The OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra Gets a New Black Lacquer Dial

Back in black

Recently, OMEGA introduced a triumvirate of new models in the Seamaster Aqua Terra Collection. Hype around the watches has been somewhat subdued, by comparison with that surrounding the release of the white-dialed Speedmaster or the lovely FOiS Speedy. Nonetheless, the launch of the black lacquer dial OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra might be far more important for the brand in the long game, as it fills a hole many may not even have realized existed.

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m Black Dial Watch Review — The black lacquer dial OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m @calibre321

The new black lacquer dial OMEGA Aqua Terra comes in three sizes and two movements. The 34 and 38mm references are powered by the in-house calibre 8800. However, for the purposes of this review, we’ll focus on the 41mm iteration (220.10.41.21.01.001), which we managed to spend some time with in the metal.

A Brief History of Seiko Dive Watches

Key features of the black lacquer dial OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m

Though not officially part of that stable, the 41mm black dial Seamaster Aqua Terra is similarly speced to the Aqua Terra Shades Collection. It features a familiar 316L stainless steel case with a 48mm lug-to-lug and a height of 13.4mm. The crown and exhibition case back are screw-down, and true to the model name, offer up 150m of water resistance.

Black Lacquer Dial and Domed Sapphire Crystal

The watch is capped in a curved sapphire dome with a flat sapphire crystal on the backside. Of course, you could already purchase a black-dialed Aqua Terra in either 38 or 41mm prior to this most recent release; however, those watches feature the brand’s “teak deck” texturing–as a nod to yachting heritage. This dial marks a departure, and comes in a deep lacquered black.

The black lacquer finish is lustrous in its absence of colour, like a dark subterranean pool, and feels very refined in comparison to the teak deck models. The surface is fluid and sleek in the light, making it a perfect companion to the highly polished case. One might even call it “flashy” for all its simplicity. In fact, despite its similarities to past iterations, the black dial Aqua Terra looks and feels like a swanky cousin that would not appear out of place in a dinner jacket. The tall, wedged-shaped indices (found on the first Seamster model in 1948) provide ample depth and visual interest. The rhodium-plated hands also feel well-proportioned.

Black lacquer dial Seamaster Aqua Terra gets the Calibre 8900

Unlike the smaller models in this release, the 41mm version is powered by OMEGA’s caliber 8900. The benefit here is a bump in power reserve from 55 hours to 60. However, with the 8900 you also get the quick-set hour hand, which is nice when travelling. The sacrifice, if you can call it that, is the loss of a quick-set date. In both movements, the date feature appears in the six o’clock position surrounded by polished steel. The calibre 8900 is, of course, a Co-axial Master Chronometer.

New bracelet

The bracelet, like the case, is full polish. This, too, is a departure from past versions. However, OMEGA have stuck with the butterfly clasp. This has always been a point of contention. On one hand, it offers a very classy, symmetrical appearance. On the other, it reduces your ability to adjust the bracelet somewhat. This time around, OMEGA have tried to mitigate this with a 2mm comfort adjust, operated with a push button mechanism. However, this should not be viewed as a manner of sizing the bracelet. It is, rather, a method for relieving stress as your wrist swells during the day–after a meal, say, or in the heat of a summer afternoon. It should be noted, that the new mechanism does leave a gap when deployed.

SPECS

Case	316L Stainless Steel 41mm Diameter 48mm Lug to Lug 13.4mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 150m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Domed Sapphire Crystal Black Lacquer Dial Wedge Markers Dauphine & Arrow Handset Super-LumiNova
Movement	Calibre 8900 METAS Co-Axial Master Chronometer 39 Jewels 25 200bph 60-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless Steel 3-Link Bracelet /w Butterfly Deployant Clasp & Comfort Adjust

The black dial OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m

Final Thoughts on the Seamaster Aqua Terra

While the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra has often been viewed as a GADA piece, the new black dial models lean toward dress watches. Despite the continued assurance of robust water resistance, the proliferation of polish and the inky, liquid black of the new dial are far more suited for formal situations. This isn’t a criticism. Far from it. Dependent upon your lifestyle, the black lacquer dial Seamaster Aqua Terra could very well be a ‘one-and-done’ timepiece. You could walk straight from the pool and into dinks and dinner with this watch. It is quite beautiful. And if your wrist allows for it, the 41mm model would be my choice of the three. For the same price, you get a superior movement and more bling for your buck–not to mention the more common 20mm lug width.

Pricing & Availability

The black lacquer dial OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Seamaster 150m retails for $6600 USD ($9000 CAD) on the bracelet. For more information, please visit the brand website.

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About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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