I got invited to the Basel Release party at the Omega Boutique in Denver tonight. They brought in a lot of corporate staff and all the Basel releases with working movements but marked "Not For Sale" on the lugs where the serial number goes.

I was most surprised by the Aqua Terras. They are available in both 37mm and 41mm and priced at $5400 on rubber or leather or $5500 on a SS bracelet. The have the 8900 movements and sapphire casebacks. The 41mm is 13.2mm thick and worn really well on my wrist.




They have several other dial options as well as a black dial with Sedona gold bezel and crown -$8000 thought.

These SS models are great values and even better with a discount from a friendly AD.

I also tried on the Railmaster. The strap was really nice but not sure about the SS inserts in the tang buckle holes.



This one is 40mm, so just 1mm smaller than the AT, but felt small.

All of these have a conical crown that's wider on the outside to make it easier to grip - subtle change but really nice.

 

That second AT color combo is awesome!!! Not feeling the (faux?) endpiece for the strap, though. But to not go for the SS bracelet at only a $100 premium would be crazy anyway.

 

Yeah, the grey teak dial with blue accents was my favorite too. If I go this route, I'd buy the bracelet and rubber for options.

 

That second AT is sharp. On a stainless bracelet would be even nicer.

 

The AT looks nice with the pop of orange but not feeling that rail master.
No 60th anniversary LE models?

 

They had them but there were long waits and none of them sung to me enough too wait.

 

I really like the new AT design as well -- I am partial to the first photo with the orange accents.

 

@RRMagyar - I'm torn. If I didn't already have the polar Explorer II with the orange accents, that'd be the one I'd go for too. It was the first one that caught my eye in the case. I was wearing the polar at the event and realized that they are very similar in color palet, almost identical really. As I looked at the others, the grey teak dial drew me in since 1) I don't own any grey dials and 2) the iridescent blue is mesmerizing.

 

I think this is sound reasoning. Having both the Exp and AT white dials would provide visual redundancy in my opinion. Meanwhile, the grey dial with blue accents looks damn sharp and offers an appealing uniqueness.

 

The new AT models are cool, but what's the deal with that piece of metal they stuck on the rubber strap? I'd have to skip the rubber and go with the bracelet.

That new Railmaster is really cool looking. I may have to try one on when I get the chance.

Thanks for the pics!

 

The white dialled AT is a killer!

 

I only noticed the metal insert for a few minutes IRL then it just became "normal" if that makes sense.

 

I was there as well. Disappointed they didn't have any 57's. Nice evening though.

 

I'm having the strangest reaction to the non-LE Railmaster. I'll look at it one time and love it and then come back five minutes later and convince myself it's not for me...

Is it an all-brushed case? I think the lack of any polished surfaces is what turns me off.

Regardless, I'm pretty sure this is one I'm going to have to see in the metal before I make a final judgement. The dial options are both great and that fabric strap I haven't seen before - love it!

I've been contemplating the discontinued 39mm Railmaster as a cheaper temporary fix to my Explorer obsession. Hard to find one in good condition, though.

 

@R3D9 - yes, all brushed. I looked at the grey dial version as well, but it didn't have enough contrast for me - too monotone.