A few years ago, Swiss matchmaker Omega created the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer, capable of tracking every time zone on the planet, which proved popular with both international travellers and watch collectors. The Bienne-based company has now expanded the collection to include a lightweight titanium edition and two in stainless steel. All three have scratch-resistant ceramic bezels and Omega’s unique Worldtimer display. Impressively, at the dial’s centre is a view of the Earth seen from above the north pole, on a Grade 5 titanium surface. Showcasing fastidious attention to detail and employing a technique known as “laser ablation”, the entire topography is domed to reference the curvature of the Earth, even though it’s impossible to see with the naked eye.
Around the map is a 24-hour indication under hesalite glass, split into day and night segments. Omega’s hometown is included in the many far-flung global destinations circling the dial and its outer ring. Each place name is made from yellow gold for the steel versions – with the exception of London, shown in red to highlight Greenwich Mean Time, now more formally referred to as Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).
For the ultimate globetrotter, the 43mm titanium edition is a bold and sporty statement. On this model, Omega has created the whole black and grey dial, including the colours, with lasers. There are no transferred elements – apart from the London red, which is applied by hand with varnish. The matt dial is complemented by a brushed black ceramic bezel, with blackened hands and indexes filled with white Super-Luminova which emits a blue glow in the dark. It’s tied together with an integrated strap in black structured rubber with grey stitching.
Keeping it classic are the two steel versions: one has a metal bracelet and butterfly clasp, the other an integrated green rubber strap with grey stitching and fold-over clasp. Both are also 43mm and have a sun-brushed PVD dial in green, circled by a polished-brushed ceramic bezel. The indexes shine in 18ct Moonshine Gold, Omega’s proprietary yellow gold alloy.
Each of the new pieces is driven by the precision technology of Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer GMT Calibre 8938, an ideal companion for your Grand Tour – or just to be inspired for your next journey whenever you glance at the time.
Titanium, £11,500; steel with rubber strap, £9,900; steel with steel bracelet, £10,100; omegawatches.com
Joanne Glasbey is the editor of Brummell magazine and watch editor of Times LUXX magazine
