The days are continuing with daytime temperatures easily exceeding 20 degrees.

The watch I am reviewing this time is one I have kept for a long time but rarely wore, Often referred to as a “watch in the wardrobe.” In fact, After several moves and the belongings that naturally follow, I did not even know where it was hidden, So I had to search the house for quite a while. Thanks to the watch, I ended up doing a thorough cleaning, And with a refreshed feeling, I found today’s main character, The Omega Aqua Terra (Omega Aqua Terra 2503.80.00).

© omegawatches

The Aqua Terra collection is already very famous, And there are many enthusiasts who treat their watches with more care than I do, So I will skip the detailed explanation. This is a subjective review focused on actual wear.

© watchcharts

Dial

It seems only natural that everyone’s eyes are drawn to different parts of a watch at first glance. Of course, This may also change depending on the watch. I usually look at the dial first and examine it closely, And this watch was no exception.

Blue dial with a vivid shine

The first word that comes to mind is “Bling.” While a watch serves the functional purpose of telling time, Its stylish appearance cannot be overlooked, And this watch is definitely a fashionable piece. I received this watch as a gift from my uncle 15 years ago. I did not realize it at the time, But the dial’s inner diameter of 39.2mm is laid out more spaciously than expected, Which seems to amplify the coolness of the blue dial color. The shine of the dial is also in excellent condition for a 15-year-old watch, And when combined with the stainless steel case material, The luxury is even more pronounced. It seems likely that a professional polishing was done in the past to hide traces of time. Fortunately, There are no visible deformations to the naked eye, So it appears to have been handled by a skilled expert.

15-year-old watch's Bling

Personally, It is not bothersome to my eyes, But the shine of the dial and the sapphire crystal can reflect light more strongly than expected, So those who do not prefer excessive bling might find this a bit disappointing. On the other hand, I think this feature makes it perfect as an accent for simple and plain summer fashion.

(“I am not an ordinary watch”)

The sharp polishing done at the time of production is still present on the indexes and hands, Making them sparkle attractively under natural light. Especially, The pointed hands and tapered indexes seem to express the strictness of time, And wearing this watch gives a silent pressure to always be punctual. It feels as if the watch is admonishing me, Saying, “I am not the ordinary watch you know, ” making me feel a bit guilty. (As the owner, I reflect on not taking it out more often in the dark.)

The lume is still alive

When I observed the watch alone in a dark room at dusk, The luminous dots at the ends of the indexes and hands began to faintly glow like fireflies. The dots are relatively small, But discovering even a small light brings out the child within me. However, After fiddling with it in the dark for about five minutes, I personally wondered if the lume was really necessary functionally, Which was a bit disappointing. If you simply expect and want the fun of lume in the dark, You will be satisfied without much discomfort.

Case

The case diameter is 39.2mm, Which is optimal for me as I prefer watches under 40mm. The first-generation Aqua Terra was released in the early 2000s in three sizes (42.2mm, 39.2mm, 36.2mm), And this watch seems to be the mid-size 39.2mm. When compared by size alone, The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 Blue Dial 114300 comes to mind. Of course, They are very different watches when you look closely.

Omega Aqua Terra 2503.80.00 vs. Rolex OP 114300

When I measured the lug-to-lug length, It was about 47mm, So the watch actually feels smaller. The case thickness is also thin at 11mm, So when worn on the wrist, It strikes a good balance between presence and comfort. As I write this, I realize that the IWC Spitfire (case size 39mm, Thickness 10.8mm) I previously reviewed is almost the same size, Which is quite interesting. Perhaps this is fate.

11mm case thickness on the wrist

The case material is corrosion-resistant stainless steel, Befitting the Seamaster family name, Adding a coolness that seems to beat the summer heat. In particular, With water resistance up to 150m, It makes you want to dive into the sea even more.

Caseback / Movement

The caseback is a transparent sapphire see-through, Allowing you to view the movement, Which is impressive. Personally, Such a see-through back serves as a stimulus that makes me appreciate the value of a watch anew.

Aqua Terra caseback, Omega Caliber 2500 © watchbase

If you can appreciate the “art” of this watch from the front, The back offers the “technology” that is hidden and not easily seen. Only those who have experienced it will understand, But it is a moment when the unique charm of the watch, Which you want to share widely with friends, Is felt once again. This model is equipped with the Omega Co-Axial Caliber 2500. This movement was first successfully installed in the De Ville collection in 1999, And thanks to its success, It was later applied to the Aqua Terra line. Looking closely at the movement, You can see the “Geneva stripes, ” also known as “Côtes de Genève, ” forming a parallel line pattern. Watch enthusiasts who like to examine and appreciate the movement in detail will pay attention to such details, And I feel I still have a long way to go as a watch lover.

The charm of “Geneva stripes, ” also known as “Côtes de Genève”
© millenarywatches

Additionally, The Caliber 2500 has been released in several revised versions (2500A, 2500B, 2500C, 2500D) to improve performance. Considering that this watch, 2503.80.00, Has a power reserve of 48 hours, I suspect it is at least the Caliber 2500C revision.

Bracelet

Regardless of its age, The wearing comfort is above average. For people like me with a lot of wrist hair, Wearing a steel bracelet can sometimes result in hair getting caught between the links and being pulled out, Causing an unexpected jolt, But fortunately, That did not happen this time.

Bracelet that does not pull hair

Perhaps because of the light weight of 137g, There are times when I momentarily forget that the watch is on my wrist. On a warm day when sweat beads form on my forehead even after a light walk, The coolness of the stainless steel bracelet makes its presence felt on my wrist.

Sliding clasp

The clasp is a sliding clasp that operates by pressing a button. At first, I was a bit worried that it might come undone if I accidentally pressed the button. However, After wearing it for several weeks in daily life, There were no issues during normal activities. However, I recommend taking off the watch during vigorous activities such as exercise.

Overall Review

Even after 15 years, It is undoubtedly a watch that can be worn with pride in the Omega brand without any burden. The wearing comfort is excellent, And above all, The combination of stainless steel and sapphire crystal shows the deep heritage of the Aqua Terra, Even though it is an older model. Personally, I tried to wear this watch more often, But it was also a watch that I did not reach for on my way to work. Looking back, I think it is because I prefer watches that do not attract attention. The Aqua Terra is a consistently popular collection, And there are active trades by generation and size preferences within VIVER. Regardless of whether it is an old or new model, I would like to see people who wear it more stylishly than I do.

Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.03.004

41mm, Blue

Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.03.005

41mm, Summer Blue

Aqua Terra 2503.80.00

39.2mm, Blue

I will end this review while imagining the next watch to be placed on my wrist.

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