Omega Release New Aqua Terra GMT Worldtimer 2023

Nestled somewhere between diving watch and dress watch, Omega’s Aqua Terra has always been a more streamlined take on nautical style, and one that’s surprisingly diverse, ranging from the super colourful 2022 models to map-based worldtimers. In fact, Omega have revisited the world time function with the newly revealed Aqua Terra GMT Worldtimer 2023 and it might just be the best version of the watch, especially with three new variations.

As before, the focal point is the map at the centre, the Earth as viewed in all directions from the North Pole, surrounded by a 24-hour scale on an inner ring and time zone cities on an outer ring (including Omega’s home of Bienne, of course). Additionally, the atlas has been laser ablated, which basically means the various colours and surfaces have been lasered onto a piece of grade 5 titanium for a level of realism and detail that would be impossible by hand. This also means it can be domed to mimic the very not-flat Earth.

It’s a stunning centrepiece for the trio. The first of the three flavours is the titanium edition, with a 43mm case in lightweight, corrosion resistant metal. Here the laser ablation extends to the entire dial rather than just the map. The result is a finer texture than guilloché and a sleek grey and black look. That monochrome-adjacent colourway is extended to the case too, where the brushed titanium case meets black ceramic bezel and black rubber strap.

The other two versions are really just one with different strap options. It’s two references (220.30.43.22.00.001 on a steel bracelet, 220.32.43.22.10.001 on a green rubber strap), but I’m just going to count them as the same watch, as I reckon most people would.

Along with the laser ablated globe, this time with green oceans as opposed to the titanium edition’s light grey, the outer section of dial uses the Aqua Terra Worldtimer’s signature longitudinal lines, again in green. It’s more in keeping with previous models, if not as clean and sleek as the titanium. Contrasting with the green, the cities, hands and indexes are all in gold (other than London, which is always red). It’s finished again with a bit of metal-ceramic contrast between the 43mm stainless steel case and the green ceramic bezel.

Both (or all three, if you’re Omega) versions use the calibre 8938 automatic movement, tested to METAS Master Chronometer standards and with a 60-hour power reserve. It’s protected by 150m of water resistance because, while the Aqua Terra Worldtimers might not be dive watches, they’re nautical; they need to survive more than a splash of water.

Pricewise, the Aqua Terra Worldtimer 2023 is a touch more than previous versions, which would set you back £9,200. Here, the steel versions are £9,900 on rubber and £10,100 on bracelet, with the titanium edition is a slice more at £11,500. That’s a relatively significant increase, but for the shiny new finish on the dial that makes the titanium version one of the most handsome worldtimers around right now, it’s not bad.