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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Quartz |
| Case Size | 38mm, 41mm | 40mm | 40mm | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 45mm, 47.7mm | 47.5mm | 48mm | 42mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet, stainless steel and precious metal combination bracelet, nato, rubber strap, leather strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap | Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 150m | 100m | 50m | 100m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It | Buy Now at Jomashop |
Buy Now at AliExpiress
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Buy Now at Amazon
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Buy Now at Amazon
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Omega Aqua Terra
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| Movement | In-house swiss automatic |
| Case Size | 38mm, 41mm |
| Lug to Lug | 45mm, 47.7mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet, stainless steel and precious metal combination bracelet, nato, rubber strap, leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 150m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It | Buy Now at Jomashop |
Phylida Aqua Automatic
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| Movement | Automatic |
| Case Size | 40mm |
| Lug to Lug | 47.5mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at AliExpiress
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Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic
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| Movement | Automatic |
| Case Size | 40mm |
| Lug to Lug | 48mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Amazon
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Stuhrling Original 3953
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| Movement | Quartz |
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Lug to Lug | 42mm |
| Band | Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Key Benefits |
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| Get It |
Buy Now at Amazon
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The Omega Aqua Terra has a smaller fan club than its older brother, the Seamaster, and the family patriarch, the Speedmaster.
Still, what its following lacks in numbers, it makes up for in enthusiasm. That’s because AT fans know that it’s one of the most wearable models and sound investments you can make.
It’s balanced but interesting, with just enough function that you don’t have to worry about it the way you would a dainty dress watch—and it literally goes with any style.
If you’re a fan, I likely don’t have to convince you why the AT is a worthwhile design. I may, however, have to convince you that the several thousand dollars is worth it.
Fortunately, I don’t have to do that at all, since we found six of the best Omega Aqua Terra homages on the market, each way more affordable than its inspiration. Read on to see which ones you’d consider.
How Did I Come Up With My List?
Since Aqua Terras aren’t homaged as often as other Omegas, namely the Speedmaster and the core Seamasters, there are more bad renditions out there than good ones.
Fortunately, as a long-time collector, I’ve had a good decade of experience handling, wearing, and consulting on ATs. I dug deep to ensure I found homages that have the look, vibe, and feel, eliminating more prospects than qualifying.
And since we all have different reasons for loving the AT, I spent hours consulting with colleagues, watch specialists, other collectors, and watch forums.
6 Best Omega Aqua Terra Homages
Image Source: AliExpress
The Phylida Aqua Automatic knocks all of the Aqua Terra design elements out of the park, even achieving the proper proportions between the horizontal pattern on the impressively finished dial, and the dagger indices.
As Phylida often does, they offer you three of the most iconic AT colorways (green, blue, and gray with blue accents), and the option to go with or without a logo. There are a lot of homage seekers who prefer the brandless, or at least brand-vague, aesthetic—if you’re one of them, Phylida’s got you covered.
Moreover, this watch is super comfortable to wear for most guys. Instead of choosing between the 38mm or 41mm case sizes as inspiration, it goes for a diplomatic 40mm. And speaking of size, one thing I prefer with the Phylida design over the actual Omega itself is the slightly-onioned crown, which makes it easy to grasp.
Function-wise, this watch runs on Seiko’s always dependable workhorse, the NH35A, which, on the rare occasions it might need servicing, is a piece of cake for most watch servicers thanks to how common its parts are.
What I Like
- This watch features well thought-out AT-inspired details, even nailing the dial face proportions and nuanced shades, like the dark cerulean accents on the gray variant.
- The dial and case have impeccably clean finishing throughout and, without magnification, looks downright perfect.
- You can view the NH35A Seiko automatic through the see-through back, offering visual intrigue from every angle.
What I Don’t Like
- The lume on the hands are weak, and virtually non-existent on the indices.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
One of the most recommended AT homages on the internet, Phylida gets a lot of love for its undeniable quality for price. AT fans also praise the brand for not taking any visual shortcuts, which a lot of homage-makers tend to do with less in-demand models like the AT.
Some reviewers mention that they don’t think their watch is equipped with a sapphire crystal. Sometimes, Phylida will in fact use a synthetic sapphire, which isn’t bad since it’s impact resistant as well as scratch-resistant.
However, if you’re dead set on a real sapphire, just make sure you clearly communicate that to your seller to ensure you know what you’re getting.
The Verdict
The Phylida Aqua Automatic not only does a detailed job on covering the important visual Aqua Terra details, like the arrow hands, boat deck dial, and pointed indices, but provides you a level of customization. Whether you have a specific color preference or want a logoless homage, the Aqua Auto still encapsulates all of the important AT qualities.
And instead of going for just the looks, this watch also has fine water resistance and an automatic workhorse powering it.
The Phylida Aqua Automatic not only does a detailed job on covering the important visual Aqua Terra details, like the arrow hands, boat deck dial, and pointed indices, but provides you a level of customization. Whether you have a specific color preference or want a logoless homage, the Aqua Auto still encapsulates all of the important AT qualities.
The Aqua Terra’s inspiration on the Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic is apparent in the mix of tool and dress watch features, especially in its combination of the railroad outer dial with polished dagger indices, and the legibility-forward sword hands.
As with any premium homage though, it goes its own direction, leaning harder into the dressy aesthetics. For one thing, the silhouette is traditional and simple, with a much shorter crown. Meanwhile, the guilloche center dial adds extra lightplay.
Every surface is excellently polished and every application is perfectly placed, displaying its high-level of Swiss craftsmanship.
This carries on into the inside of the watch, seen through the caseback. The Swiss automatic movement is accurate, has a sizable power reserve, and is as exquisitely finished as the dial, especially on the contrasting snail and pearl patterns.
What I Like
- Hamilton takes all of the elements of the Aqua Terra, rearranges some, remixes a few, then adorns them onto a simple and elegant Swiss construction, resulting in a watch that escapes the shadow of its source material.
- This watch has a traditional dress watch silhouette, further cinching the luxurious yet adaptable look.
- Hamilton’s H-10 movement is reliable, accurate, and boasts an 80-hour power reserve.
What I Don’t Like
- The 50 meters of water resistance makes me insecure to wear this watch by the pool or in the rain.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers love how Hamilton is an Omega cousin, both being in the Swatch group, making this “family resemblance” a little more legitimate.
Some mention how the short crown makes it difficult to operate though. So while it adds to the dressy silhouette, it might dock points on the usability factor depending on your dexterity levels.
The Verdict
Though it’s an upscale eveningwear timepiece at its core, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic has just enough muscle, substance, and size so that you can basically wear it in any situation—as long as water isn’t involved.
On top of that, this Swiss-made piece flaunts a movement that’s as cool to watch as it is effective.
Though it’s an upscale eveningwear timepiece at its core, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic has just enough muscle, substance, and size so that you can basically wear it in any situation—as long as water isn’t involved.
Yes, the Stuhrling Original 3953 looks and wears like an Aqua Terra. More than being a cheap look alike though, it’s a genuinely good timekeeper, combining exquisite design with super practical no-nonsense construction.
It runs on a Miyota quartz movement that’s accurate, dependable, and easy to service, which means this sub-$70 watch will last you years, possibly decades.
The finely brushed side links of the bracelet are partnered with polished center links, providing subtle dimensionality, while the vertical lines on the dial (which are different from the horizontal boat deck lines on the AT) are well-finished. Overall, this watch has thoughtful visual touches throughout, especially considering its price point.
What I Like
- The smooth-lined pyramidal lugs and unguarded crown are very similar to the Aqua Terra’s, providing a wrist feel that closely resembles what you’d get from wearing an AT.
- This watch is easy to operate, thanks to the serrated and graspable push-and-pull crown and the push-button deployment bracelet.
- Each purchase comes with a two-year warranty, and for an extra $12, you can up it to three years.
What I Don’t Like
- The lume is weak and barely works in dim situations, much less in the actual dark.
- Thanks to budget movement makers like Seagull, many of you will probably be disappointed in the quartz movement. Keep in mind though that a Miyota quartz is more dependable than any low-grade mechanical.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Despites some grievances about the quartz movement, many reviewers love how accurate this watch is, as well as how attractively designed it is.
As I mentioned, there are also a lot of complaints about the lume, so if that’s important to you, you may want to check out another homage on the list.
Also, a few reviewers mention that the blue version is much darker than photos depict it, which is good to know if that’s the colorway you’re going for.
The Verdict
The bang-for-buck Stuhrling Original 3953 has the look and wear of the Aqua Terra, repurposed into a practical and no-nonsense construction. Though it lacks bells and whistles, it’ll easily scratch your AT itch, while also accurately and durably keeping your time.
Corgeut offers different colorways of Aqua Terra lookalikes, including some fun nuanced variants of the more standard palette combinations.
For example, you can get the on-template black dial version, or you can get that very same one, only with yellow outer-dial numbers and an eye-catching dotted-line style second hand.
Meanwhile, the white dial version is adorned with blue hour and minute arrow hands, and a complementary yellow second hand.
Function-wise, you’ll choose between three movements. The Seiko NH35 and Miyota 8215 are slightly more expensive, likely because they’re easier to service. Still, the more affordable Seagull 1612 movement has the same 21,600 bph as the other two.
What I Like
- The different variants incorporate use of lively pops of color through contrast accents, offering fun options that aren’t always available through the actual AT range.
- The choice of movements at different price points allow you to accommodate your priorities when it comes to function and budget.
- Even all the way from China to the US, the shipping is free, and the purchase often comes with a 75-day buyer protection.
What I Don’t Like
- While it’s great to have different movements at different price points, it makes buying this watch on the secondary market confusing. As always, contact your seller to make sure you’re getting the movement you want and that you aren’t being overcharged.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers and forum-goers give props to this homage for its attractive finishing, especially for the price.
Some mention that the Miyota movement has a loud rotor, but I don’t think it’s distractingly loud. In the same way I like a strong tick on a quartz watch, I love a robust rotor on a workhorse automatic.
The Verdict
If you love the Aqua Terra, but wish it had more playful variants, go for Corgeut GMT Mechanical. They have a range of brightly-accented AT homages, so that you don’t have to mod a 10k watch.
If you love the Aqua Terra, but wish it had more playful variants, go for Corgeut GMT Mechanical. They have a range of brightly-accented AT homages, so that you don’t have to mod a 10k watch.
The Pagani 1688 is actually quite similar to the Phylida homages, which beat Pagani for the top pick by just hair thanks to its custom options.
They both even run on the ever-dependable NH35A automatic movement from Seiko, viewable through the 1688’s caseback.
It’s as aesthetically close as you’ll get to the AT as far as the homages go, including many popular variations like blue, black, and green.
What I Like
- A legal replica of an homage, Pagani does a commendably accurate job of recreating modern ATs.
- This watch comes in four colorways, including green, which is rare in the homage world.
- Pagani allows you to report any faulty parts or damage within seven days from the package’s arrival, and offers a one-year warranty on top of that.
What I Don’t Like
- Even after charging in the sun for an hour, the lume is weak and only lasts for a few minutes.
- I’d stay away from the leather straps, which are super plasticky and stiff.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
Reviewers point out the accurate proportions and good finishing for the price. As with many Pagani homages, it looks pretty high-end until you take a microscope to it.
Many love the hidden push-button clasp, since it makes the bracelet easy to use, but offers a clean aesthetic.
The Verdict
The Pagani 1688 is an effective homage if you want to “try out” an Aqua Terra for several fractions of its actual cost. With its low price and respectable warranty, this watch is a low-risk endeavor.
The Pagani 1688 is an effective homage if you want to “try out” an Aqua Terra for several fractions of its actual cost. With its low price and respectable warranty, this watch is a low-risk endeavor.
SO&CO Madison 5039B.2 has a darker blue dial than the blue Aqua Terra, almost the same shade as on a navy jacket. Between that and the fainter lines, there’s generally less activity on the watch face. The lines are almost invisible under certain lights.
Plus, the dagger indices are visually “defanged”, with flat edges, rather than pointy ones.
This understated take on the AT carries on into the lugs, which are a touch smaller and have a slight curve to where the silhouette moves towards the bracelet.
Finally, this watch runs on a reliably accurate japanese quartz movement.
What I Like
- A more minimalist take on the Aqua Terra, with subtler lines on the dial and a cleaner, more straightforward silhouette.
- Despite the almost 50mm lug-to-lug, the soft, non-dramatic shape of the lugs make this watch comfortable to wear even if you have smaller wrists.
- The vertical lines on the dial are more faint than on the actual AT, making this watch exceedingly legible.
What I Don’t Like
- Though this model frequently turns up on Amazon and eBay, it’s discontinued and therefore takes some diligence to find.
What Do Other Reviewers Say?
The Madison gets generally good reviews due to all the reasons I mention above.
However, one forum-goer mentions that on his SO&CO Submariner homage, the back of the case started to deteriorate simply from exposure to moisture. While there aren’t reports of this regarding the AT homage, clearly he has a SO&CO watch that isn’t made from stainless steel.
As always, shop with reputable sellers and keep in close contact with them throughout the buying process.
The Verdict
Overall, the SO&CO Madison 5039B.2 turns the volume down on the eye-catching design elements of the Aqua Terra. This subtlety adds a sense of formality to the watch, so if you want a less flashy take on the AT, this is the homage for you.
Overall, the SO&CO Madison 5039B.2 turns the volume down on the eye-catching design elements of the Aqua Terra. This subtlety adds a sense of formality to the watch, so if you want a less flashy take on the AT, this is the homage for you.
3 Quality Omega Aqua Terra Alternatives
An homage is an affordable option designed to look like a more expensive watch model, or at least offer its general vibe. Alternatives are different in that they’re comparable models, and they aren’t necessarily more affordable.
If you’re seriously considering an Aqua Terra, you’d do well to check out its competition.
The Oyster Perpetual is Rolex’s most stripped-down model, the template for all Rolexes in a way, and Omega doesn’t really have an equivalent. Still, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Omega has used the Aqua Terra to directly compete with the OP, from the blending of sporty function with simple dressy aesthetics, to the “collectible” quality of its wide range of colorways.
The OP is definitely simpler and therefore more versatile. It also runs a more accurate COSC-certified movement, thanks to Rolex’s in-house two seconds a day standard.
The core models of the Constellation line are the more regal everyday watches in Omega’s range. Instead of the striking dagger indices and broad arrow hands of the AT, the Constellation goes for more understated sword hands and baton indices. Where it concentrates its personality is on the bezel, which is adorned with stately Roman numerals and the iconic side claws.
The Constellation boasts all of the same Omega-specific functions, from the COSC-certified co-axial movement to the different colorways. While it balances brawn with elegance the way the AT does, this watch has a more ornate look and feel.
Image Source: Grand Seiko
Like the Aqua Terra, the Grand Seiko SLGH011G takes a fairly simple and classy dial, and makes it more exciting with background texturing and interesting shapes. With the SLGH011G, it’s seen through the green organic dial composition, which is inspired by birch tree forests in Japan, and the dimensional indices.
The craftsmanship that goes into this timepiece is evident through mirror-level polishing throughout, including on the bezel, which has a brushed step as well. This makes it unique from the AT, and a unique piece in general. It’s powered by Grand Seiko’s high-beat 9SA5, which has a power reserve of 80 hours.
Which Omega Aqua Terra Homage Should You Get?
The Phylida Aqua Automatic not only looks like the Aqua Terra, but functionally sounds and suits a wide range of wrist sizes.
The Phylida Aqua Automatic not only does a detailed job on covering the important visual Aqua Terra details, like the arrow hands, boat deck dial, and pointed indices, but provides you a level of customization. Whether you have a specific color preference or want a logoless homage, the Aqua Auto still encapsulates all of the important AT qualities.
Fellow Swatch family member, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic flaunts premium Swiss design and horological chops. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, the Stuhrling Original 3953 is an excellent budget choice.
If you’re looking for fun, unique colorways, check out the Corgeut or Pagani Homages. And if you want softer lines on your AT, the SO&CO Madison is for you.
Ultimately, it’s about choosing which homage best exemplifies the specific qualities you love most about the Aqua Terra.
FAQs
Can you dive with an Omega Aqua Terra?
It’s not technically a dive watch especially since it doesn’t have a rotating bezel. It can, however, handle recreational diving, which usually goes as deep as 60 to 100 meters.
Is the Aqua Terra a dress watch?
Yes, it can be worn as a dress watch, despite its sportier elements. That being the case, it can be worn as an everyday watch too.
Ever since I received an Omega Seamaster for my 16th birthday, I fell in love with watches. Professionally, this led me to work for New York and LA’s leading auction houses. Personally, it led to a life as a collector, my Seamaster and my Explorer II being my favorite timepieces.
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