I too chose the AT for my one watch. It ticks all the boxes. I agree that the lume could be better, I have to try way to hard to read it in the middle of the night. I also really like the AT twisted lugs to end link transition. The Rolex lug isn't flush with the end link which has always bothered me slightly. If the Explorer had a date or the GS had lume, the decision woild be much harder.
Was torn between these two but Rolex made it easy with scarcity. The AT ended up being the amazing pick for me after really pondering on it and maaaaan, aqua terra is a great daily!
Aqua Terra would be my choice, it has the best case shape and the dial design in my opinion is fantastic. Really enjoyable video. Hope HK is calming down a bit for you and the family. Stay safe mon ami.👍
As much as I like the Explorer, it's the Aqua Terra for me. Especially the newer version with the slate-grey dial and the blue seconds-hand. Strongest reason for me is the price. The Omega brings so much more to the table than the Rolex and is still thousands of Euros "cheaper". I wouldn't buy a watch like this to flip it, so I don't really care about value retention. Which, IMO, is just an excuse for most guys anyway to justify the frivolous purchase of an overpriced piece of jewellery. ... ;)
The Aqua Terra is more expensive than the GS : 5100€ and is far more versatile than the Rolex. It has more power reserve than the Rolex , has anti reflective coating, has date and coaxial movement, it is 15000 Gauss resistant and 150 m water resistant. So technically the AT beats the shit out of the Rolex big time ! Omega winner by KO !
I just bought the Omega Aqua Terra in exactly the same look. For me it is the most beautiful watch in this price range, really unbeatable and for me it is also the perfect entry watch
Had both the AT8900 and thr GS Snowflake. The Snowflake was very nice and the finish is great but i prefer the AT8900 because the dial and indices were gorgeous. Also, the polished center was quite nice. Tried the Explorer and found it way too boring and felt like an old man wearing it.
As much as I like GS and wanted the snowflake, I can't help thinking that GS always falls short in not providing the case dimensions to the public, but the biggest issue for me is there braclets, there just not on par with the swiss, buying a 6k watch and having a braclet that feels it belongs on a much cheaper watch just isn't exceptable.
Ergonomically, Explorer beats everything. It wraps around the wrist like a strip of cloth. A watch is a piece of jewelry. Time reference is an EXCUSE to wear one. That understanding will help the judgement.
I have a Grand Seiko and I love mine. 41mm but wears like a 38mm, so it’s slim enough to be a dress watch, large enough to be casual and with a screw down crown it could even pass as a sports watch in my opinion. I kind of wish the hands had lume though but I know typically dress watches don’t.
@@chopin7572 Fair point, but I have owned the 36mm Explorer as well. For my work and lifestyle, I always want to know the date, and that helped me decide.
I want to thank you for sync'ing all of the watches to the same time; it drives me nuts when people review/compare multiple watches and they're off-sync. Anyway, GS for me.
Man.. I got myself FC the other day as my first "entry-luxury" watch, at least I thought so then lol... I probably gonna get myself Grand Seiko next when I buy next the real "entry level" watch. The real artisan craftsmanship, an inspiration to get me going throughout the day.
Aside for the horizontal dial lines are there other differences on the current version? I quite preferred the vertical ones. The AT is certainly one of the best watches on the market.
@@UptickWatchReviews You get the Meta certified movement that's as accurate as the Rolex, New case size (either 38 or 41), better finishing, new dial with the date at 6 and an amazing rubber strap if you don't go for the steel one. Considering that it's a third less of a price compared to the Explorer 1, it wins in my book. ( I don't like the vertical lines so I'm a little biased). Would go either white or black too.
Bonsoir du vieux continent. Très belle comparaison. J'ai longuement hésité entre Snowflake et Explorer pour mes 40 ans mais étant déjà fan de Seiko depuis plusieurs années et de la Snowflake depuis sa sortie c'est celle-ci que j'ai choisi. Sans regret aucun même si j'espère avoir l'Explorer également un jour. La finition me donnait une plus grande impression de lux et que dire de la précision (+0,2 s/j) et du confort : on ne la sent presque pas.
My collection is very similar to your. I have the Omega Moonwatch, Omega AT 15000 Gauss and a 2017 Rolex AK. Not seen a Snowflake yet, nowhere local sells them. I fancy the Tudor Chronograph with that beautiful movement
They all look very smart together your watches - I think I would buy the Rolex Oyster Perpetual over the Explorer, as my daily wearer Rolex. I love the Aqua Tera, definitely going to add it to my collection one day.
The Aqua Terra does it for me. The Rolex is good looking, but the hype around the brand - as justify as it might be - is just getting a bit overwhelming. I'd much rather hear about your Zenith!
My first luxury watch was (is) an Aqua Terra. (Although I have a nice Tissot and a Citizen Grand Signature, and Maurice Lacroix Aikon, but I guess the Aqua Terra is the only one that falls into luxury range. The Tissot and Citizen are fast only 2-3 seconds a day, don't know about the rest.)
Man, you really have the dream collection. Congrats! I absolutely wouldn't sell the GS (perhaps the Zenith if any). I also dig the watch box: could you please say where you bought it?
Very Nice collection. Congratulations. I am in doubt between AT or Rolex explorer /OP. I dont know the 39 MM would fit my 6.5 inch wrist nicely. Thanks for this good review. It helps a lot 👍
Gran seiko is big in your rest because it only have 17cm.And Tere have more polishing surfaces. About technologies grand seiko wins. I dont listen nothing about zenith el primero, and is a very good watch!. Very interesant review congratulations!
The GS is a bit dressier, the AT is technically great and looks lovely too but it's the explorer that has the x factor for me. It's the only one there that could realistically be a one watch collection and never be lacking. Roger Smith has one in his small collection... that kind of sums up how cool and respected it is.
Rolex looks perfect for your wrist. Seems more versatile to me. Aqua Terra almost too beautiful, if that's possible. Love the fantastic collection and your taste in watches.
I would love to have the newer Aqua Terra model with a titanic case, but i don't see it coming in the near future unfortunately... Else, I also like the Explorer, but because it doesn't have a date complication, it's a no for me... And i don't like the design of the Explorer 2 at all...
You have earned a subscribe for having 3 of my favorite watches in one video. I personally prefer the Grand Seiko over them all ... then the Aqua Terra
Yes, all are great. One of my deciding factor is the resale value. Think the Rolex Explorer have an edge in the resale mkt. May appreciate in value as it is the only 39 mm.
@Ron P Rolex are more timeless ? Completely idiotic. It's look is boring beyond words and you call it classical. The Reverso is timeless, the Santos is timeless, the Daytona is timeless, the omega moonwatch is time less. But all the Rolex watches except the Daytona are ghosts .
The Aqua Terra has the most interesting design, the Grand Seiko has the best dial and finishing, but the Rolex has the most timeless and classic design overall, as well as the appeal that comes with the brand name. All three watches are great, but if I had to have one watch for ever it would be the Explorer :)
The snowflake fit and finish puts the others to shame. It’s like comparing hand made cordovan leather oxfords to the thousand dollar air Jordan’s on eBay. Just because it’s in style and people are dumb enough to pay a premium for a trend, doesn’t make it a better product. Tape some weight to the inside of the Grand Seiko if you need it to feel heavier… 😀
I’m looking to buy my first piece and so far I have selected the same model as your Grand Seiko and the Omega. I didn’t bother with Rolex. A lot of watch enthusiasts have been saying to go with GS because of the level of hand finishing and polished work that goes into it versus something of the same price range for a Rolex. Hard decisions...
I think for a first luxury acquisition, you have to go Rolex. The Aqua Terra is the best value, the Grand Seiko is the most impressive technically -- but those two can always be acquired later. The Omega is the R8. The Grand Seiko is the Lexus LC. Rolex is the Porsche 911 and will always be the timeless choice.
AT but it is close. Wish it had better lume on the minute hand but I love the looks and display back while being a-magnetic. Snowflake is a little too big for me. Wish they made it in 39mm
I am really drawn to the Explorer with its simple and legible dial. But in my career I have found myself using the date complication on my watches constantly. This may be less of an issue now that I am older and in the office rather than the field. But I'm a bit afraid to sink that much money into a watch that lacks a feature that I use every day. I very much like the Aqua Terra, and it ticks the date box for me, but I wonder if I go that route if I would always regret not having bought a Rolex. Maybe I should save up a bit more and just try to buy a Rolex with a date complication, but that adds quite a bit to the price of their watches. The Grand Seiko looks neat, but I've been treated so poorly by Seiko USA Service on multiple occasions that they are out of consideration for my watch dollar.
Tom Crawford Avoid GS like the plague. I’m totally with you regarding the date. I almost look at my watch as much for it as for the time and I get frustrated so much when I’m not wearing the watch that has the complication that I need when I need it. My best advice is the Explorer II. You can’t beat its functionality/price. The Aqua Terra is an excellent watch but again, it’s not a Rolex and the co-axial escapement does not keep time like Rolex’s current superlative chronometer. I’m yet to find the ideal watch, I’ll make a video about that. The Explorer II is as close while keeping a reasonable price tag. The Vacheron Overseas Dual Time offers a lot but it’s quite big and $$$. That’s why the GMT Master II is top dog: it offers the emotional connection of a beautiful design with the functionality and ideal size. Finally, look at my review of the Zenith Chronomaster. That one has it all! It’s the mini-Patek 5270 and still a very complicated watch (service isn’t cheap but not crazy) and you get high beat! If i was you I’d get a Rolex Explorer II (42mm if you have large wrists or the old model if not) and put myself on the list for a GMT Master II or even get the discontinued 2-tone version for a bit of swag!
Great review, Many good points and great scoring system. Is score them differently in these categories but to each their own. I would get the GS. All great watches but the spring drive is such cool tech and the polished Ti metal is cooler than steel. The others feel old/boring in comparison. Finally the dial and finishing are next level on the snowflake. Then I’d pick AT as I prefer Omega as a brand to Rolex. Rolex is too pretentious, feels like you’re just showing off. Also it feels like an old man brand. Maybe once I’m 60+. I’d get the Datejust over the Explorer if I was getting a Rolex. I don’t care for the 3,6,9 on the dial. I like the quality of Rolex and I love the case shape but wearing a Rolex is just too… again… pretentious. I like the fact that only real watch people even know what a GS is. Flies under the radar.
If you are bothered about the few letters at the top of the dial you’ll choose the Rolex or Omega. Otherwise the GS is superior in terms of objective quality.
I’m not so sure. Yes, it’s well-polished but some prefer a more tool-like aspect as they won’t worry as much for scratches. Also I’m not sure the GS range is as immune to shocks and magnetism, putting Spring Drive aside. Finally, if something breaks down, the watch will have to fly to Japan.
Snowflake all the way. It is the best watch I had until now with a precision that I value more than anything else and for me it is extremely gorgeous. I had a 50 year anniversary Rolex Submariner that stopped working after 5 years and had to be fixed in Switzerland at the factory for 10% of the retail price. I also had for 6 years a Omega 300 m Co-axial diver with the 2500D calibre that was a very good watch but the precision was around 3 sec a day faster, whereas the GS Snowflake with the amazing Spring Drive gets 6 seconds faster PER MONTH! Beautiful but also amazing technology!
No worries.... My next purchase might be the Speedy but I'm not sure if I want to go with the hesalite or sapphire sandwich. Which do you have and why did you go for that one? I like the originality of hesalite but I'm going to use the watch as an everyday piece and I don't want it to get easily scratched up. If I go with the sapphire, I would not have to worry as much I think.@@UptickWatchReviews
xfilecity For me the choice was easy. I wanted the classic and got mine for $3200 on the grey market, brand new full set with the “moonbox” and all. You can’t argue with that price, which I think was the lowest ever reached. I guess the sapphire costs more. It has the advantage of the display case back but I think it’s always better to go for the classic version. You can always polish the hessalite. I’ve done it twice already, looks like new.
Thanks for the quick response. 3200 really is a great price. I'll most likely get the hesalite and keep it true to the moon watch. Awesome collection sir, keep up the good work.
Beautiful watches. All are so good. I love the Seiko but it is a little to big . The Omega is just so sharp looking . So cool . I guess the Rolex Explorer is the winner . Just right. Thanks for the video .
How about ease and affordability of servicing? These watches will all need servicing at some point in the future, more likely than not more than once over the lifetime of the watch ( depending on the length of time of ownership)
This is where Grand Seiko drops the ball big time. My experience in HK was so ridiculous, half-a-year for a two-minute job that they refused to do in the end, that I sold both GS I had and would never touch another one with a ten-foot-pole. Omega service is amazing in HK with online tracking and all done in the city center, but some people in the UK have complained. Rolex will be very easy for me here as well. In terms of affordability, I think both brands are reasonable in comparison to the purchase price. A watchmaker’s time is as valuable for any brand so it’s just the complication that will dictate the cost no matter what the watch. My Zenith chrono calendar is costly just because it’s a lot more complicated than a Sea-Dweller. Experience will vary from owner’s location but for me, all is done on-site by Omega and Rolex. But GS... abysmal local care and in the end it’s always back to Japan with zero tracing and total customer disregard. Just stay away, it won’t end well.
Great video. Thank you .. So I haven't had a single video of yours showing up in my feed, in almost a year even though i subscribe.. That's strange. Anyways. Good to be back 😁
Thanks Søren. Until I monetize and perhaps “purchase” x-thousand of fake subscribers the videos will not pop high on the searches. Little by little I hope that better content will prop them up.
@@UptickWatchReviews Oh yeah, he had a JLC reverso in season 1. then the explorer. But the one that debuted in season 5 to the end was the Deville. I think they finally hit the nail on the head with that one. it evoked the perfect style aesthetic of a well dressed man fro the 60's. Remember Omega was King then and Rolex hadn't yet taken over the world. I think for sure, the one everyone remembers is the Deville. I have a few and man they jumped in price after that airing. You could get them for $200, now they are well over a grand in good condition
