Dare function is an absolutely requirement for a daily or a GADA. Somewhere between windsurfing on the beach and a penthouse business meeting downtown I’m going to need to know the date. WIS have suggested pulling out your phone; might as well _not_ wear a watch then and just check the time on the phone!
A date complication is one of the easiest ways to ruin a dial. Personally I always know the date because I have an office job. What I don't know is the exact time - which is why I wear a watch.
The 8800 movement is not a downgrade. I own both. The jumping hour hand is a neat little party trick but the quick set date is MUCH more useful. And the power reserve difference is irrelevant.
I own this exact Rolex, and a 38mm white AT on the grey rubber strap, so pretty much exactly both these models. And I love them both equally. I will say, you can make the Rolex bracelet even more perfect. A 36mm OP EasyLink fits the clasp perfectly, and allows you 5mm of on-the-fly adjustment for when you live in the heat like me and your wrist swells. It makes the Rolex literally perfect to wear. I love this model. But the Aqua Terra is amazing too :)
I have the Omega Aqua Terra 38 blue teak dial and the Oyster Perpetual 36. I don’t get the criticism on the bracelet. In my opinion the AT is so comfortable to wear. I really like the 3 link bracelet with the butterfly clasp and no microadjustment, because I found a pretty good fit even when my wrist swells and the butterfly clasp feels more secure than the clasp on my Oyster. I don’t use the microadjustment on none of my watches anyway. They always have to fit right away with some play for the wrist expanding and what I also like about the omega butterfly clasp is that is not taking to much space on the underside of your wrist and flows pretty well. No one is talking about AP and Patek not having microadjustment at a way higher price point. I do also like that the bracelet doesn’t tapering. The AT is solid built quality, specs wise better movement and the design of the dial is much more interesting to look at, but I have to admit that the Oyster Perpetual bracelet is really comfortable to wear. In the end they are both great watches and comparable with a slightly more edge for Omega imo. If I only had to choose one watch for the rest of my life I would choose the Aqua Terra allday anyday over my Oyster, Speedy and BlackBay 54.
@@Bu-22 Exactly. Good to know I’m not the only one thinking that way about the micro adjustment dealbreaker. Let’s not forget that AP and Patek also don’t offer any micro adjustment in their watches for over 50.000 $.
Thanks for the great post on an under-appreciated model. As a fellow 116000 blue owner, I'm with you on the baton hands. I love the Explorer, but have always found the printed Coronet to feel crammed underneath the 12 o'clock triangle. I love how the OP's applied gold Coronet doubles as the marker and, to me, declutters the dial. Also, the case measures at just over 37mm, so it wears a bit larger than the name would suggest.
At a recent service on my OP 116000 with blue 369 dial, Rolex swapped out the crystal to one with AR coating. The dial now pops. It's amazingly better.
I'm servicing mine soon and was planning on swapping out the hands for the later, thicker OP batons and adding an EasyLink. I'm going to look into swapping the crystal on your rec. Thanks!
Fantastic. My local repair shop basically told me that opening the watch right now (even just to swap out the hands) would be criminal with it running at +/- 1 second. So, I ordered the set of thicker hands myself to hold onto until that eventual, future service. I did, however, source and add an EasyLink. I couldn't be happier with that upgrade (especially with temps heating up).
Of course it is easier to set the date with a quick-set, but how often do you have to? If you're that type of guy that take a new watch every morning, I understand, but with the jump-hour you don't need to check if it's AM or PM and you can also set the date backwards. It can be a little tricky to set the seconds and minute hand in synch (I am meticulous about that) and with the jump-hour I wait until the right minute and just wind the watch then. Then I set the hour and date. Of course if you travel between time-zones and at day-light saving time changes the 8900 is wonderful.
I have the Omega with a white dial. It's my favorite watch. It's worn almost every day. The exceptions being when doing outdoor activities. Although, I wore it one day putting a generator together. That was not a smart move.
In my collection Aqua Terra 2503.80 39 mm blue sunburst, and Milgauss Black. My preferred one : the Aqua Terra. I long for the more recent blue AT small seconds on blue rubber. Perfect for weekend outdoors stuff.
I recently picked up the latest reference of the 36mm explorer and he’s right about the oyster bracelet. I typically am a strap guy, but the oyster bracelet is just so comfortable on the wrist. Similar to this op, it just has such an understated elegance, with a bit of a sporty side. My explorer is my GADA watch.
The Omega AT on the rubber strap is so comfortable. I also have the bracelet and will change it out on the rare occasions I want to dress up the watch.
My choice for best daily wear would be the 36mm Datejust smooth bezel on oyster bracelet best colour for me would be the silver dial aka THE SILVER BULIT 😊. For daily I want a date.
Lovely piece. The blue ‘Explorer’. Tbh if I had smaller wrists id consider one, but for me 36mm is just tiny. Even my latest 40mm Explorer wears modestly.
Nice analysis. I think you summed it up by saying the AT is the sportier option, and the more conservative, classic look goes to the OP. Personally, I prefer the AT, and especially love the interesting dial, rubber strap and stitching….a great overall look!
Great video! I love the teak dial on the AT, but I really don't like the polished centre links. Daily driver needs a date, so, I know it's more spendy, but I'd be going datejust with smooth bezel and jubilee bracelet. AT has the co-axial escapement but I think it's much harder to service (find a watchmaker and the length of time you'll be without your watch); Rolex have developed their own oil that helps increase the service interval, which on the 3235 is 10 years, and (at least in my experience) it's easier to find a watchmaker who can service them.
Interestingly the older 38mm aqua terrras have the jumping set hour hand 😉 and 5 hours more power reserve, I own the aqua terra skyfall truly one of the best watches. Bonus is that the bracelet is completely brushed on the older models too
If I had to choose between these 2, AT all day. The lack of date is a deal breaker for me if it is supposed to be a GADA watch, so a Rolex OP is a big no. Same issue with an Airking, an Explorer, a Millgauss or a no date Subs.
I actuall refer the 8800. The quickset date is more useful and the time zone function is a common failure point on the 8900. Also the 8800 is smaller so the case doesn't need to be too chunky.
Aquaterra looks better for me. I prefer having a quickset date over a jump hour function but thats also because i dont travel much and since my watches are on rotation, it's easier to change dates when its that watch's turn for the day.
Nice video - I have the 41 and the new 38 in the Shades collection in Saffron I love them both, but the new bracelet is absolutely beautiful and a tad bit more comfortable. Not a Rolex fan, so, Omega is my go to...Thanks for always having honest commentary and interesting facts!
Hi Max, I have the AT small seconds 41 and a 40 explorer 1 which are pretty similar to your video here. I have to say that the AT just has more character (dial, hands, more WR, Antimagnetic, and availability ), plus a date feature. Sometimes I feel it's a bit too big for me, and wished I had the 38 At like yours, and a 39 Explorer 1 - But I don't. I got both from the AD, so when they called...you know the story. I have a smaller (36) DJ which is OK because it's dressier watch design (?) so that's why I went bigger with the sports/professional models. They are still pretty good, no doubt. I guess it really depends if you like classic, contemporary style, then Rolex. More character and exciting, then go Omega. I feel the Oyster DJ and AT are better comparisons because of the date function, and over all looks, especially the polished center bracelet. Sometimes being compared to Rolex can be intimidating because of the brand (and the default choice), but the quality, performance and history may be better elsewhere. Again both brands are great, but when Im with the watch enthusiasts/crowd, I wear my Omega. Thanks, and congrats on another great video!
I’d go for the Seamaster all the way. You can go into an Omega boutique and buy it over the counter, whereas Rolex will say you are privileged to part with your hard earned and now you will wait for your purchase. Have a nice day.
I feel like everyone who thinks that a jumping hour is an upgrade compared to a quick set date has never owned a watch with jumping hour hand. It really is the other way around in my opinion. I have an explorer 2 and I hate setting that watch. On top of that, jump hour mechanisms like to break... especially on Omegas.
Great review and filming! Aquaterra all day for me even though the particular OP you have here is a great embodiment of Rolex. If only Rolex kept to that more restrained way more!
I LOVE my OP 116000. I’m surprised to see a mainstream watch RU-vidr showcase this. I thought it was going to come and go with little fanfare. I think it wears bigger than a 36mm which is a plus. I love the 3 6 9 dial layout which goes excellent with the deep blue sunray dial. It melts on my wrist. I think it also came in a silver dial. But the blue is by far the best IMO.
I also prefer a date complication for my daily. I have two dailies that are a similar comp to the watches shown in this video. I have a white dial smp300 and a GS sbga467 (spring drive). If I have to chose btwn the two it’d be the smp300 because of the lume. Lume and date are big for me
Picked up a MAMACOO's watch as my first watch last month and I’m absolutely in love with it. Perfect size, looks elegant, very comfortable. Now my only problem is holding off from buying more watches so quickly!
Don't know why you prefer the Rolex OP bracelet of that vintage over the Aqua Terra. Own the DateJust of that era and the newer Omega AT. The earlier Rolex bracelet rattles, looks and feels tinny, even cheap. I've never liked it since the catch actually loosened over time and need adjustment. I also have the Omega AT 41 mm. Don't know if bracelet is different than the smaller version but Lugs are 20 mm, the taper and solid feel of the bracelet matches the price point of the watch better, though I've never tried a rubber strap. Since both have date complication in my case, it's a wash.
Can’t beat gold polished Roman numerals that sparkle like jewels in the sunlight. Loving the sun ray dial man that pops! amzwatch watches. What a beautiful subtle piece.
I have both but my Omega AT is a first generation and I had the baton hands changed for Mercs on the OP. The OP is the best simple watch ever made period. The first generation AT is, for me, just breathtakingly elegant and graceful. It’s very hard to compare them because they were not designed to achieve the same form, yet both are near perfect in their design and function. I think they are equally amazing.
MaMaCoo You are so well-informed about luxury watches. You've obviously done your due diligence and the comparison to the US is very informative...because of course, I live in New York. thank you very much
Hands down the OP 36 in blue! Plus the Rolex brushed bracelet is on a class of its own. It’s the perfect daily driver in my opinion. I am also waiting for a call from my AD for a blue OP 36. enjoy yours!
This OP having 20mm lugs makes a huge difference. I tried it then tried the 36mm explorer, and found it flimsy, almost feminine, could not put my finger on the reason. It was the 19mm lug. I love the size of the 38mm AT, since the watch is all dial, is looks like a 40mm, whereas the AT41 looks a tad big for this same reason. But the AT38 has 19mm lugs, and the (excellent) rubber strap looks skinny on my arms. For comparison, the aquanaut has 21mm lugs, and looks and wears phenomenal. Just some tiny details watch people obsess about, but for that reason I like the OP, even though the AT on rubber is gorgeous as well.
Love nkuwan the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the watch. I don't think any other RU-vidr can show off watches in as much detail as you.
That blue dialed OP looks great on your wrist! Both are great choices and I'd choose the blue OP ... if only it was in 40/41mm for my 8" wrist. Plus the bracelet on the AT is a no-go for me w/the clasp it's offered on.
I love both! I think both would be perfect in my collection for different reasons. I think although similar in being a GADA watch, I find the OP a bit more refined and the AT more fun. They are both on my list for some day!
I've recently began my obsession as a watch collector. And i must say- out of all the luxury brands I've been researching, for me the AMZWATCH's watches are the most intriguing.
Having own both pieces, OP41 Silver Dial, Gold hour markers. AT 41 Green Dial and AT White Dial (kinda silver) 38 with rubber strap. AT without a doubt. Sold the OP. Not a fan of the oyster bracelet, but went well a Rubber B strap. To each its own, both are great pieces. May return to the OP 39. Kinda through with 40+ dial sizes.
I have both watches and they are both great watches. While the bracelet on the Rolex OP is very well made, I never got it to fit my wrist perfectly, but that's just my wrist. The Omega is not as classic looking, but very solidly made and feels tougher. Definitely a hard choice, and you can't go wrong with either one.
Two greats! Both have a different character. I have an OP and Exp 1 so I normally lean that way but that AT on the rubber is 🔥! 12.2 thick isn’t horrible but it could be thinner for an everyday watch
Having owned a 214270 for two years, I confirm this Explorer dial Oyster Perpetual, remaining true to its OP essence, is a better daily driver. Where as the current Explorer doesn’t have much connection to the 1016, bar for the name. If (as I do now), you no longer fancy forking out thousands and thousands of Euros on any timepiece, consider the Traska Commuter. A proper modern tribute to the Rolex OP.
I was looking to get the aqua terra for a daily but still felt it was a bit too much money for a daily for my budget. Got the new Longines conquest instead, 72h power reserve, AR coating both sides of the crystal, gorgeous bracelet and an amazing blue dial that comes alive in the sun. Super happy with it especially for sub 2k
I have the latest 36mm Explorer and it is (only just) a better GADA watch than my blue dial 38mm AT. I can wear the Explorer with a suit and when out hiking. The AT is better with a suit but, while it’s more than up to the challenge, just looks odd to me when I wear it with walking gear. That said, I don’t use either for hiking; I use my Planet Ocean which would otherwise sit in a box unworn!
A date is a MUST for me for a daily driver, so the Omega it will be. I bought aTudor black bay 36 a year ago and hardly use it beause of the lack of date. Love the watch but miss the date everytime i put it on. ☹
I love my blue Aqua Terra GMT in 43mm. Not a fan of that basket weave strap. I put mine on a matching blue sailcloth strap with deployant from Artem Straps.
