Stylish Seafaring
It’s 15 years since Omega introduced the Aqua Terra collection, and it remains one of the most chic and reliable nautical lines today, writes Melissa Twigg
There’s something noticeably classy about Eddie Redmayne. Whether it’s the razor-sharp cheekbones, the cut-glass Etonian accent or the dapper suits, the English actor somehow imbues every room he is in—or boat he is on—with an air of sophistication.
So it’s no surprise that Omega has chosen the Oscarnominee to be the face, and wrist, of its new campaign for the Aqua Terra collection. Introduced in 2002, the watches of the Aqua Terra range are highly prized in the yachting community for their sophisticated design and renowned reliability in both water (aqua) and on land (terra).
The most recent version of the Omega Aqua Terra stays close to its roots by continuing to find inspiration in the world of seafaring, introducing some of the industry’s best antishock technology and water resistance of 150 metres, ensuring the timepiece will function throughout any journey on the high seas.
The design, meanwhile, will stand out at lavish city parties and on yachting holidays alike, thanks to the unusual teak pattern dial. This high-luxe element is modelled on the glossy sheen of the wooden decks of luxury sailboats—like the bow on which Redmayne himself stands in the evocative publicity shot for the brand. Another design innovation is the new conical crown, which is inspired by the undulating movement of waves.
Another change from the original Aqua Terra design is the position of the date window, which has been moved to the bottom of the watch face. This was done to add symmetry to the timepiece and in tribute to the design of the Automatic Seamaster Calendar from 1952— the first Omega watch to have a date window.
Due to its extraordinarily complex design features, and its world-class ability to tell the time in even the harshest of environments, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer has the prestigious distinction of being a Master Chronometer. This means that the watch and its calibre 8939 have reached the industry’s highest standard of precision, performance and magnetic resistance, as determined by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. Only a limited number of the new Aqua Terra are on offer. Their lucky owners will possess a timepiece certain to offer years of pleasure— for city slickers and yacht masters alike. Just ask Eddie Redmayne.