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SOG53
·My birthday in 2013 was one of the big ones (60), and my wife surprised me with a new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra “Golf Edition”, reference 231.10.42.21.01.001. . With the cal 8500, co-axial escapement. It has been my daily wearer now for 12 years. It was larger than my other watches then at 41.5 mm diameter, with the oyster type bracelet with the double lock clasp. The case is the classic Omega lyre lug shape seen on original Seamaster 300 and Speedmaster watches. The watch feels smooth and elegant despite its size, both the the case and bracelet have smooth edges with no scratching or hair pulling. The display sapphire caseback allow a good look into the movement which is quite decorated, enjoyable to see in operation.
I liked the grey vertical teak deck dial, with 3:00 date cutout, dagger shaped lumed indices, and the handset with dagger shaped hour hand and arrow tipped minute hand. Sometimes the hands are harder to see depending on light, but not often. The lume is visible but not strong. The text is interesting with Seamaster script and chapter ring with minute number markers in green, and careful inspection showing green at tip of sweep. You only notice the green at certain angles of sunlight. This was the nod to Golf, and is quite subtle, which I appreciate. I think this watch was marketed with Sergio Garcia as an ambassador.
The movement was marketed as higher end timekeeping with the dual escapement etc, however these are details well beyond my understanding and I have found are subject to discussion. I must say the timekeeping accuracy of this watch over 12 years has been very impressive, often within seconds over a day on my occasional testing. The power reserve is reported to be 60 hours, in fact I have seen it go for longer although it is seldom off my wrist.
I had it serviced about 7 years ago after I played golf for the first time wearing it, which resulted in shearing off the dial feet with the dial actually rotating with the 12 marker ending up at the 2 position. When I woke up and saw that, I thought I might by having a stroke, but when I realized it was the watch I sent it for service and it had a nice trip to Bienne where all was fixed and fully serviced. It has been running perfectly since then.
I really wanted the new Speedmaster 3861 and almost bought it several times, but I realized that I would then need to make a daily choice and didn’t really want to stop wearing the AT. So I haven’t bought another modern Omega, although vintage watches have found their way in.
When comparing with the newer AT models, I much prefer the vertical teak dial rather than the horizontal dials currently on offer. I also prefer the date window at 3:00 while the newer location is at 6:00. I also like the look of the “Bumble bee” highly antimagnetic AT, and also the newer gloss black dial at 38 mm. But at least for now I’m staying with “Old Betsy” as us older folk may say, which seems to please my wife and daughter who carefully researched and chose it for me.
And now for photos. The Golf watch has travelled well and on many dog walks. I’ve enjoyed looking through the photos to select for this thread. Thanks for reading and looking!
I liked the grey vertical teak deck dial, with 3:00 date cutout, dagger shaped lumed indices, and the handset with dagger shaped hour hand and arrow tipped minute hand. Sometimes the hands are harder to see depending on light, but not often. The lume is visible but not strong. The text is interesting with Seamaster script and chapter ring with minute number markers in green, and careful inspection showing green at tip of sweep. You only notice the green at certain angles of sunlight. This was the nod to Golf, and is quite subtle, which I appreciate. I think this watch was marketed with Sergio Garcia as an ambassador.
The movement was marketed as higher end timekeeping with the dual escapement etc, however these are details well beyond my understanding and I have found are subject to discussion. I must say the timekeeping accuracy of this watch over 12 years has been very impressive, often within seconds over a day on my occasional testing. The power reserve is reported to be 60 hours, in fact I have seen it go for longer although it is seldom off my wrist.
I had it serviced about 7 years ago after I played golf for the first time wearing it, which resulted in shearing off the dial feet with the dial actually rotating with the 12 marker ending up at the 2 position. When I woke up and saw that, I thought I might by having a stroke, but when I realized it was the watch I sent it for service and it had a nice trip to Bienne where all was fixed and fully serviced. It has been running perfectly since then.
I really wanted the new Speedmaster 3861 and almost bought it several times, but I realized that I would then need to make a daily choice and didn’t really want to stop wearing the AT. So I haven’t bought another modern Omega, although vintage watches have found their way in.
When comparing with the newer AT models, I much prefer the vertical teak dial rather than the horizontal dials currently on offer. I also prefer the date window at 3:00 while the newer location is at 6:00. I also like the look of the “Bumble bee” highly antimagnetic AT, and also the newer gloss black dial at 38 mm. But at least for now I’m staying with “Old Betsy” as us older folk may say, which seems to please my wife and daughter who carefully researched and chose it for me.
And now for photos. The Golf watch has travelled well and on many dog walks. I’ve enjoyed looking through the photos to select for this thread. Thanks for reading and looking!
