In 2017, OMEGA introduced a series of new watches from their popular Seamaster Aqua Terra collection. To pay a special tribute to them, OMEGA hosted a glamorous gala-dinner at the prestige Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice, the place where the Seamaster history began.
The Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice
Not everyone is aware of the fact that the iconic logo on the caseback of all Seamaster watches have been inspired by the seahorse emblems on the side of Venice Gondolas! It stands for the close relationship to water that the Seamaster collection originally has been developed for. Some even say that a designer at Omega discovered the seahorse on a trip to Venice in the late 1950s and the idea was born.
OMEGA’s Aqua Terra and Venice share a very special connection
But not only horses and water are the reason for Venice, also wood plays an important role at the (new) Aqua Terra models. The Gondolas and Riva boats, which are unmistakable seen in Venice are mainly made of (teak) wood, that is being used on the Seamaster Aqua Terra watches since 2008. The most notable changes on the 2017 types include the teak wood patterns on the dial which now run horizontally, as opposed to vertically which they were arranged until now. The Aqua Terra collection was first introduced in 2002 and symbolizes a good mixture between a casual and sporty watch – hence the Latin name Aqua (water) and Terra (earth). It’s an elegant timepiece, which offers all sporty features.
New – the horizontally arranged teak wood patterns on the dial
Besides the obvious replacement of the teak wood position, some of the most popular features have been enhanced or subtly transformed. For a more symmetric case the date has been replaced from 3 to 6 o’clock. You will now find the inscription ‘water-resistance’ on the caseback for a clearer vision on the dial. From now on the wristband can be replaced by a rubber band that is connected to the case by an extra link in steel or 18-carat Sedna Gold. Sedna by the way is a mixture of Gold, Copper and Palladium, which turns into 18-carat rosé gold with 75% gold-content. A beautiful special gold alloy that OMEGA started using in 2013.
The new Aqua Terra – sporty and elegant
This year the new Seamaster Aqua Terra watches are classified Master Chronometers, meaning that they have been certified by METAS (for detailed information please see our article OMEGA Master Chronometer). Master Chronometers can also withstand a magnetic exposure of 15.000 Gauss, which already is a remarkable achievement. In 2016, Omega took the Aqua Terra to new heights and tested the watch to an exposure of 160.000 Gauss. It is hardly imaginable, but the calibre was not affected under these enormous circumstances. However this was only an internal experiment. We are not affected by this intense Gauss exposure in our daily life.
Master Chronometer certified
This year, OMEGA has introduced three new Aqua Terra models which cost between 5.000,- to 7.300,- Euro.
