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Aqua Terra 2503.33.00 Review (2500C Movement)

  1. Fusion Sep 30, 2014

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    The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is a classic timepiece. It is an iteration of Omega's historic Seamaster line, that dates back decades.
    The Aqua Terra line has 150M water resistance, which is enough for most land lovers, including myself. I am not afraid to take it in the ocean, the shower, lake, or any other body of water that my body takes me. The Aqua Terra comes with either a quartz or automatic movement, both of which I have owned and enjoyed.

    The 2503.33.00 is a more rare, automatic only aqua terra with a white face and blue hands. It came in several sizes, the most common being 39.2mm and 42.2mm. My watch is the smaller size, and it works best on my 6" wrist. It could fit smaller wrists, as I still have two and a half removable links on the bracelet, unlike my 2254.50 which has every link taken out. Here are some pictures:
    2014-08-12 00.10.00.jpg
    2014-08-15 14.35.04.jpg

    The Omega 2500 movement first debuted in 1999. It is a relatively robust movement, the first in its class with a Co-Axial escapement, a watch piece designed by George Daniels and adopted by Omega in 1993. Originally Omega put a beatrate of 28,800 bph in their 2500. Daniels never intended for the Co-Axial escapement to be used with such a high beatrate so the watch was revised to have a 25,200 beatrate in Omega's 2500C (second revision). There were other issues with the 2500 movement, mostly having to do with residue accumulating on a part of the movement, sometimes causing the watch to stop. By the 2500D revision, this had been figured out by redesigning a couple parts. (specific and technical information can be found online about the different revisions.)
    The movement is nicely finished and in the Co-Axial Aqua Terra you get a nice sapphire display back to admire the 2500. My watch has the 2500C - the 2503.33.00 was available with the 2500B or the 2500C. (note: edited, we are pretty sure this watch was discontinued before the 2500D was released, thank you user fskywalker)

    I will say that sometimes the watch will stop and will need a light knock - this stopping only happens when the watch is dead and I am winding it up. Once it has reached maximum power reserve it has no issues.

    2014-08-11 22.01.21.jpg
    2014-08-11 22.01.40.jpg

    The watch hands and indices look almost black when you look at them head on in low light. When indoors, it is sometimes a challenge to really be able to see the blue on the watch, occasionally you will get a glint of it, but to be truly appreciated this watch must be seen in natural light. Some of my best photos are in the car, with my hand either on the steering wheel or out the window. I find that sunlight provides this watch the best light for the blue.

    2014-09-04 02.46.59.jpg

    2014-09-09 19.15.40.jpg
    2014-09-13 16.49.18.jpg

    The bracelet is extremely comfortable. It does not pull hairs, and is very elegant and high quality. I have only had the clasp undo itself twice, both times caused by accidentally pushing the button that opens the bracelet. I'm not afraid to take this on a boat, I feel the watch is very secure to my wrist.

    2014-07-23 16.51.48.jpg

    2014-09-24 12.08.21.jpg
    2014-09-10 09.09.10.jpg


    The major appeal in this watch is definitely the color. As you can see, it shows very differently in different situations. I love looking down when the light catches it just right...

    The watch has been very accurate. Mine was purchased in 2011 and has yet to be serviced and is running slightly faster than COSC specs. The watch has a quick-date function, that allows you to change the date window with the crown. Position one winds the watch, position two changes the date and the final position changes the time. This watch IS hackable.

    Overall I give this watch a 10/10. It took me a little while to find one, but it was definitely worth it. It is head and shoulders above a quartz Aqua Terra. The watch weighs a bit more than its quartz counterpart, and there is something indescribable about seeing the second hand move like it does. My quartz Aqua Terra's second hand did not land directly on the indices which bothered it more than it probably should have. There are slight cosmetic features such as the word 'seamaster' being below the Omega logo, and the words 'Co-Axial' on the dial. Also note that the automatic versions get an applied "OMEGA" logo (omega spelled out, below the greek letter logo) while the quartz gets an applied decal that does not have as much interest in my opinion:

    Screenshot 2014-09-30 15.03.24.png

    Let me know if you have any questions about this beautiful piece. I think this one is staying with me for a long time.

    [​IMG]

    Edit: 11/29/15
    Still loving the watch and added a mesh bracelet for a different look.

    [​IMG]

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    I also made a really crappy review the day I got the watch that's on YouTube. I kind of want to delete it because it's not good but I know people like to just see it on film too. When I have time I'll make a better one.
    Just look up 2503.33 and you'll see it. thumbnail is two Aqua Terra's.

    Here is another video I shot that shows the watch in motion in better quality:


    Hope this was helpful. Don't hesitate to post, I'm happy to post specific pics or answer questions. This is an amazing watch and I'm thankful to own it.
     
    Edited Apr 27, 2019
    Drof14, Buster, Ticker5 and 28 others like this.
  2. roach7 Oct 16, 2014

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    Nice writeup
     
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  3. speedbird Oct 16, 2014

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    An absolutely gorgeous machine
     
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  4. repoman Oct 16, 2014

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    solid review - how did I miss this when you first posted it? That blue on white looks so damn good.
     
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  5. Togri Nov 7, 2014

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    Good review :thumbsup: Makes me want to buy one.
     
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  6. pascs Nov 8, 2014

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    Great review :cool:

    They look great on a strap too and feel a little smaller on the wrist with a strap

    This is my 2502.33 (42.2mm) with 2500B movement, serviced last year by Archer Watches :thumbsup:

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. fskywalker Jan 6, 2015

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    Absolutely beautiful watch, love the contrast of the dial (supposed to be silver, more whiter in reality) and blue hands and markers. I would opt for the 39mm size (2503.33) just as the one shown by Fusion, guess this has to go in my watch to get list as the ultimate dress watch! Wonder how hard would it be to source an used one?
     
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  8. Fusion Jan 6, 2015

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    They don't come up for sale on their own accord very often. I posted a WTB on omega forums and watchuseek and was contacted within the week by a guy on WUS. I paid 2,350 but I feel prices may be rising, my buddy sold his for over 3,000 in worse condition than mine although he did have box and papers. It's an awesome watch. Just put mine on leather to distinguish it from my sub.

    Having a hard time uploading image but look at my post history if you want to see
     
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  9. fskywalker Jan 6, 2015

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    Thanks! Will have to sell a watch first, but definitely the grail dress watch!
     
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  10. fskywalker Mar 11, 2015

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    Finally was able to locate one; mine came with leather bracelet and deployment (Reference 2803.33.37) and it's really a beauty!

    IMG_0594.JPG.jpeg
     
    Edited Apr 8, 2015
    Tet, GregH, mjomega and 2 others like this.
  11. trama Mar 12, 2015

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    10/10 for sure :thumbsup:
     
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  12. ctpete Mar 13, 2015

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    The white dial with blue hands is stunning!
     
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  13. fskywalker May 9, 2015

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    I recently sold my 2803 (think had 2500B) to fund the purchase of something else, but shortly afterwards began to look for another one. Was lucky enough to find a NOS 2503.33.00 (2500C movement, which think was the last movement iteration as they were discontinued before the 2500D movement came out) and am very happy to be back on the Grail AT watch owners club!!
    Below a few pictures on steel and on my newest Omega chocolate brown leather . Since its 20mm lug size like my other Omegas can change look with the few other leather band / deployment combos already have:

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    Edited May 9, 2015
    watch3s, GregH, watchme and 1 other person like this.
  14. italy1861 May 12, 2015

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    Wonderful watch.. The blue on white works so well. One of my favorites! You sure it wasn't offered in 2500D? The original poster stated it was? Regardless, defiantly a must have.
     
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  15. threeputtbogey May 12, 2015

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    Great review!
     
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  16. fskywalker May 12, 2015

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    I understand the AT 2503.33 was produced with 2500 movement B and C and discontinued before 2500D was launched. SN on 2500D started on 8525XXXX and havent seen one with such high SN anywhere (mine is 8465XXXX). Another way to tell is the shape of the numbers in the date wheel as 2500D are different from 2500A, B and C
     
    Edited May 12, 2015
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  17. rwilner May 12, 2015

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    Love the blue on white. I have a much more economical blue on white, a ball 60 seconds II.
     
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  18. tsbphd Jul 11, 2015

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    This is a great watch and wonderful review. The hands and markers appear to be a metallic blue and make the watch stand out all the more. Someday, I may add one myself, although it might be quite difficult to find by then.
     
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  19. hung Nov 27, 2015

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    Hi there, I'm new to the forum and are looking for this model with the rose gold markers and hands in 39mm. Does omega make these in the 2500c movement. Is the 2500c has any problems with being stopped working as the 2500a?
    Is £1800 for this watch a reasonable price with boxes and papers? It's a 2008 model.
    When has omega stopped making these models? Please help.
     
  20. fskywalker Nov 27, 2015

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    Hi, I think the gold marker version also comes up to the 2500c iteration. I don't think there were major issues with 2500c, but Al Archer here in the forum may expand on the improvements from 2500c to 2500d