Timed for strong magnetic resistance
Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra collection returns with a fresh new look and a higher standard of performance and precision, writes Aznim Ruhana Md Yusup
The women’s Aqua Terra watch with a shimmery dial and diamond indexes.
The problem can be fixed at watch service centres, but I can only assume that Omega would rather save its customers the trouble. There are those who say that resistance of up 15,000 gauss is excessive, but then again, the luxury watch market is nothing if not a race of excessiveness.
LANGKAWI GEMS
This year, Omega launched the third generation Seamaster Aqua Terra collection with a wide selection of models. Sizes for the men’s collection are 41mm and 38mm, while women’s watches come in 38mm and 34mm.
Changes include a horizontal “teak” pattern dial instead of vertical. The date window has been moved to the 6 o’clock position (instead of 3) and the wording “water-resistance” is no longer on the dial (it’s been moved to the caseback) to make for a cleaner appearance.
The models are cased in stainless steel, 18K Sedna gold or a mixture of both. The dials come in black, brown, blue, grey or silver, as well as a glossy mother-of-pearl dial with diamond indexes for the women’s model.
There’s also a diverse selection of bracelets and straps, in materials such as steel, leather or structured rubber. One strap has a pattern similar to sailing ropes, indicating the collection’s nautical influence.
It was launched in Malaysia at the luxurious St Regis resort on the island of Langkawi.The location was picked to highlight the brand’s maritime heritage, and guests included actors Siti Saleha, Sharifah Sakinah, Bella Dally and husband Nazim Othman. Social media influencers such as Juwei Teoh, Andre Amir and Brian See were also in attendance.
MASTER CHRONOMETER Omega’s head of product management Gregory Kissling was on hand in Langkawi to explain the Aqua Terra’s anti-magnetic properties.
“Instead of protecting the movement with a soft iron case that provides resistance of up to 1,000 gauss, the Aqua Terra uses non-ferrous materials in the movements itself, to achieve resistance of 15,000 gauss. We started by replacing the material of the balance spring or the spiral to silicon. Then other parts were replaced with suitable non-ferrous components.
“We then tested the watches using a big Kissling (left) explaining the workings of the Aqua Terra to Andre
Amir(centre) and Ryzal Jaafar.
magnet that generates a field of 15,000 gauss.” He adds that a large majority Aqua Terra models now come with a Master Chronometer certification from Switzerland’s national metrology institute, Metas. This is a new, higher standard of quality that checks eight different criteria.
It includes conformity to its stated water resistance and power reserve capacity, as well as functionality in the aforementioned 15,000 gauss magnetic field.
There are also tests for chronometric accuracy, for example,keeping time correctly while in different positions, temperatures and power reserve levels.
While any brand can submit its watches to this intensive 10 day process, it is Omega who has once again blazed a trail, proudly achieving the world’s first Master Chronometer.
Omega’s use of non-ferrous materials that are not easily magnetised helped it achieve magnetic resistance of up to 15,000 gauss. But it also experimented further, reaching the 80,000 gauss milestone in 2013 and 160,000 gauss in 2016 using prototype Aqua Terra models.
Incredibly, the timepiece functioned perfectly during and after exposure to this huge magnetic field.
In fact, these levels of magnetism are more suited to fundamental research than everyday use. The 15,000 gauss remains the promise of Omega’s Master Chronometer standard, but these watches prove that the brand’s true capabilities can go much higher.