which now graces the wrist of a fellow Purist, and currently a '57 Constellation:
As for current production, however, I haven't taken the plunge yet, even though there have been several models over the past few years that have caught my imagination, like the Constellation Double Eagle Mission Hills chronograph, a few limited edition Speedmasters, the 1948 Centenary, and above all, the automatic version of the Railmaster. The fascination these watches hold are partly due to tradition and aesthetics, but my underlying interest over the past several years has been primed by the exclusive co-axial escapement that graces many Omega automatic movements (and a few manual-winding models as well).
Simply put, there has been much favorable anecdotal evidence from both public and private sources regarding the performance of Omega's movements so equipped. Of course, I could've just bought one to find out for myself, but the model that most captures my imagination, the Railmaster, hasn't been fitted with the latest incarnation of Omega's movement technology yet. Rather than wait, I decided to ask Greg Swift, President of Omega US, for a review sample of another model that has also captured my interest, the new Aqua Terra Teck. Greg affirmed his willingness to offer one, and several weeks later, I received an e-mail from his assistant to the effect that the AT Teck in steel was unavailable, but would I mind borrowing the Annual Calendar model instead? "Alacrity" is the first word that came to mind!
Anthony handed it off to me seven weeks ago, and I've been wearing it (almost) daily ever since, so I've got a few observations and comments to make. Unlike previous reviews, this one will be subjective, and I'll preface my remarks by acknowledging in advance that I'm partial to the design
So, what is an Aqua Terra, and why an Aqua Terra? The first question is fairly simple as a translation of the name provides a description of intent: Sea Land conjures an image that has roots in nautical watches melded with the simpler technical requirements of a watch that will likely never be used in a harsh marine environment. In short, a practical dive watch for normal everyday use, meant for the vast majority of guys who might venture into a swimming pool or the beach but rarely, if ever, go snorkeling or diving. It's a mystery that so many of us are willing to spend vast sums on watches designed for a specific purpose that will never be used in their intended capacity. Cool, yes . . . useful in any practical sense, probably not. My sense is that the Aqua Terra line is geared towards that segment of the public that appreciates the essence of nautical inspiration but without actual need of the technical requirements inherent in such designs. In other words, a guy like Purist Joe Za, seen here with #1 on his shoulders:
Joe has a vintage Seamaster 300 on his wrist and a vista of land and sea behind him . . . the perfect backdrop for an Aqua Terra! Anthony had told me the AT arrived in a Fed-ex package, but I was still astounded at the negligible protection the shipping department provided - the watch was ticking away in a plastic container not unlike the blueberry containers you'll find in a grocery store, and the package was a standard express envelope with only one layer of bubble wrap. If Omega was trying to send a subliminal message about how tough the Teck is, they succeeded big time!
The very next day I went to get the watch sized; a friend in the jewelry trade spent half an hour sizing and adjusting the bracelet:
Three and a half links in all had to be removed, and although I'm uncertain as to how many from each side, one thing's for sure - it's . . .
At this point in an objective review, the watch under examination is described, often in excruciating detail. Not so this time . . . I trust that the photos will convey the appearance adequately. Nor will there be any historical context offered - again, the story of the Seamaster has been told before, and as fascinating as it may be, it's really unnecessary to gain an appreciation for this particular watch. Rather, I'm going to try to convey the gestalt of the AT Teck annual calendar.
With these caveats in mind, let's start with the first quality that makes an immediate impression, namely, the weight and density of the watch. The 41 mm AT/ac [Aqua Terra annual calendar] is, in my experience, a subjectively heavy watch. I've tried on many steel watches of similar size, yet the AT/ac is noticeably heftier than most of them. Not only is it relatively heavy, it's also top-heavy; I don't think there's a version offered with a strap, but if there were, I'd be sure to try both on as the weight balance would shift even further towards top-heaviness. These impressions are not meant as criticism - I personally find the heft pleasing as it conveys a perception of solidity and strength. My impressions were confirmed when I finally switched back to one of my Glashütte Originals after wearing the AT/ac continually for six weeks . . . not only is the heft noticeable on it's own, it's highlighted in comparison to the watches I own.
The comfort level set by the AT/ac is high. The clasp isn't adjustable, so the only adjustments possible are those made by removing links. The fit achieved by removing three and a half links was just right, and I never felt the watch tightening on me as the day wore on. I wouldn't say it was the most comfortable bracelet-equipped watch I've ever worn, but the tautness of the bracelet and the overall fit were fine for my wrist, even though the clasp lacks the facility for fine adjustments.
The sapphire back is flat and not curved to conform to the contours of the wrist, as can be seen in these profile shots:
**Learn More About Omega Aqua Terra on Amazon.com
By Art Dakessian
From http://omega.watchprosite.com
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