Omega Stories: The >15,000 Gauss Bumble-Bee Aqua Terra Anti-Magnetic, A Blueprint For The Future

This watch always stands out to me because it’s the first Omega I ever tried on. Back in 2016 I was at the King of Prussia mall for something else and wandered past the Omega boutique. Of course I had to check out the watches and they were eager to get me trying some on. I still like the yellow highlights and think it’s one of the cooler Aqua Terras.

Still have the obligatory wrist shot.

I found it really interesting to discover these have seemingly either come back into production, or Omega have found additional stock as you can once again buy this model directly from Omega via the official website.



Can't remember a long discontinued model reappearing like this several years later before. Maybe they felt there is still room for this more unusual model.

Have to confess a small part of me was happy they'd been discontinued making them a kinda niche model.

Great article, Ash! I didn’t know these existed and they are quite attractive with a distinctive history. Seems there is only one on eBay at the moment. At 41.5mm, I wonder if it wears true to size or if it wears a bit smaller like the 42mm Speedmaster (with a dial of 40mm).

Wearing mine today, it's a fantastic watch IMO and still my favourite Aqua Terra.

If you measure the diameter including the bezel but not the crown guard section, then its 40mm. I would say it wears perfect.

According to C24, there’s a decent amount of BNIB for sale but on leather strap with deployant in Japan. Could be worthwhile if you really want one and spend the $3600 to get and then the additional $800 for bracelet.

Thanks for this article but there are a couple of issues. There is a typo when discussing the black and yellow hand’s colour scheme being reused on the Spuer Racing. It is referred to as black and white rather than black and yellow. Second, the Bumblebee is not based on the third generation Aqua Terra. That watch was introduced in 2017 and has a symmetrical case, Omega’ press releases in 2017 confirm that the (then) new Master Chronometer Aqua Terra is the third generation. The Bumblebee is based on the second generation Aqua Terra from 2011, but without a date window surround and using a bracelet with polished centre links to set it apart from the other models in the range. Once it had served its purpose and the Cal.8500G (for “Gauss”) “Master Co-axial” movement was introduced in 2014 Omega carried the same design cues across the rest of the range removing date window surrounds and polished centre links on all Aqua Terra watches regardless of whether they had the anti-magnetic “Master Co-axial” movement. Only the time and date Aqua Terra watches used the anti-magnetic movement, the Day-date, Annual Calendar and chronograph GMT versions did not get a “Master Co-axial” movement.

I am afraid you are incorrect about the generations of Aqua Terra watches. From Watches By SJX.com from 2017:

“Unveiled in 2002 as Omega‘s more leisurely sports watch, as opposed to the thoroughly athletic Seamaster Professional, the Seamaster Aqua Terra is now in its third generation – with the flagship being the weighty and pricey Worldtimer in platinum.

Despite being older the Aqua Terra has gotten better, with tighter lines, sharper detailing a the latest generation Master Chronometer movement.”

Also, from perpetualpassion.com:

“the Aqua Terra now in its third generation (2002-2008-2017)”

Omega also used the same SKU codes for the watches with Master Co-axial movements as they did for the Annual Calendar, GMT, Chronograph GMT and Day-date and the previous three hand models without the Master Co-axial movements. Again indicating the watch is the same generation.

Clearly the Master Chronometer 2017 version is the third generation. Also the Annual Calendar was introduced before the Bumblebee in 2012 so was extant before the Bumblebee. The Day-Date and Chronograph GMT were introduced in 2014 after the Bumblebee so were not released before or at the same time as the Bumblebee. There have only been three generations of the Aqua Terra so far. The Bumblebee is part of the second generation. The tweaks you associate with an erroneous “third” iteration were simply tweaks of the second generation. Rather akin to various De Ville Prestige updates that were not regarded as a new generation of the watch until the latest METAS certified versions.

The range/family/generation of an Omega watch is shown in the SKU, in all the cases you have quoted the first three digits are “231”, this shows the generation of the watch. The next two digits are the bracelet/strap combination, the next two are the diameter of the watch, the fourth set of numbers are the function of the watch, chronograph, chronometer, annual calendar etc, the next two numbers are the dial colour or dial material of the watch and the final three numbers are the iteration of the watch, it might be the first blue dial or the second blue dial and so on.

Therefore all watches with the “231” digits belong to the same generation. When Omega change a generation they change the first three digits. So the latest Aqua Terra blue dial SKU is: 220.10.41.21.03.004, meaning it is the fourth blue dial watch in its range.

The Planet Ocean changed from an SKU starting with 232 to one starting with 215 when the METAS version was released.

Perhaps I should have been clear about the SKU, all watches with the same first three digits are the same generation. You are incorrect in your analysis, the evidence is against you.

I think you misunderstood him on this point. He's pointing out a typo in your article, you refer to the black and yellow hand as black and white:



I won't get involved in the which generation is the Gauss debate cause I can't be bothered looking into it, but I will point out that the model number isn't a SKU, it's a PIC. And it doesn't denote generation, it denotes collection, i.e. 231 = an Aqua Terra. Both of these facts are available on Omega's website.

You are incorrect about the generations of Aqua Terra watches. There have only been three since 2002 when the range was introduced. I am not arguing with you, I am pointing out an error in your research and in the article. As stated in the Omega press releases in 2017 the METAS symmetrical case version still on sale is the third generation of the watch. This has been noted on numerous websites. Some quotes:

“The teak deck motif has been used for the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection since 2008 (the Aqua Terra collection was introduced in 2002). In 2008, Omega started to use their in-house caliber 8500 movement for these watches until 2017, when Omega updated the entire collection with new dials and new movements (caliber 8800 and 8900).”


Fratellowatches 4 Mar 20.

“Brief History of the Aqua Terra

Officially known as the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M and introduced in 2002, the Aqua Terra has quickly become a popular everyday luxury watch owing to its modern classic design. Although it is part of the Omega Seamaster collection and boasts a water-resistance rating of 150 meters, the Aqua Terra is not a diving watch but a contemporary daily driver that can go pretty much everywhere.

There have been three main generations of the Aqua Terra model since its inception less than two decades ago, with the newest one debuting in 2017. As is customary with Omega, the collection is expansive both in terms of sizes and materials, as well as functions and complications. Furthermore, as with most Omega watch models, there are men’s and ladies’ Aqua Terra watches. Although some versions, such as the Aqua Terra Chronograph, are no longer produced by Omega, they are readily available in the secondary market.

Historical Milestones of the Omega Aqua Terra Collection

• 2002 – Omega introduces the Aqua Terra with Caliber 2500
• 2008 – New Aqua Terra generation with Caliber 8500
• 2009 – Aqua Terra Chronograph and Aqua Terra GMT
• 2010 – Aqua Terra Annual Calendar
• 2011 – Aqua Terra Golf
• 2012 – Aqua Terra GMT; Midsize Aqua Terra appears in James Bond movie “Skyfall”
• 2013 – Aqua Terra Day-Date and Aqua Terra > 15,000 Gauss
• 2015 – Limited Edition Aqua Terra > 15,007 Gauss “SPECTRE”; Omega introduces new Master Chronometer Certification; Aqua Terra Master Co-Axial appears in James Bond movie “SPECTRE”
• 2017 – Newest Aqua Terra generation with redesigned cases and new movements; Limited Edition Aqua Terra GMT WorldTimer in platinum
• Regular release Aqua Terra GMT WorldTimer; Aqua Terra “Ultra Light”

Evolution of Omega Aqua Terra References

The First Aqua Terra Series: 2002 – 2008

When the Aqua Terra was first released, it was equipped with Omega’s first Co-Axial movement – the Omega Cal. 2500, which was developed in the 1990s. Based on an ETA movement, the Cal. 2500 was accurate and thin, allowing the first models of the Omega Aqua Terra to measure just 11mm thick. There were also a few quartz Aqua Terra watches available in the collection.

The modern feel of this watch was accompanied by contemporary aesthetics, like a smooth polished bezel and an uncluttered dial that includes tapered hour markers and a date window at three o’clock.

The first generation of the Omega Aqua Terra was available in a choice of stainless steel or 18k yellow gold, along with the following three sizes:

– 42.2mm (2502.XX)

– 39.2mm (2503.XX)

– 36.2mm (2504.XX)

The Second Aqua Terra Series: 2008 – 2017

In 2008, Omega introduced a redesigned Aqua Terra with modified sizes, a redesigned dial, and a new movement. Inside we saw the Aqua Terra upgrade to the COSC-certified Cal. 8500 movement, which was designed in-house and featured twin mainspring barrels, a 60-hour power reserve, and a quick-adjust (jumping) hour hand. However, it also increased the overall size of the watch to 12.85mm thick, giving it a more sturdy and present feel on the wrist.

Along with an increase in thickness, we also saw major upgrades to the aesthetics of the watch, like vertical stripes (aka teak pattern) on the dial, as well as a 60-minute scale on the outside of the hour markers, which had been upgraded, too – given a more bold appearance and filled with easy-to-read lume. Additionally, there was a frame added to the date window and the hands were slightly reshaped to increase the sportiness of the watch. Lastly, the new Aqua Terra was paired with a redesigned, three-link stainless steel bracelet with a butterfly clasp for a more refined feel.

The time and date Aqua Terra watches were fashioned mostly in stainless steel and two-tone steel and red gold. Sizes included:

• 38.5mm (ref 231.xx.39.21.XX.XXX)
• 41.5mm (ref 231.xx.42.21.XX.XXX)

Following the base Aqua Terra Chronometer model, Omega expanded the collection with additional options with various features and complications:

• 2009 – Aqua Terra Chronograph; Aqua Terra Chronograph GMT
• 2010 – Aqua Terra Annual Calendar
• 2011 – Aqua Terra Golf
• 2012 – Aqua Terra GMT
• 2013 – Aqua Terra Day-Date; Aqua Terra > 15,000 Gauss

James Bond Wore in 2015’s Spectre

In true Omega form, several special-edition Aqua Terra models joined the collection including the James Bond “Spectre” in 2015, the “Good Planet” in 2016, and the “Pyeongchang 2018” for the South Korean Winter Olympics.

It’s important to note that in 2015, Omega introduced a new Master Chronometer Certification, which boasts two certifications – one from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) and one from the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). In addition to being certified as a chronometer by COSC, Omega Master Chronometer watches also undergo eight METAS tests to guarantee, among other things, magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss.

As a result, from 2016 onwards, Omega revamped the Caliber 8500-powered Aqua Terra watches as Master Co-Axial Chronometer versions, complete with the designation on the dial.

The Third Aqua Terra Series: 2017 – Present

Current models of the Aqua Terra Chronometer models can actually be pretty easily defined due to their stark aesthetic upgrades. While Omega kept the teak-patterned dial, it turned it horizontally. Omega also moved the date window down to six o’clock, which is actually how the very first date-displaying Omega watches were styled. The move is a nice nod to the past while keeping the dial uncluttered and symmetrical. Moreover, there are no crown guards and the winding crown is now conical. Also new to the collection is the choice of rubber straps and the metal bracelets have also been redesigned to be more integrated with the case.

Omega tweaked the case sizes yet again and the current Aqua Terra Chronometer watches are available in two sizes:

• 38mm (220.xx.38.20.xx.xxx)
• 41mm (220.xx.41.21.xx.xxx)

Additionally, there are ample mechanical upgrades. Inside the modern Omega Aqua Terra models, you’ll find three different kinds of Master Chronometer Co-Axial movements. There’s the Caliber 8900 (or the luxury-finished Caliber 8901 for precious metal options) that you’ll find in the 41mm models. Alternatively, there’s the slightly smaller Caliber 8800 that powers the 38mm versions. The 8900 and 8901 boast 60-hour power reserves, while the 8800 has a slightly shorter reserve at 55 hours. The 8900 and 8901 also feature a jumping hour hand, which allows frequent travelers to quickly adjust the hour without changing the minute or seconds hands. As METAS-certified calibers, all new movements also feature the latest antimagnetic technology (up to 15,000 gauss), once again making the Omega Aqua Terra amongst the best antimagnetic watches in the industry.”

Bob’s Watches
4 Mar 20.

It is not just me saying that there have only been three generations of the Aqua Terra, but lots of watch websites and Omega themselves. You can try to stand by your error but it is still an error. It is also not a new piece of news or research, as the articles from Fratellowatches, Watches by SJX, Bob’s Watches and the press release date from 2017 to 2020. Your point about the SKU is well made, it is a PIC number rather than an SKU but the rationale for the PIC number according to the Omega Universite Training Book is to identify watch ranges/families and is changed when a new watch is introduced. This is picked up on by Bob’s Watches. Ultimately I can present the evidence to you. It is a matter for you whether you ignore it.

You state in your review that the Bumblebee is based on the third generation Aqua Terra. It is not. The third generation Aqua Terra was introduced in 2017. The generations of Aqua Terra watches are first generation - 2002 to 2008, second generation - 2008 to 2017, third generation - 2017 to date. This is clearly demonstrated in numerous articles quoted in my replies, in the use of PIC numbers and stated in press releases by the manufacturer themselves. There were tweaks to the second generation watches with polished centre links in the same bracelet that had previously been fully brushed. Date window surrounds were removed. That is not the introduction of a new generation of the watch, it is akin to a facelift. Omega used to do it all the time with the De Ville and Constellation ranges as well. I am pointing out your error. I have clearly “disputed” the so-called “fact”. You simply refuse to acknowledge your mistake.