Guide To Omega Aqua Terra Watches

Recognized as one of the most versatile luxury watches to own, the Omega Aqua Terra lives up to its land-to-sea name by pairing good looks with robust specs. Since its debut in 2002, the Aqua Terra has established itself as one of the best GADA timepieces — equally at home, in the office, out on the water, or anywhere in between. With a design rooted in Omega’s maritime heritage and a build that offers practicality without compromising on style, it’s easy to see why the Aqua Terra has become a go-to piece. However, in true Omega fashion, the Aqua Terra collection is an expansive one with plenty of variations, which can make picking the right one challenging. But fear not; this comprehensive guide to Omega Aqua Terra watches is here to help make sense of what’s on offer.

Brief History of the Omega Aqua Terra

Officially known as the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M and introduced in 2002 as a well-engineered yet simply-styled time-and-date watch, the Aqua Terra collection quickly expanded to include a multitude of materials, colorways, sizes, and complications. There have been three main generations of the standard time/date Aqua Terra for men model (segmented by caliber) since its inception less than two decades ago, with the newest one debuting in 2017.

The first generation Aqua Terra watches ran on Caliber 2500, which is Omega’s co-axial version of the ETA 2892-A2 ebauche. In 2008, the second Aqua Terra generation made its debut, this time powered by the in-house Omega Caliber 8500.

In 2013, the Seamaster Aqua Terra > 15’000 Gauss was unveiled, highlighting the watch’s extreme resistance to magnetism. This was a notable release as it paved the way for the future METAS-certified Omega Master Chronometer movements, all of which are resistant to 15,000 gauss.

Finally, the third generation was released in 2017, equipped with the METAS-certified Master Chronometer Omega Caliber 8900. Before we move on, there are a few important details to consider. These are the movements found in the larger men’s Aqua Terra models with time and date functionality; other sizes, models, and complications are equipped with other movements. Also, These movement families include derivatives; for instance, Caliber 8900 has other versions such as the more decorative Caliber 8901 used in some precious metal iterations.

In 2021, Omega introduced the Aqua Terra Small Seconds in 38mm and 41mm sizes, the former featuring Caliber 8802 and the latter featuring Caliber 8916.

Back-tracking a little bit, Omega unveiled the Aqua Terra Railmaster in 2003 and produced it until early 2010s, available in a wide array of sizes from a restrained 36mm all the way up to 49.2mm in the form of the Aqua Terra XXL. Even when Omega withdrew the Aqua Terra Railmaster from the market, the XXL versions continued to appear in the Aqua Terra catalog, retaining the 49.2mm case but featuring more classic AT dials rather than the vintage-inspired Railmaster ones.

Omega introduced chronograph and GMT versions of the Aqua Terra as early as 2009 and annual calendar versions joined the catalog in 2010. Other complicated Aqua Terra models include day-date versions (introduced in 2013 but now discontinued) and Worldtimer models (introduced in 2017). Aside from the Worldtimer, Omega has discontinued Aqua Terra watches with complications, choosing to focus on the flagship time and date models instead. Another once-popular but now discontinued model is the Aqua Terra Golf edition, released in 2011 and featuring a “golf green” minute track on a black striped dial.

As its name suggests, the Aqua Terra Ultralight sub-collection — introduced in 2019 — features exceedingly light titanium cases. The Aqua Terra Shades lineup includes colorful dials and was released in 2023. Finally, in 2024, Omega introduced a micro-adjustment clasp feature on the bracelets of Aqua Terra models with black lacquer dials — a feature we fully expect to roll out on more AT models.

Aqua Terra Timeline

• 2002 – First Generation Aqua Terra 41 Time/Date with Caliber 2500
• 2003 – Aqua Terra Railmaster
• 2008 – Second Generation Aqua Terra 41.5 Time/Date with Caliber 8500
• 2009 – Aqua Terra Chronograph, Aqua Terra GMT
• 2010 – Aqua Terra Annual Calendar, Aqua Terra XXL
• 2011 – Aqua Terra Golf
• 2013 – Aqua Terra > 15’000 Gauss, Aqua Terra Day-Date
• 2017 – Third Generation Aqua Terra 41 Time/Date with Caliber 8900, Aqua Terra Worldtimer
• 2019 – Aqua Terra Ultralight
• 2020 – Aqua Terra Precious
• 2023 – Aqua Terra Shades
• 2024 – Aqua Terra lacquer dials with new micro-adjustment clasps
• 2025 – Aqua Terra 30 with Caliber 8750/8751

Key Aqua Terra Watch Features

• Round cases water resistant to 150 meters
• Slim round bezels
• Lyre lugs
• Handset with an arrow-tipped minute hand
• Sizes: The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra collection has been made in a variety of case sizes to suit different preferences and wrist sizes.
  28 mm – Quartz-powered ladies’ models (discontinued).
  30mm – Smallest automatic powered Aqua Terra models, marketed at ladies
  34 mm – Current versions of the 34mm Aqua Terra, aimed mostly at ladies but sometimes regarded as unisex, have a round date window at 6 o’clock. This is the smaller of two sizes of Shades model.
  36 mm – A versatile discontinued size that appeals to men who prefer smaller watches.
  38 mm – A popular mid-size option, balancing sportiness and elegance. It’s the larger of the two Shades sizes and the smaller of the two Aqua Terra Small Seconds sizes.
  39.2 mm – Found in some older models, such as the Railmaster.
  41 mm – One of the most common and popular sizes for men’s Aqua Terra models.
  43 mm – The size of the Aqua Terra GMT and Worldtimer models.
  44 mm – Some chronograph versions of the Aqua Terra.
  49.2 mm – The Railmaster XXL and Aqua Terra XXL shared this mammoth case size.

Although there is plenty of variation within the Seamaster Aqua Terra catalog, there are some key features that tie them all together. First of all, all Aqua Terra watches are water resistant to 150 meters; remember, these watches are part of the very broad Omega Seamaster collection so resistance to water is key here. All Aqua Terra watches have round cases, slim-ish round bezels, and lyre lugs. Bezels are either unengraved metal ones or gem-set ones.

Another defining feature of an Omega Aqua Terra watch is its handset, more specifically the arrow tip on the minute hand. Furthermore, all Aqua Terra hands benefit from lume for in-the-dark legibility.

Although Omega offers the Aqua Terra in a wide assortment of dial styles, the striped “teak dials” are by far the most ubiquitous, inspired by the wooden decks of luxury yachts. Depending on the generation, those stripes can be vertical (older models) or horizontal (new models.)

In late 2024, Omega introduced micro-adjustment mechanisms on the then-new black lacquer Aqua Terra watches — no doubt this practical feature will be rolled out to most if not all AT references in the future.

Guide to Omega Aqua Terra 41

The Aqua Terra 41 is the flagship model of the collection for men. The 41mm case is available in stainless steel, gold (rose or yellow), or two-tone steel and gold. The hour markers are slim trapezoids (pointing inward) while the date window, located at 6 o’clock, is also trapezoidal but much wider in shape. The dial is also home to a minute/seconds scale around the periphery and plenty of lashings of lume on the hands and indices.

Depending on the case material, Aqua Terra 41 watches can be paired with three-link metal bracelets, leather bands, or rubber straps. The movement that drives the current generation of Aqua Terra 41 watches is the Caliber 8900, visible through the sapphire casebacks and supplying 60 hours of power reserve.

Caliber 8900 vs Caliber 8500

The quickest way to tell the difference between the Aqua Terra models with Caliber 8500 and the newer Aqua Terra 41 watches with Caliber 8900 is to look at the placement of the date window — 3 o’clock for the former and 6 o’clock for the latter. However, there are some other differences to note, as illustrated by the table below.

	Aqua Terra Caliber 8900 Generation	Aqua Terra Caliber 8500 Generation
Case Size	41mm	41.5mm
Winding Crown	Smaller, Rounder Bead-blast finish with polished logo	Larger, More Square Shape (easier to grip) Brushed finish with polished logo
Date Placement	6 o’clock	3 o’clock
Teak Dial Stripes	Horizontal	Vertical
Dial Inscription	Co-Axial Master Chronometer	Co-Axial Chronometer (2008 – 2012) Master Co-Axial Chronometer (2013 to 2016)
Bracelet End-Links	Female end-links Shorter lug-to-lug	Male end-links Longer lug-to-lug
Bracelet Links	Thinner and flatter	Thicker and rounder
METAS Certified	Yes	No
Quick-set feature	Quick-set hour	Quick-set date

Aqua Terra 38

As its name suggests, the Aqua Terra 38 is a more compact version, sporting a 38mm case. Again, cases are offered in a multitude of materials and paired with a choice of metal bracelets, leather straps, or rubber bands.

Omega draws a line between the men’s men’s Aqua Terra 38 watches and women’s Aqua Terra 38 watches largely through the dial executions. If we look at these dials side by side, we see that the women’s versions have oval-shaped date windows instead of trapezoids, rounder hour markers, and wave patterns instead of stripes. I personally think this is silly as I much prefer the “men’s” dial executions but I suppose Omega thinks the “women’s” versions are more feminine. Luckily, given the case sizes and movements are the same, we can just pick whichever dial style we prefer.

The movement that powers the current production Aqua Terra 38 watches is the self-winding Caliber 8800 (or the more decorated 8801) with 55 hours of power reserve.

Aqua Terra 34

While generally marketed towards women, the 34mm versions of the Aqua Terra and sometimes referred to as unisex models. They are available in steel, various shades of gold, or two-tone steel and gold. The date windows (if present) on the Aqua Terra 34 models are round while the hour markers are elongated. Powering the time and date versions of the Aqua Terra 34 is the same Caliber 8800 found inside the Aqua Terra 38 models.

Aqua Terra 30

Introduced as part of the 2025 Omega releases, the Aqua Terra 30 is now the smallest automatic variant in the collection. The lineup launched with 12 references, including steel, two-tone steel/gold, Sedna gold, and Moonshine gold options. There are also some versions with diamond-set bezels. Dials include circular date windows at 6 o’clock, and hour markers are either boat hull-shaped indexes coated with lume or diamond-set ones. Omega opted to pair all the references with case-matching bracelets, complete with the new comfort-setting clasps.

To power these newest Aqua Terra models, Omega debuted two new self-winding movements: Caliber 8750 for the steel and two-tone models and Caliber 8751 for the gold editions. Both movements supply 48 hours of power reserve, operate at 25,200 beats per hour, are Certified Master Chronometers approved by METAS, and are resistant to 15,000 gauss.

Aqua Terra Small Seconds

In 2021, Omega added yet another model to the collection in the form of the Aqua Terra Small Seconds. As its name suggests, rather than a central seconds hand, there’s a subdial at 6 o’clock, also home to the date window. The Aqua Terra Small Seconds is available in 38mm or 41mm, and in true Omega form, offered in a range of case metals, strap materials, and dial colors.

Powering the Aqua Terra Small Seconds 41mm is Caliber 8916 whereas Caliber 8802 serves to drive the smaller 38mm variants. It’s also important to note that Omega offers some of the 38mm versions with diamonds, whether set into the bezel or as hour markers.

Aqua Terra Shades

Next up in our guide to Omega Aqua Terra watches is the Shades sub-collection.

In 2022, Omega released a selection of models with colorful dials, dubbed the Aqua Terra Shades collection. The initial batch of models were all crafted in stainless steel and the dial colors offered within the 38mm models included Atlantic Blue, Bay Green, Sandstone, Saffron, and Terracotta. On the other hand, the Aqua Terra Shades 34mm variants offered dial colors such as Sea Blue, Lagoon Green, Sandstone, Shell Pink, and Lavender. The dials are crafted from brass, sun-brushed outwards from the center, and then given a layer of lacquer for extra depth.

Interestingly, since then, other models with gold or two-tone cases with relatively neutral dial colors (for instance, gold, silver, and rose gold) have joined the Shades sub-collection, which honestly, confuses matters. I suppose they’re classified as “Shades” versions due to the inclusion of the sun-brushed finish and lacquer on the dial — however, I think it would have been more organized to just keep colorful versions here instead of diluting the selection with neutral tones.

Powering the watches is the customary Caliber 8800, or the more decorated Caliber 8801 for the precious metal versions.

Aqua Terra Worldtimer

In 2017, Omega unveiled the Aqua Terra Worldtimer with a 43mm platinum case, limited to only 87 pieces. Two years later, regular production models in steel and gold joined the lineup, cementing the Worldtimer’s spot in the Aqua Terra collection.

Aqua Terra Worldtimer watches sport 43mm cases and are available in titanium, stainless steel, or Sedna gold. Some variations include ceramic bezels (black, blue, or green) while others feature metal bezels. Plus, as always, there’s a choice of metal bracelets, leather straps, or rubber bands. However, what they all have in common is their dial layout, which includes a 24-hour ring towards the center to be used in conjunction with the cities around the periphery to read 24 time zones simultaneously. At the center of the dial is a relief depiction of the continents.

Making the mechanics possible on the Aqua Terra Worldtimer is the self-winding Caliber 8938 with 60 hours of power reserve.

Other Models

While we’ve covered plenty of models within our guide to Omega Aqua Terra watches, there is still more to discover if you can believe it! As Omega likes to do, there are of course, special edition Aqua Terra watches made in honor of some of the brand’s partnerships — specifically, James Bond and the Olympics.

Aqua Terra Spectre

Released in 2015 for the 007 film Spectre, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra > 15,007 Gauss was a heavily Bond-branded limited edition (15,007 pieces) model. The dial, decorated with a repetitive Bond family coat of arms motif, is not only home to the famed 007 logo in yellow but also a coat of arms on the seconds hand. Many collectors love the contrast of the unique yellow seconds hand against the patterned navy blue dial, but the punny “15,007 Gauss” text is more divisive. Visible through the sapphire caseback is Caliber 8507, complete with a gun barrel-inspired rotor with the “James Bond” inscription at the center.

Olympic Aqua Terra

Omega has produced several Olympic Aqua Terra watches, including ones for the Toyko 2020 Games, Beijing 2022 Games, and Paris 2024 Games. The Omega Olympic Toyko Aqua Terra watches featured 41mm cases — in steel or yellow gold — and blue leather or rubber straps. However, what made these special edition Aqua Terra models stand out were their ceramic dials (a first for the AT collection), rendered and blue and decorated with a laser-engraved Tokyo 2020 pattern. The Beijing 2022 Olympic Aqua Terra watch was fashioned entirely in stainless steel, from its 41mm case to its three-link bracelet, and housed a white ceramic dial with a special frosted finish pattern to mimic the snow of the Winter Games.

The Aqua Terra watch associated with the Paris 2024 Games was actually made in honor of Swedish pole vault legend Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, complete with a blue and yellow color as a tribute to the athlete’s native country. What’s interesting about this particular model is that it belongs to the Omega Aqua Terra “Ultra Light” collection (yes, yet another AT sub-collection). Omega announced the Ultra Light Aqua Terra in 2019, designed in collaboration with golfer Rory McIlroy. It was designed to be so light that you could wear it during a golf game (or any sport, for that matter), weighing a mere 55 grams thanks in part to the Gamma Titanium case and ceramized titanium movement. Not only are these Aqua Terra watches ultra-light but they’re also ultra-expensive, retailing for more than $50,000.

Pricing

Given the depth and breadth of the Aqua Terra collection, it comes as no surprise that price points will vary wildly depending on year of production, model, material, and style. However, if we focus on the core current offerings, a new Aqua Terra 41mm in stainless steel (bracelet included), expect to pay around $6,300 to $6,600 at retail. Secondary market prices for the same models hover around $5,000 or less. Interestingly, smaller sizes in 38mm and 34mm are priced the same as 41mm at retail; secondary market prices are different, however, with smaller sizes typically costing less.

The stainless steel Omega Aqua Terra Shade models are priced at $6,600 in either size, but on the secondary market, prices range from $4,700 to $6,300.

The least expensive Aqua Terra at retail in 2025 is the stainless steel 41mm model on a leather strap, available in blue or green, priced at $5,900. A pre-owned version of the same model will cost around $5,000. However, if you shop for older generation Aqua Terra models, such as the second generation models with Caliber 8500, you can find one within the $3,000 to $4,000 price range.

To sum up, the Aqua Terra by Omega is a solid choice for a GADA watch, built to withstand water, magnetism, and the daily grind while also staying stylish and luxurious. With the amount of variety this collection offers, it’s likely you can find the perfect Aqua Terra watch to fit your taste and budget.