It's a tough choice, but for a daily all-arounder in the roughly $5000-7000 range I'd have to go with either the 2015 Ducati Monster 1200S, or the 2017 Yamaha FZ-09 on my local craigslist. 😉
After breaking my finger while leaving the track on my Yamaha FZ-07, I may be back to spending my money on watches. My riding buddy thinks otherwise and that all my problems would be cured with a Triumph Speed Triple.
For a one watch collection, between these two, I'd have to go with the AquaTerra. It's just a little more understated, and the striped dial looks nice. Also, the display back and the date function. Looks great on that strap. I wish the date display was at 6 instead of 3 though.
WE HEAR YA! 😜For me: Omega Aqua Terra 38 mm (the new version with horizontal lines and date window at 6). I think it has the most interesting design, and is the most featured-packed watch of the two. If I had to go Rolex, I'd rather go for a 36 mm OP (because the 36 mm also has those Arabic numerals every 5 minutes outside the hour indices).
One would think that a Datejust vs Aqua Terra would be a better comparison, but I actually like this duel better. Throw out complications and these two are the kings of the everyday watch for each respective brand. While I prefer a date complication, the Explorer dial really draws me in. The balance is stunning and the versatility is understated. While an Explorer may lie in the future for me, my everyday watch is a 2017 Aqua Terra 41.5 with vertical teak and I couldn’t imagine having any more admiration for it than I already do.
Nice video, I prefer the Omega over the Rolex because it’s beautiful, it’s technologically superior and have a date complication that for a one watch collection it’s a must! Keep the good work my friend!
It's not technically superior. Just different. There is no evidence to suggest the Daniels escapement is any better than the traditional one. Bear in mind the confidence Rolex has in their movements. 5 year warranty and 10 year service interval suggestion. Maybe the opposite is true. Maybe the Rolex is technically superior.
@@allan2098 it's true the new hair springs has made these new watches very accurate (for a mechanical watch) and the only advantage of the Daniels escapement is longer service intervals as it operates dry
@@rage8kage I get the idea behind it, but it is more complicated and Omega do not seem to be suggesting a ten year service interval. Daniels escapement is not dry, it also need lubricant. Different is not always better.
Without question i would go for the Omega here. The beautiful dial, amazing movement, and it's cheaper. Also it's more than likely an optical illusion but it seems to have a smoother second hand movement. As said it might not actually have, but all adds to a better asthetic in my opinion. Both great watches though
Nice work. I have the 36mm Explorer and if I could only have one, it’d be that one. It’s perfectly balanced and I prefer the simplicity of a no-date watch. Love Omega, but the Explorer is just too good.
For an everyday watch I have to have a date complication, I use my watch to check the date honestly more often than I use it to check the time, so it's aqua terra for me.
The move of the date to the 6 o’clock position is what finally got me to get one. I totally understand the change of the teak deck from vertical to horizontal, given the move of the date; it just works better from a balance stand point. I also appreciate the rhythm of the decking too where there is a slightly larger gap every 3 planks. The regular vertical planking of this older Aqua Terra just read to me like the vintage DateJust; been there done that.
I had to make this decision 4 months ago. I went for the Explorer and i love it. I don't regret it but sometimes i also think about "what if I'd taken the omega?". I might get one used later... :)
I would go for the Omega, simply because I don't want to choose the rolex because it is a rolex. You can definetely see that the omega has a bit more punch to it (IMO) and I know it defies the purpose of a 1 watch collection, BUT you could get the same looks from the explorer from a simple seiko 5. So for me the Omega would be more watch for your money.
Even though like teddy I'm not a one watch guy, I'm getting close. I own the aqua terra and has been the only watch I've worn on a daily basis. Only time it goes off the wrist is working out. To me a perfect collection for 3 watches would be omega aqua terra, speedmaster, and a seamaster diver. Yes I love omega. No I am not a sponsored ambassador of omega but wish I was.
Imho, the Aqua Terra should be compared with the Datejust: There are different dial options - and it has a date complication! Also, Sir Edmund Hillary did not wear an Explorer to Mt. Everest, but an Oyster Perpetual (which is now on display in a museum). But yes, the event was used to market the then new Explorer model.
Great comparison, I’d probably pick the Omega out of those two as I tried on the 38.5mm Aqua Terra when I was looking at getting my first ‘luxury’ watch. I did love the dial of the Omega and the case size was good and loved being able to see the movement through the back. I much preferred this sky fall model too with the date window surround, not only did the dial look more balanced but also it comes with a fully brushed bracelet which I much preferred over the later model with the polished centre links. The only thing I wasn’t sure about is that it seemed to sit a bit tall on my wrist and just looked a bit chunky. I also tried on a few different models of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, the 34, 36 and 39mm case. I found the 36 to be the sweet spot for me and now proudly own a 36mm blue dial with the 3,6,9. It’s like having an explorer with better proportions for my wrist and a more interesting dial (in my opinion of course) the 34mm felt just a little too small and the 39 too large. I wish Omega would release the current Railmaster in a smaller case size, I love the watch but when I tried one on it just felt a little bit for my liking, that would be a winner in my eyes.
Spec-wise, the latest Aqua Terras (with the date at 6 and horizontal lines on the dial) are even better, with a METAS certification and magnetism protection against 15,000 Gauss. Another plus for me over the Explorer is that I can choose between an "official" Omega metal bracelet, leather strap or rubber strap. The "Skyfall" AT looks georgeous, though. But in comparison to the Explorer, I find the AT indices a bit aggressive. I guess the best strategy for not-one-watch-guys is to get the Explorer as a black dial watch, and an Aqua Terra with another dial color …
An Explorer has been on my wishlist since my earliest days in the hobby. One of these days I will add one to my collection. If I had bought it first I might be a one watch guy.
Omega for me (and I own both). Lately, it seems that the Rolex badge is kind of a liability due to the perceived status by the general population. It’s nice having an Omega which flys under the radar
You said it best, you get more bang for your buck with the Omega Aqua Terra. I'd even prefer the Aqua Terra over the Speedmaster ...bold statement I know. Good video, thanks!
The Tudor Black Bay 41 could also be an everyday watch. I purchased a blue dial version recently and it fits my 7" wrist perfectly. I would consider purchasing the black or green dial version of the Omega Aqua Terra.
I actually just bought the Aqua Terra Master Co-Axial as my new daily watch. I’ve gotta have a date, if it’s my everyday watch. So I definitely go AT on this one. 😊 Great vid as always Teddy👊🏼
I think the aqua terra is a better watch and a better value. The movement is better, and the autonomy you need to demonstrate to choose Omega over Rolex shows some character.
The overly extended indices on the AT are meant to evoke the original early-1950s Seamaster (prior to '57, but not '48). Actually, the AT seems a reincarnation of the early Seamaster, again prior to the rotating bezel, and prior to the labeling of the DeVille line in (I think) the 60's. The indice look is thus more traditional than functional, and to me resembles maritime pennants. (The triangular maritime pennants stand for numbers.) I am looking for a nice watch for my next birthday (need an event to chuck down such cash) and seriously looking at the new AT in opaline white, with horizontal stripes. They say the lines/stripes are to remind one of a teak decking on a yacht. Perhaps the lines did during the Skyfall version time. While I have no memories connected with teak yacht decking, I always imagine yacht decking running horizontally. For me, in that opaline color and in the new orientation, the AT stripes are reminiscent of a sandy beach boardwalk in the bright sun. That's the feeling I want when I look down at my wrist all year long.
If Omega would skip the structures/lines on the dial and would offer a plain black dial like on the Explorer, I might have bought and Aquaterra instead of the 214270...really like the Omegas case proportions but really hate the dial as it is.
@@kikijammer both good with great history. And also it's call Databank. Funnily enough that you comment when I actually at store buying Casio databank. Now it's on my wrist at home.
I bought a Sub date a little over a year ago, and I think I should have bought Explorer 1 instead. No regrets, since I'll probably buy that too in the upcoming year. The sub is also keeper for life.
My everyday is the Omega Seamaster 300M in black with gold, used to be my Anniversary Submariner but I got tired of getting it demagnetized with traveling. Although I’m picking up an aquanaut, trading out my sub for it, as soon as my AD gets one, in green with white gold for me.
Can milgauss be the best everyday watch if the duel is between omega aqua terra and milgauss? Is milgauss right contender for the battle? Or milgauss is an upper crest?
Given that you can’t find an Explorer then it’s the Aqua Terra. But I decided on the OP 36mm with the 3-6-9 Explorer dial. A classic and a real stunner with the blue dial.
I have both these exact watches. The Explorer gets the most wrist time by a LONG way. The AT looks amazing, looks more dressy and is more interesting to look at. However the Explorer is way more legible and easier to read and makes it far more useful as an every day watch. Also, when it comes to lume, the explorer is readable all night long whereas the AT hands have very small amounts of lume and I find it very hard to read at night. Explorer gets 10/10; AT gets 8/10 as let down by poor lume and case thickness (in comparison).
My 3 cents about latest iterations (aq 38mm and ex 36mm): -omega looks far more aggressive and modern while rolex is classic with nice modern touch (bolder indices), some may say this rolex is boring, -omega is less legible due to lack of 12 hour index difference, the minute hand is more eye-catchning (arrow shape) than hour hand -for me it should be vice versa, moreover arrow hand blends with wedge indices, -omega has inner and outer ar coating, but the outer layer is susceptible for scratching so this is unncessery, rolex only inner, -bracelet in rolex is more comfortable with micro-adjustment clasp, omega has no micro-adjustment, -for professional watches (or GADA) polished middle row of bracelet in omega is impractical, -omega anti magnetic 15000 gauss is enormous, but is it useful in normal use? Please enlighten me :) -rolex has more power reserve 70h vs omega 55h
I sold my Rolex Sub (afetr 8 months ) and got the Explorere 39mm,and put it on an Everest band ...and i love it !! (the sub was too heavy/bulky and showy for me ) .. Undersatated ,great lume ,great movement and timekeepin..,i looked at the Aqua terra ,but found the indices to be too shiny for me ,and the lume not as bold as i like ...so i ended up getting the 2019 Railmaster (also an Aqua Terra)which has the same great movement,and put it on a leather strap .Both are great timepieces that i alternate b/w regularly ...(.Great, informative video BTW !)
I think im a six watch guy at the least, the explorer I will be a future addition. Holding off until after basil to see what's released and pulled the trigger on a jlc master control sector dial instead.
I have both an Aqua Terra 38.5mm and an Explorer 114270 36mm plus a vintage Omega Seamaster 1955 and vintage Omega Constellation 1965. One of them is the best everyday watch and the perfect watch for me. It is a timeless, classic design that's built to last and is so comfortable on my wrist. Love it. Since I got it all my other watches have stayed in the watch box and it is the watch I choose to wear every day..........That watch is the Explorer.
I think that blue face orange strap omega is beautiful, but i dont think it will work with as many outfits as the rolex. I think that's important to consider for an everyday watch as well. The rolex will work with everything short of rocking sweatpants
That Explorer is nice, with its longer hands which restore the well-balanced proportions of the 36mm original. I would go for it out of those two, but I would look for one in good used condition from a trusted used-watch dealer.
The Rolex for me if price wasn't an option, especially on the long term servicing cost(s); I picked up an Alpina Alpiner 4 in an attempt to mimic, in part, some of the design elements consistent with these types of watches.....while much, much larger & containing a Sellita sw 200 movement, long term it will be much more affordable to service. I also like the look of the Monta Triumph; with the Sellita sw 300, both of these watches retail in 1300ish range & could be an other option for some if price factors into the eqation. But I'm with you, I rather like swaping out pieces & mixing things up, great comparison Teddy
I got the speedmaster racing for my birthday in june, didnt think i would want another after getting this and loving it, but the aqua terra, its beautiful. If money wasnt an issue.... i would 1000% buy one and have a 2 watch omega collection :D
Perhaps I’m going slightly over your set budget but I’d go for a DJ41 in steel on an oyster bracelet as a 1-watch collection for its price, versatility and class... Out of these 2, although I admire the Explorer more, I would vote for the AT. I really like the dial design, I think it’ll be more at home in more formal settings than the Explorer and it has a date window which I personally don’t think a watch should go without... Pre owned, the AT would be the winner imo... but these are definitely 2 absolute icons!
My ,,only watch,, or ,,every day watch,, has to have a day/date. Those 2 complication are and always were really useful to me although I’m sure many would disagree. Omega does have one luckily 😀 and that’s the one on my list
214270 is about 2x more expensive than it should be, bit it doesnt matter. You could amortize the the price over 100 years and multiple generations and it wont be obsolete or out of style. My mk1 version keeps quartz acuracy. Around - 3 seconds per month last time i checked. The omega is a fine choice as well though.
Explorer for sure. Way more elegant and timeless. Shark teeth indices to me arent as timeless. Explorer super versitile... idk...I'm just in love with it lately. Looks way better on wrist than in any pics or vids. Plus...for my money...will be worth more thirty years from now than the omega. Wish rolex did open comebacks though.
I kind of want to get a Rolex but I always come to ask myself: who buys this kind of watch? At least in Germany the signal you‘re sending with a Rolex is kind of mixed and not what it used to be. From a brand perspective, I prefer the Omega. But I will take some time to think it through and decide on other factors. However, I really like the Rolex but something just seems „off“ when I think about wearing it in public
