Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light

Ultra-light, schmultra-light. Watchmakers have been using titanium for some time. While it’s hats off to Omega for making a watch case and movement out of sandblasted grade 5 Gamma Titanium, luxury watch buyers often complain about the lack of weight in a titanium timepiece. Anyway, the big news: the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light has a . . .

telescopic crown (and no date window). And it goes a little something like this . . .

Watch wearers might not be bothered by the crown jutting into their wrist, but they might. (Especially if they play golf.) As a design feature, the now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t crown is a home run, especially for minimalists like moi.

While it’s not an innovation, I reckon Omega’s telescopic crown will spread to models that cost less than the $48k Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light. Across the industry? That too.

Here’s the official Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light press release:

In sport, every athlete looks for the advantage that will raise their game. This is the same approach that Omega has taken to the new Seamaster Aqua Terra “Ultra Light”. As the name suggests, this ingenious sports watch is designed for less weight and more comfort during competition. To achieve that goal, every feature has been creatively rethought, resulting in a new edge of watchmaking innovation.

Designed in collaboration with Rory McIlroy

Behind the development of OMEGA’s latest Master Chronometer was one of golf’s major talents: Rory McIlroy. The OMEGA ambassador helped the product development team to create a watch perfectly suited to the needs of athletes.

New case material for Omega – Gamma Titanium

When presented on its sporty fabric strap, the ergonomic “Ultra Light” has a case diameter of 41mm and weighs just 55g. The dial is sandblasted grade 5 Titanium, and features a negative relief motif. The amount of material is kept to a minimum to save weight.

The case, caseback and crown are fashioned from an alloy called Gamma Titanium – a first for Omega. Gamma titanium is harder and lighter conventional titanium.

Telescopic Crown

Another first for OMEGA is the telescopic crown, which can be stowed inside the case when not in use. This ergonomic feature where the crown can be pushed into the case, and ensure that a smooth case which does not disturb the movement of an athlete’s hands during the game.

Three Variants

Each “Ultra Light” is presented on a rubber strap, and also comes with an in-play fabric strap for perfect comfort when required. Designed for preventing glare from the sun, OMEGA’s matte finished Aqua Terra makes bold use of color on the aluminum seconds hand, Seamaster logo, quarter hour indexes and strap stitching.

The Movement – Caliber 8928 in titanium

Shedding the weight did not reduce the watch’s precision or performance. In fact, the timepiece comes with OMEGA’s full 5-year warranty. On the inside, the “Ultra Light” is driven by OMEGA’s first- ever titanium movement.

All the bridges and the main plate are in ceramised titanium, which means there’s less friction between the components and it gives the movement this special dark grey color.

Calibre 8928 Titanium is a manual-winding calibre with Co-Axial escapement.

As a certified Master Chronometer approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), the Calibre 8928 Titanium is resistant to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. Much like OMEGA’s sporting ambassadors, it has proven its worth under the toughest conditions.