Personal Review: Omega Aqua Terra 39mm Cal. 2500

This is the second Aqua Terra watch that I owned, the first one being exactly the same model, but in two-tone steel and rosegold, with a white dial and rose gold indexes. It was eventually sold for a profit, and used the fund to buy something else. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the watch, and kept on a hunt looking for one. There was a 41mm preowned with gray dial before, but someone got to it faster than I did, and well to be honest, I prefer the 38.5-39mm range, because it fits my wrist better.

Now let me get this out of the way – that bracelet, is NOT an Aqua Terra bracelet, and I will explain why further along when I get to the part.

So I finally managed to get a local dealer who is selling an Aqua Terra, at 39mm, this is one of the earlier versions, with Co-Axial escapement Cal. 2500. I think this is probably the best “fit” for me, as it is neither too small nor too big, and they are going for reasonable prices as well. Such as this example of mine, watch only and comes with a bracelet, I only got it for around $1100.

Pretty cheap, for such a class of a watch, but there’s a catch, there is a circular mark on the dial, hence why it’s so down the price. To me the mark is pretty invisible and you can only see it when a very strong direct light hits it, and only in certain angles. It is of course, more obvious in photographs too, than in daily wear.

The Aqua Terra is a thin watch, as you can see from the side profile, it is a great watch to wear. It almost feel so lightweight that you forget that you are wearing it. The lug to lug distance, is also considerably shorter than most of the other watches in the same size – only about 47mm, which is super wearable.

You also get a 20mm lug width, which is my favorite, the newer 38.5mm ones have a 19mm lug width, so keep that in mind if you are a strap person and you hate odd lug widths as much as I do. So if I wanted a newer version of Aqua Terrra, I would go for either the 41 or 41.5mm, as they have the 20mm lug width as well.

The watch is very compact, and it actually wears smaller than the spec suggests, especially comparing it to say an OP39mm which is probably it’s closest comparison. Due to the shape of Omege’s lyre lugs and shorter and thinner too, it makes the watch a little bit more under the radar.

The dial is spacious, and very well laid out. I think the dial is one Aqua Terra’s strongest points, I personally feel they almost have no “ugly dials”. The one that I have, is a black glossy one, and when I mean glossy it’s almost to the point of the SMPc dial glossy – keep in mind the almost. The Seamaster SMPc dial is glossier.

The indices and the hands are highly polished, with faceted sides, this makes the watch bling in some situation, while not making it too blingy, it is very well polished, with razor sharp edges, and I think it’s really great. I personally find the finishing on the dial is very well made considering the time it was produced, and how well it kept it’s integrity even after quite some years of wear.

There is also a very nice discreet date window at 3, with the same coloured date-wheel. Same coloured date-wheels are the best in my opinion, not only it is very thoughtful, but it gives the whole watch a much better aesthetic. Imagine this watch having a white date wheel – while not a total deal breaker, but the cleanliness of the dial will be distracted.

You can also see there are some dots of lume here and there, while I think they are completely useless, it does glow for a bit in the dark. But I think they are too small for anything, and they would be better to omit it out completely.

I’m not sure if you can see the circular marks that I meant, but it doesn’t appear in this picture, but I can see a very faint one on the previous pics above.

The watch comes with a display caseback, made of sapphire glass as far as I know, and offers a pretty good view. As I stated before the watch comes with calibre 2500 co-axial escapement, and comes in 4 (yes four) different versions – A B C D, you can easily look at the code on the movement itself, very near the balance wheel. The best ones are (or so Im told) the C and D versions, as they are designed better and have less problems.

I can also share that there are people with A and B versions, with no problems too, so take it with a grain of salt. But there IS something true – which is the fact that Omega DID in fact change the design of the movement slightly between the versions, so it’s not just folklore, there are different parts inside the movement. The only part that you should take a grain of salt is the A and B versions breaks down easily.

The movement is decently finished, it has coates de geneve finishing here and there, but nothing too fancy. I think it’s great but not awesome, but at least you get a view.

Now last but not least, the bracelet. The watch comes with a full brushed – oyster like – bracelet. While the bracelet is great, with a functional but unusual clasp system, it doesn’t come with micro adjustments. While I am still completely unsure why they persists on having many of their watches with micro adjustments, I find that to be EXTREMELY annoying.

To get the best fit out of the watch, I probably have to order in 2 more half links or so, which to me, is completely annoying. Given the fact that the bracelet is also fitted with a friction pin instead of a screw pin, makes me way too lazy to switch around myself.

So – I tried fitting it with a hollow end link aftermarket osyer bracelet – for Rolex. An abomination yes, but it wears very well and I think it fits really great. I don’t mind the look as it is not so different from the original ones. Aside from my aftermarket bracelet being beat up, I find that it fits comfortably, and gives me the pleasure of micro adjsuting it. Now I am going to order an aftermarket bracelet with the glidelock mechanism, to give it an even better wear, and they are cheap too. Of course you can’t compare these bracelets with original factory made bracelets, but hey, it works just fine to me.

For those of you having problems with Omega bracelets, you should try it out if you like how it looks. It also fit seamasters (the older ones at least – and yes I have tried myself), and also older Speedmasters.

Overall I think the Aqua Terra is a great watch, and especially given it’s market pre-owned price, I think it is value for money. The one I got is a great deal – to me – and will probably swap the dial out if I feel like it and if it’s not too expensive after these lockdowns are eased. But as of right now, I think I got myself a pretty good daily beater, with great movement and looks, and very comfortable fit (thanks to the franken bracelet LOL), and I don’t have to worry too much about it too due to the nature of it’s price.

With my 16.5cm circumference wrist, the watch wears really nicely, and can go easily under cuffs should you wish so.

I still also think the newer versions are great, but I’m in annoyance that they made the bracelet in odd width, while the larger one, is a tad too large for my liking (Yes I can still pull it off). And also you have to note that the newer ones I believe are also thicker, but with a much better, refined, and definitely a more reliable movement inside.

It is also a great candidate for “a one watch collection” should you wish so, and at a more accessible pricepoint too for those starting to go into luxury watches.

Thank you for reading!

The Aqua Terra has long been one of Omega’s most underrated watch IMHO, it is probably one of the most versatile watches that you can get, it comes with a range of dial colours, material combinationsn, and different sizes as well to suit most wrists. However, due to the popularity of the more well-known models such as the Speedmaster and Seamasters, the Aqua Terras often get overlooked.This is the second Aqua Terra watch that I owned, the first one being exactly the same model, but in two-tone steel and rosegold, with a white dial and rose gold indexes. It was eventually sold for a profit, and used the fund to buy something else. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the watch, and kept on a hunt looking for one. There was a 41mm preowned with gray dial before, but someone got to it faster than I did, and well to be honest, I prefer the 38.5-39mm range, because it fits my wrist better.Now let me get this out of the way – that bracelet, is NOT an Aqua Terra bracelet, and I will explain why further along when I get to the part.So I finally managed to get a local dealer who is selling an Aqua Terra, at 39mm, this is one of the earlier versions, with Co-Axial escapement Cal. 2500. I think this is probably the best “fit” for me, as it is neither too small nor too big, and they are going for reasonable prices as well. Such as this example of mine, watch only and comes with a bracelet, I only got it for around $1100.Pretty cheap, for such a class of a watch, but there’s a catch, there is a circular mark on the dial, hence why it’s so down the price. To me the mark is pretty invisible and you can only see it when a very strong direct light hits it, and only in certain angles. It is of course, more obvious in photographs too, than in daily wear.The Aqua Terra is a thin watch, as you can see from the side profile, it is a great watch to wear. It almost feel so lightweight that you forget that you are wearing it. The lug to lug distance, is also considerably shorter than most of the other watches in the same size – only about 47mm, which is super wearable.You also get a 20mm lug width, which is my favorite, the newer 38.5mm ones have a 19mm lug width, so keep that in mind if you are a strap person and you hate odd lug widths as much as I do. So if I wanted a newer version of Aqua Terrra, I would go for either the 41 or 41.5mm, as they have the 20mm lug width as well.The watch is very compact, and it actually wears smaller than the spec suggests, especially comparing it to say an OP39mm which is probably it’s closest comparison. Due to the shape of Omege’s lyre lugs and shorter and thinner too, it makes the watch a little bit more under the radar.The dial is spacious, and very well laid out. I think the dial is one Aqua Terra’s strongest points, I personally feel they almost have no “ugly dials”. The one that I have, is a black glossy one, and when I mean glossy it’s almost to the point of the SMPc dial glossy – keep in mind the almost. The Seamaster SMPc dial is glossier.The indices and the hands are highly polished, with faceted sides, this makes the watch bling in some situation, while not making it too blingy, it is very well polished, with razor sharp edges, and I think it’s really great. I personally find the finishing on the dial is very well made considering the time it was produced, and how well it kept it’s integrity even after quite some years of wear.There is also a very nice discreet date window at 3, with the same coloured date-wheel. Same coloured date-wheels are the best in my opinion, not only it is very thoughtful, but it gives the whole watch a much better aesthetic. Imagine this watch having a white date wheel – while not a total deal breaker, but the cleanliness of the dial will be distracted.You can also see there are some dots of lume here and there, while I think they are completely useless, it does glow for a bit in the dark. But I think they are too small for anything, and they would be better to omit it out completely.I’m not sure if you can see the circular marks that I meant, but it doesn’t appear in this picture, but I can see a very faint one on the previous pics above.The watch comes with a display caseback, made of sapphire glass as far as I know, and offers a pretty good view. As I stated before the watch comes with calibre 2500 co-axial escapement, and comes in 4 (yes four) different versions – A B C D, you can easily look at the code on the movement itself, very near the balance wheel. The best ones are (or so Im told) the C and D versions, as they are designed better and have less problems.I can also share that there are people with A and B versions, with no problems too, so take it with a grain of salt. But there IS something true – which is the fact that Omega DID in fact change the design of the movement slightly between the versions, so it’s not just folklore, there are different parts inside the movement. The only part that you should take a grain of salt is the A and B versions breaks down easily.The movement is decently finished, it has coates de geneve finishing here and there, but nothing too fancy. I think it’s great but not awesome, but at least you get a view.Now last but not least, the bracelet. The watch comes with a full brushed – oyster like – bracelet. While the bracelet is great, with a functional but unusual clasp system, it doesn’t come with micro adjustments. While I am still completely unsure why they persists on having many of their watches with micro adjustments, I find that to be EXTREMELY annoying.To get the best fit out of the watch, I probably have to order in 2 more half links or so, which to me, is completely annoying. Given the fact that the bracelet is also fitted with a friction pin instead of a screw pin, makes me way too lazy to switch around myself.So – I tried fitting it with a hollow end link aftermarket osyer bracelet – for Rolex. An abomination yes, but it wears very well and I think it fits really great. I don’t mind the look as it is not so different from the original ones. Aside from my aftermarket bracelet being beat up, I find that it fits comfortably, and gives me the pleasure of micro adjsuting it. Now I am going to order an aftermarket bracelet with the glidelock mechanism, to give it an even better wear, and they are cheap too. Of course you can’t compare these bracelets with original factory made bracelets, but hey, it works just fine to me.For those of you having problems with Omega bracelets, you should try it out if you like how it looks. It also fit seamasters (the older ones at least – and yes I have tried myself), and also older Speedmasters.Overall I think the Aqua Terra is a great watch, and especially given it’s market pre-owned price, I think it is value for money. The one I got is a great deal – to me – and will probably swap the dial out if I feel like it and if it’s not too expensive after these lockdowns are eased. But as of right now, I think I got myself a pretty good daily beater, with great movement and looks, and very comfortable fit (thanks to the franken bracelet LOL), and I don’t have to worry too much about it too due to the nature of it’s price.With my 16.5cm circumference wrist, the watch wears really nicely, and can go easily under cuffs should you wish so.I still also think the newer versions are great, but I’m in annoyance that they made the bracelet in odd width, while the larger one, is a tad too large for my liking (Yes I can still pull it off). And also you have to note that the newer ones I believe are also thicker, but with a much better, refined, and definitely a more reliable movement inside.It is also a great candidate for “a one watch collection” should you wish so, and at a more accessible pricepoint too for those starting to go into luxury watches.Thank you for reading!