Baco Noir
WWF Advisor 
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,335 
Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Jun 8, 2017 20:16:04 GMT -6
I got invited to the Basel Release party at the Omega Boutique tonight. They brought in a lot of corporate staff and all the Basel releases with working movements but marked "Not For Sale" on the lugs where the serial number goes. I was most surprised by the Aqua Terras. They are available in both 37mm and 41mm and priced at $5400 on rubber or leather or $5500 on a SS bracelet. The have the 8900 movements and sapphire case backs. The 41mm is 13.2mm thick and worn really well on my wrist.   These are great values and even better with a discount from a friendly AD. I also tried on the Railmaster. The strap was really nice but not sure about the SS inserts in the tang buckle holes.   This one is 40mm, so just 1mm smaller than the AT, but felt small. All 3 have a conical crown that's wider on the outside to make it easier to grip - subtle change but really nice. |
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CHIP
WWF Founder
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Posts: 37,789
Name: Chip
Location: Dallas
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Post by CHIP on Jun 8, 2017 20:53:21 GMT -6
The silver dial with blue hands is the one I like the most.
Does it have the jumping hour hand?
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,335
Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Jun 8, 2017 21:08:53 GMT -6
The silver dial with blue hands is the one I like the most. Does it have the jumping hour hand? The grey teak dial with blue iridescent markers/hands was amazing. I didn't try it but I think it does. |
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Post by aerome on Jun 9, 2017 6:03:39 GMT -6
Interesting stuff! I like the orange trim/highlights! Wonder what a NOT FOR SALE would be worth to a collector.
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,335
Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Jun 9, 2017 7:39:50 GMT -6
Interesting stuff! I like the orange trim/highlights! Wonder what a NOT FOR SALE would be worth to a collector. I recall seeing one on a forum FS once, but don't recall what it did to the pricing. I imagine it would mean it would have to be serviced by independents as Omega might confiscate it. I really like the white and orange - it was the first one my eyes were drawn to, but it's too similar to my Explorer II colors to add to my collection. |
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Post by carl on Jun 10, 2017 13:30:58 GMT -6
Thanks for the pics, Roger. I still think they mucked up the Aqua Terra. I do like the Railmaster, though, partly because it does look like it fits fairly small. Would like to know what the bracelet is like for that model.
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Post by carl on Jun 10, 2017 13:32:02 GMT -6
Interesting stuff! I like the orange trim/highlights! Wonder what a NOT FOR SALE would be worth to a collector. I recall seeing one on a forum FS once, but don't recall what it did to the pricing. I imagine it would mean it would have to be serviced by independents as Omega might confiscate it. I really like the white and orange - it was the first one my eyes were drawn to, but it's too similar to my Explorer II colors to add to my collection. The AT is nice, but I have to say the Explorer II wins hands-down IMO. It has to be the nicest white dial watch that anyone makes. |
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,335
Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Jun 10, 2017 20:11:35 GMT -6
The polar Exp II isn't going anywhere, so no worries there. Thanks for the pics, Roger. I still think they mucked up the Aqua Terra. I do like the Railmaster, though, partly because it does look like it fits fairly small. Would like to know what the bracelet is like for that model. What don't you like about the ATs?  |
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Post by carl on Jun 10, 2017 20:59:56 GMT -6
The polar Exp II isn't going anywhere, so no worries there. Thanks for the pics, Roger. I still think they mucked up the Aqua Terra. I do like the Railmaster, though, partly because it does look like it fits fairly small. Would like to know what the bracelet is like for that model. What don't you like about the ATs? Liked the vertical lines on the dials better. And also the way they did the date window, with the frame around. It seems like they are making changes just for the sake of change. And desperate to do so. Just my feelings. |
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,335
Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Jun 10, 2017 21:33:05 GMT -6
The polar Exp II isn't going anywhere, so no worries there. What don't you like about the ATs? Liked the vertical lines on the dials better. And also the way they did the date window, with the frame around. It seems like they are making changes just for the sake of change. And desperate to do so. Just my feelings. Patek does the horizontal lines too. I don't have a preference for either. I thought the stepped date window looked nice IRL. |
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Post by carl on Jun 10, 2017 21:41:58 GMT -6
Liked the vertical lines on the dials better. And also the way they did the date window, with the frame around. It seems like they are making changes just for the sake of change. And desperate to do so. Just my feelings. Patek does the horizontal lines too. I don't have a preference for either. I thought the stepped date window looked nice IRL. Maybe I will have to take a closer look when the new models come into town. My feelings of late about any of the Omega introductions have been very mediocre at best. Resting nicely on the laurels of their advances in the anti magnetic movement technology. I give them credit for that. But I haven't had any watch in over 20 years that has had to be de-magnetized. And of all the new watches I have owned, with one exception, they have had the worst accuracy I can remember. My Seamaster 36mm with the old 1120 movement, in fact, had the best accuracy. And that strap and that strange link at the case do not appeal at all. I think that Patek has the horizontal lines on their Nautilus models. And I don't like those either, in fact the entire Nautilus line. I just don't understand the direction Omega is trying to take right now. |
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Baco Noir
WWF Advisor
WWF Admin
Posts: 31,335
Name: Roger
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Post by Baco Noir on Jun 10, 2017 22:29:02 GMT -6
carl - they do seem to be listening to the thickness critique. I talked to several different reps there and when I brought that up they showed me a new speedy that's thinner (don't recall the model, but white dial / 2 register) due to a flatter sapphire caseback - felt very well - as well as the ATs and Railmaster that were around 13mm thick, and both with excellent price points. I'm hoping this is a sign they are turning the corner. EDIT: Found it. It's the new Speedy racing models. 
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Post by carbon6 on Jun 11, 2017 0:03:55 GMT -6
I like this Speedy!
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