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Aqua Terra vs speed master racing - help me decide

Annapolis
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That speedy looks perfectly suited to your wrist.

This is a well worn topic but I’ll add another layer of patina to it: it doesn’t make any sense, when trying to sort whether a watch will fit a wrist, to speak of dial diameter and wrist circumference. Neither are relevant.

It’d be like trying to gauge whether a new front door will fit by measuring the width of the doorknob and then walking the perimeter of your house.

What matters (way more) is the lug-to-lug distance and the span of your wrist across the top. As long as the former isn’t more than the latter, you should be good to go. In terms of actual footprint—not saying anything about any other aspect of fit, such as thickness or general look, etc.

I’ve had watches with the same dial diameter that fit very differently, some in an ideal way, some not at all.
 
sathomasga
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C ceriano
Aqua Terra has always been a favorite of mine.

Seems like the real question asked and answered. It's definitely a fine watch.

C ceriano
If you had the choice which one would you pick?

As for the literal question, I'd choose neither. My bias is strongly vintage so personal preference plays a role, but my 6-inch wrists can't even pull off a BB58. (And, oh how I'd love to be able to wear that watch.) So both of those choices would be unsuitable.
 
C
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Nobel Prize Nobel Prize
There is a 39 mm explorer. I have one. Great watch. 39 mm without a divers bezel wears beautifully.
Yes I should’ve bought one when it was in production. Really not looking to pay grey market prices for Rolex.
 
C
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Annapolis Annapolis
That speedy looks perfectly suited to your wrist.

This is a well worn topic but I’ll add another layer of patina to it: it doesn’t make any sense, when trying to sort whether a watch will fit a wrist, to speak of dial diameter and wrist circumference. Neither are relevant.

It’d be like trying to gauge whether a new front door will fit by measuring the width of the doorknob and then walking the perimeter of your house.

What matters (way more) is the lug-to-lug distance and the span of your wrist across the top. As long as the former isn’t more than the latter, you should be good to go. In terms of actual footprint—not saying anything about any other aspect of fit, such as thickness or general look, etc.

I’ve had watches with the same dial diameter that fit very differently, some in an ideal way, some not at all.
I got a chance to try a few omega and Rolex watches today. I liked both AT and seamaster but I probably go with the AT is blue or black.
Navitimer, AT or seamaster and either a BLNR or BLRO would be a dream collection. I have been on the waistline for some time, who knows I may get a call one day.
 
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7enderbender
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You probably don’t want my advice since my preferences appear to be quite different. I don’t like Navitimers or anything Breitling so I would’ve landed on a Speedy Pro. Yes, of course hesalite and of course hand-wound. Wouldn’t have it any other way. The old Speedy racing watches were kind of nice as derivatives of the Speedy reduced (great watch also). More something for people who already have a bunch of watches in my opinion. The new 44mm Speedmasters I don’t get. The proportions are off, not interested in those new movements (don’t even put a display case on those as they are just ugly). And they are simply too big for anyone. Certainly with a 6” wrist. Mine is 7.25” on a warm day and my Speedmaster pro is the max size. I’m considering a IWC BP43 for my next watch but frankly, it’s probably just a bit too big still.
AT: yea. Great selection there and I would find one in a heartbeat. Blue or green. The AT Worldtimer was another consideration. Beautiful but also too big.
Explorer 1 is my more likely next purchase, and yes that one has to be 36mm. Big watches were a fad and it seems are on the way out. Not that fashion should play a role really. But I find most watches too big these days. Would not buy a current Rolex aside from the Explorer 1. Peak performance for Rolex in my view were the 5 digit models (waiting for my 16600 Sea Dweller to be back from service next week).

so long story short: my vote goes for the AT (38mm) in your case.
Edited:
 
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7enderbender 7enderbender
You probably don’t want my advice since my preferences appear to be quite different. I don’t like Navitimers or anything Breitling so I would’ve landed on a Speedy Pro. Yes, of course hesalite and of course hand-wound. Wouldn’t have it any other way. The old Speedy racing watches were kind of nice as derivatives of the Speedy reduced (great watch also). More something for people who already have a bunch of watches in my opinion. The new 44mm Speedmasters I don’t get. The proportions are off, not interested in those new movements (don’t even put a display case on those as they are just ugly). And they are simply too big for anyone. Certainly with a 6” wrist. Mine is 7.25” on a warm day and my Speedmaster pro is the max size. I’m considering a IWC BP43 for my next watch but frankly, it’s probably just a bit too big still.
AT: yea. Great selection there and I would find one in a heartbeat. Blue or green. The AT Worldtimer was another consideration. Beautiful but also too big.
Explorer 1 is my more likely next purchase, and yes that one has to be 36mm. Big watches were a fad and it seems are on the way out. Not that fashion should play a role really. But I find most watches too big these days. Would not buy a current Rolex aside from the Explorer 1. Peak performance for Rolex in my view were the 5 digit models (waiting for my 16600 Sea Dweller to be back from service next week).

so long story short: my vote goes for the AT (38mm) in your case.

the IWC BP43 wears very large, it’s also quite thick and heavy. I love mine but I don’t enjoy it as much anymore. Maybe the love will come back or maybe it will pass.
 
C
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Watch my Whisky Watch my Whisky
Neither. Just skip to the Sub.
I like the jubilee on the GMT. I’ve been on the waitlist for quite some time, who knows I may get a call one day.
 
ErichPryde
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I preferred the 39mm. The 36mm wears too small.


Kind of off topic here but have you considered the Seamaster 57 trilogy? I feel pretty strongly that the Seamaster Heritage line manages to look both sporty and dressy, whereas there is a clear dichotomy between sporty or dressy we're debating here AT vs SMP.

Although I prefer a slightly larger watch for my wrist if you are looking for a 39 mm watch the 57 Trilogy fits the bill perfectly...
Edited:
 
C
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
Kind of off topic here but have you considered the Seamaster 57 trilogy? I feel pretty strongly that the Seamaster Heritage line manages to look both sporty and dressy, whereas there is a clear dichotomy between sporty or dressy we're debating here AT vs SMP.

Although I prefer a slightly larger watch for my wrist if you are looking for a 39 mm watch the 57 Trilogy fits the bill perfectly...
I have and really liked them. If I don’t get sub seamaster hermitage will be the alternative. The last time I visited my AD he sounded more optimistic. They haven’t been getting inquiries recently.
 
DougPhx
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C ceriano
This will be my first and hopefully last omega. The only decent watch I currently have is the navitimer b1 and I’m hoping to get a submariner at some point. 3 piece collection should cover all the bases for me.
I picked the navitimer over moonwatch since I couldn’t get my head around manual wind watch. I wasn’t crazy about the hesalite either.
I really like the look of the new 44mm speedy racing but they may be a tad too larger for my 6” wrist.
The 40mm racing models are almost half the price but haven’t seen one up close.
Aqua Terra has always been a favorite of mine. They can be dressed up or down.
If you had the choice which one would you pick?
Have you considered the 2022 57 speedmaster? 40.5 case, 12.99 height. Lug to lug is slightly under 50, 49.6 if I remember right. Straight lugs though so that will make it tend to wear larger on a smaller wrist so try it on first. I have one on order, can’t wait to get it on my wrist!


View attachment 1577599
 
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lucian23
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+1 Speedmaster. No particular reason just that i like the speedmaster line more.
 
C
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DougPhx DougPhx
View attachment 1577599
Have you considered the 2022 57 speedmaster? 40.5 case, 12.99 height. Lug to lug is slightly under 50, 49.6 if I remember right. Straight lugs though so that will make it tend to wear larger on a smaller wrist so try it on first. I have one on order, can’t wait to get it on my wrist!


View attachment 1577599
No I have not seen that model. That’s a good looking watch.
I stopped by another AD the other, they didn’t have any of the new speedmasters. I tried the Tudor gmt and black bay those are decent looking watches for the price too but I’m leaning towards omega.
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cloud79
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My vote goes to the Speedmaster, it looks way more elegant than AT!
 
Nobel Prize
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Looks like Rolex listened to me and released the 40mm Explorer!
What are the chances!! That's really surprising to me.
 
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