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Aqua Terra - framed date window harder to read?

  1. rgito Jun 28, 2018

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    All,

    I am looking for my first "nice" men's sport automatic, and have fallen in love with the blue dialed 38.5 "skyfall" AT. I have learned that there are two versions > one with the framed date window and one without. I know there are other differences between these models (cal 8500 vs 8800 I think), but the date frame question is the one I am asking here.

    So far I have been unable to find versions of either in my local area to try on. I have reviewed hundreds of pics off the web, however, which leads me to a question....

    When observing photos of the watches that show the dial at an angle, it seems like the large date frame blocks part of the date numerals, causing them to be more difficult to read. The non date frame display, of course, does not have this problem.

    Question: For anyone who has seen both of these in the flesh...did you notice any difficulty reading the date when the dial is viewed at an angle?

    With my eyes not as youthful as they once were, dial legibility is a key consideration. Thanks for the advice.
     
  2. nurseford25 Jun 28, 2018

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    No difference to me. I owned both versions.
    5DF87477-E30F-46E0-9752-DB117E75DBCE.jpeg
     
  3. tikkathree Jun 28, 2018

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    64 year old eyes manage well enough. Actually if you can persuade yourself that the non-framed version is preferable you're going to find shopping easier than if you set your heart on the frame..... tmp-cam-293304910.jpg
     
  4. rgito Jun 28, 2018

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    Thanks for the replies.

    Yes looking straight on (90 degrees) to the dial face, in good lighting, the date is clear. But if looking at the dial at an angle, I am wondering if the date frame then obscures or shadows the date, making it harder to read. That type of thing is happening (shadowing) in tik's picture...and this example has very little angle.

    If I could find examples of each in my area to try on, I could answer my own question. Until I can I appreciate the good graces of those providing some guidance.
     
    tikkathree and Foo2rama like this.
  5. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Jun 28, 2018

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    On the wrist it’s about the same legibility.

    I prefer the frame as it’s looks more finished.
     
  6. rgito Jun 28, 2018

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    I am preferring the framed date more and more as it nicely balances out the dial. The non-frame date is much easier to notice (at least for me). I hate to say it, but this version looks like Omega forgot something and the dial is out of balance.

    It may come down to deciding upon:
    1) no frame and the eye is drawn to the 'hole' at 3 o'clock (but the date is easy to read), or
    2) a pleasing symmetry of the dial with the frame...but shadowing/angle will cause the date to be less easy to read.

    I am probably over-thinking this....
     
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  7. Bernardino Jun 29, 2018

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    Yes the date can be difficult to read at certain angles but luckily I moved my wrist this morning and I don’t think the date has changed since!!

    Seriously though, I’ve never had a problem with reading the date and as others have said, I think it finishes the watch nicely
     
    BD0C55F3-90E0-45F6-83E8-1380EA804226.jpeg
  8. pedro.martinez Jun 29, 2018

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    I think you are overthinking this.
    Framed version is the way to go, but my comment is biased of course.

    Here you have two shots of my 38.5 AT Skyfall version, indoors and outdoors at a normal check hour angle.

    AT 5.jpg AT 6.jpg
     
    Edited Jun 29, 2018
    tikkathree likes this.
  9. time flies Jun 29, 2018

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    I
    +1...here's my 41.5 AT 20180114_140359.jpg 20180114_140210.jpg 20180105_165321.jpg 20180105_164644.jpg
    Just do it

    have fun
    kfw
     
    tikkathree likes this.