better! But as for the lack of a quickset date, I can't think of any crown controlled independent jumping hour hand (flyer GMT) movements with a quickset date as well, including Rolex, Tudor, and Grand Seiko GMT movements. So since the 8500 is basically a flyer GMT without a 24 hour hand, the lack of a quickset date isnt a big deal since it's never been a feature on the flyer GMT watches I've owned. I do wish there was more lume but not at the expense of those incredible indices tho! Sorry to hear that the movement in your AT broke but this is my brother in law's watch that he's been using for 5 years without any issues and of all the omega watches my friends and I have owned over the years we haven't had any issues so I can only speak to our good experiences with the brand!

[@finalbattle777]

The AT always felt busy to me, how they cramp a whole bunch of design into that dial, could never get over the sharpened indices. The OP has always felt better thought out design wise and dresses up better then the AT - which is ultimately a more casual watch. With that said. The specs sure are amazing.

[@wintermute8315]

I find it crazy that this screams "casual" to you.

[@finalbattle777]

Dont be. Because it is.

[@normang663]

I have the black dial 38mm. It is indeed handsome. But I do wish that I bought the blue dial

[@RocasThePenguin]

Owned the 41 AT. Sold it recently. It was a great watch. But the 38.5 is better I think. The 41 felt a bit too big. Plus, I really don't like the bracelet.

[@chrishennemeyer7276]

Yes 19mms is irritating, but there are many more 19mm straps than there used to be.

[@huckinator]

The biggest decision for me with the AT is that I wanted the white dial. I didn’t like the orange second hand on the 38mm. I didn’t want to go with 41mm though since it was going to be a daily driver and generally a smaller proportion is better. Then I found the Achilles heel that the 38mm had 19mm lugs and was heartbroken. So made me want to go 41mm version

[@nash9625]

Did you get one yet? Don't let 19mm scare you off, I have GS with 19mm and can still fit 20mm straps on it without issue typically

[@Ferien7]

19mm lug width is correct on a 38mm diameter. Lug width should be exactly half the case diameter. A 2:1 ratio for correct proportion.

[@evh4611]

Should have a micro adjustment clasp

[@denis888red]

As a huge fan of Omega, (I own a few, including the the Seamaster 300M), I have a major beef with this watch; or rather Omega's marketing/naming of it.... Why on earth have they named the Aqua Terra a Seamaster? To my mind this is where they often slip up against Rolex. It should have simply been named the 'Omega Aqua Terra'. I don't remember Rolex calling the Explorer a 'Submariner Explorer' after all!And for obvious reasons! A very clear lack of individual identity. Don't they get that? Obviously not.

[@Nick-ut7hb]

Aqua means Water. It should be a Seamaster

[@denis888red]

@@Nick-ut7hb Aqua means water eh? Well gosh. Who knew...

[@Nick-ut7hb]

@@denis888red If Aqua means water, why it shouldn't be a Seamaster?

[@Hippie_Pa]

Has anyone put an aftermarket 19mm oyster bracelet on an AT? Having a bracelet with a taper and not as blingy as the original bracelet is an interesting idea.

[@Richmoreira]

Nice watch

[@pensforgts]

Rolex is the king

[@athit673]

Rolex is a prostitute. Know the real history & how cheap they are in the past & do a research about their manipulation & oh, they don't make their own movement, they never did. It's from Jean Aegler & 2004 they bought it finally. Buying your supplier doesn't makes you a watchmaker.

[@jodysilvia2]

I'm a huge aqua terra fan but was turned off at the AD, begging me to buy the watch she seemed so desperate to make a sale she disrespected my wife, and I had to walk away.

[@thewatchidiot]

Oh man thats sad to hear! Was this at an Omega Boutique or an AD? Thankfully I've had only good experiences over the years at my Omega Boutique. Hopefully you can give the Aqua Terra another go elsewhere bc its a seriously good watch!

[@jodysilvia2]

@The Watch Idiot it was the Omega boutique in king of Prussia PA

[@Wevaah]

I don't where you live at but I'm on the other side of PA closer towards Pittsburgh but I'd definitely recommend going to Brent Miller Jewelers in Lancaster. The team there has always been super kind and well informed. I work with a guy named Heriberto and he's a great guy and has helped me with everything watch related. Then Brad is considered the store's watch specialist and he's a great guy, they all are and many if not all of the guys that work there are watch enthusiasts. They've never tried to coerce me into buying anything I didn't want, they'll try their damndest to help you what you're looking for.

[@jodysilvia2]

@Jake Weaver I've been meaning to go to Brent L Miller's. I'm only 30 minutes away from there .

[@dazlarg]

I still think the bb58 at 39mm and similar dimensions overall is still very hard to beat

[@Ferien7]

Ugly watch

[@dazlarg]

@@Ferien7 what’s an ugly watch?

[@3082103]

subscibed! cos omega > rolex

[@TheJVCMan]

when an Omega is a higher rrp is higher than a Rolex, I think I would go with the Rolex.

[@anthonygarza7540]

Great review

[@scollyutube]

I think the AT needs better lume on the hands. The minute hand is annoying to see at night as gets mixed in with the indicies. My SM300 and Speedy are much easier to read.

[@thewatchidiot]

Ah very true that's something I noticed when I first saw the watch a few years ago but this time around with more time I got extra distracted by those awesome indices! Omega could have easily given the minute hand the same style of lume as the hour hand while keeping the brushed finished.

[@scollyutube]

@@thewatchidiot exactly. The two lume colours are good too. Brilliant watch otherwise as you say, size etc and so many colour options.

[@VK-nyc]

Sorry, that date change is a turn off. 5:00. Not quick change.

[@imnoodlehaus]

I'm trying hard to like Omega watches but their design language just really reminds me of nokia design. It's why I find it very hard to find something to top an explorer.

[@coffeeboyclips1973]

Try an iwc mark 20 or 18, i picked one over the explorer

[@Will67267]

No it’s not! Rolex bracelet is better, resale value is better, service intervals for a new OP or Datejust is around 8-10 years.

[@vadik1074]

I think 41mm would fit better on your wrist

[@siblej1]

Doesn’t look as good on the wrist as a OP or DJ, or Explorer..IMHO

[@geno816]

The new 38s are better than the op

[@GabrielTan1980]

I love how well worn this watch is!❤

[@BP-or2iu]

The new one has a better bracelet.

[@swiftusmaximus5651]

The beauty of the Omega is you will have lots of $$$ left over to pay for some Tugs from Anthony at TPG

[@Mcbetogarcia]

I love this watches but have to much scratches

[@metro2171]

Awesome

[@metro2171]

Way better is absolutely Ludacris

[@robocopvn]

Omega is the best all-round watch brand. Rolex is not bad, but heavily overpriced :D

[@manuelavila6581]

Me quedo con Omega seamaster 300

[@zacharyparis]

It’s not hard to beat Rolex. They are the best at nothing.

[@athit673]

Well said.

[@lamadoo]

Its atleast 1mm too thick for an everyday watch

[@imranbecks]

I wear mine almost everyday. No problems about the thickness. Never bothered me.

[@Jorge-wv4vu]

No

[@apecoinsociety3644]

Sky fall is way better

[@damiman797]

Is this something New??🎉😂

[@JayB-bq7hh]

With all those scratches , you must drag your arm all over the place...................I've never done that !! So?

[@chrisrussell63]

Sub.

[@mannyfernandez1713]

Hi @thewatchidiot , I sent you an email yesterday just in case, sorry for answering late, but I was on a trip in which I was unable to check KZbin regularly. Hope I’m still on time, the email is from my personal gmail address. I’ll remain attentive and sorry for the bother.