OMEGA Aqua Terra 41.5mm Caliber 8500 Review

Chaser579 provides a detailed, hands-on first impression of the OMEGA Aqua Terra 41.5mm with the Caliber 8500, offering a collector's perspective on its features and design. This 2009 review captures initial reactions to a significant movement upgrade and new design elements, making it a valuable historical snapshot for enthusiasts interested in the evolution of the Aqua Terra line.

I was at a local AD a few days ago here in Denver, Colorado, and lo and behold the Aqua Terra 41.5mm with the caliber 8500 was there, first time seen here in the Rocky Mountain State, I imagine (Denver is not L.A. or Nueva York, por favor).  Anyway, there was one with the silvery-white dial (opaline) and one with the ‘teck’-grey dial.  The opaline seems cheerier while the grey seemed depressing, but the lighting in those jewelry stores doesn’t do justice to watches and diamonds, as we all know.  I like the size, very close to the Seamaster 300m, 41mm (the 2254.50 or the 2255.80). 

I liked the hour hand hacking feature for moving the hour ahead or behind and not affecting the minutes and seconds, however, the date is not a ‘quickset’ and has to be set like older watches, a bit nostalgic.  The finish on the movement is very good, not a PP, VC or JLC, but impressive.  The second hand ticking away at 25,200 vph instead of 28,800 makes it look like a fast-running quartz watch, just my observation.  Accuracy and precision take precedence with the 8500, one must remember, as well as low/no lube, low wear, longer intervals between servicing, and whatever else Dr. Daniels designed the co-axial technology escapement to do and be.  Easy to manually wind and the rotor spins quietly.  And the screw-down crown is more like Rolex, a great improvement by Omega.  But an Omega nevertheless, not (and never will be) a Rolex.  But who can beat the price?  The AD was willing to discount it on the spot just to move it, a fall-out of the recession I imagine.  Finally, the ‘butterfly’ clasp, nice but hard to open once on the wrist!  On both AT’s I required the assistance of the salesperson to unlatch.  Tough because it’s new?  Or the protective blue plastic on the clasp?  Just wondering what owners may have experienced in this area.

I also saw the 38.5mm quartz version of the teck-grey AT, looks like a pillbox on my wrist.  Sorry I don’t have pictures, maybe in the future.  Now, on to my latest madness, the Seamaster 2055.80 with the 1120 and James Bond bracelet (see picture).

I won’t belabor the points on this beautiful and classy tool/dress watch, and I’ve had the 2255.80 (with Speedy-style bracelet) before, but it stands on it’s own merits (typical 1120/ETA 2892A2, so far just +3 seconds per day, not bad).  One thing I did notice: no laser-etched Omega globe on the Seamaster solid caseback – is that something new or ?  S/N is 8096XXXX.

Just like my previous SM’s, already I’ve had some bids on the watch; to sell or not to sell, that is la question.  Let me just say that these are getting cleared out by many ADs, and the combo of the ‘electric blue’ wave dial with sword hands (and not those unreadable skeleton hands on the total James Bond models that are Sub wanna-be’s) with the JB-style bracelet is unique and not easy to find.  BTW, it seems to me a lot of the ‘older’ Omega models are getting cleared out by the ADs in time for the newer models, so discounts are happening.  I’ve also heard that some Omega ADs are being dropped in favor of those stores where Omega has not treaded before, and it’s no news that some jewelry stores and chains are shutting their doors for good, thus discounts…

Omega ROCKS!  Enjoy!

R.    =:^D