The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Arrives With A New Black Dial In Three Sizes (And A New Micro-Adjust Clasp!)

I doubt any of us thought we would be getting two Omega Aqua Terra releases in one week, but that’s exactly what happened. And they turned out to be nice bookends considering that on Monday we got the Aqua Terra 150m 41mm watch associated with a world-record pole vaulter and today we are looking at not one new watch, but three. And where Monday’s release featured punchy colors of blue and yellow, today’s is a starker affair bringing a black dial edition we didn't know we needed.

So the main headline here is that we have three new Aqua Terra models in three sizes: 41mm, 38mm, and 34mm each representing the purest manifestation of a steel sports watch: Black dial on bracelet. And while the “teak” effect pattern on the Aqua Terra has become something of a staple, these new watches feature a smooth, deep, black dial. This becomes a true everyday watch, the kind ready to compete with all comers.

But it gets better than that. With this new trio of releases, Omega has also quietly added a much desired new feature, and one that is going to be a welcome sight for many fans – micro-adjust on the butterfly style clasp. That has always been the one drawback to this bracelet style which is now a huge asset.

So let’s look at each individual size in turn, beginning with the 41mm variation. This is a standard AT in all ways. You get the trapezoidal date window, the arrow hands and the signature Arabic numerals above the applied markers. All of the hands and markers are filled with lume, providing a white-on-black contrast that equates to serious legibility.

The 38mm option, perhaps destined to be the buzziest of all of these new models, basically operates as a smaller version of its 41mm sibling. You get the numerals, the markers, the hands, and the lume, and you get it all at a dream of a case diameter. If anything, and I will wait to see this particular colorway in the metal before passing full judgment, this is the most proportional of the whole lot.

Then there is the 34mm edition, which sports a few aesthetic changes, such as the rounding off of the applied markers, the circular date aperture, the lack of Arabic numerals on the outer edge of the dial, no minute track, and printed Omega wordmark as opposed to the applied technique on the other two.

Each model comes affixed to a handsome three-link style bracelet, with polished center links that pick up on the polished elements of the case. This polished flourish gives these sporty watches a bit more of a luxe feel and allow them to be easily dressed up. the 41mm has a 20mm lug width, the 38mm a 19mm lug width, and the 34mm a 16mm lug width.

There are also movement differences to mention here as the 41mm option contains the Master Chronometer Caliber 8900, while the 38mm and 34mm options house the Mater Chronometer Caliber 880. Each features an exhibition caseback where that movement can be easily viewed. 

Despite the various difference across the three sizes, there is a uniformity in pricing at $6,600. And, all things considered, with the movement technology and accuracy Omega brings to the table, it’s hard to argue with these watches as they have now become real competitors against a number of steel sports watches in the Rolex stable.

This release comes ahead of the Olympic Games and is tied to a campaign featuring swimming stars Michael Phelps and Léon Marchand. But Olympics or no Olympics, these watches are both a surprise and a very welcome sight. 

There is enough across these three models for everyone, I think. In terms of design, this is almost a reminder that simple is lasting, and you buy a watch to keep it for life, to imbue it with memories. Is this the most exciting launch of 2024? Hardly, but it may very well be the most intriguing and perhaps, when the year is out, the most consequential. Time will tell. For now, let's take a look at that micro-adjust.

Omega Aqua Terra Black Dial

Case: 41mm, 38mm, 34mm  Thickness: 13.4mm (41), 12.3mm (38),12mm (34  Lug-to-lug: 48 mm (41), 45.1 (38), 40.5 (34) Case material: Stainless steel, Dial: Black, Crystal:Sapphire

Water resistance: 150m, Movement: METAS-certified Omega 8900 (41mm) and 880 (34mm and 38mm), Movement type: Automatic, Power reserve: 60 hours (8900) 55 hours (8800)