INTRODUCING: The ice-inspired Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022

Zach Blass

Some say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. To be fair, nature as a form of inspiration for design is hardly tied to one individual entity. But within the watch world, when you think of nature-inspired dials, the mind immediately wanders to Grand Seiko. It is a winning formula for the Japanese manufacture, and one I am glad to see other manufacturers reinterpret in their own way. In anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in February, Omega has introduced a new Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022 edition that stands out with its ice-inspired dial.

Its nature-inspired dial really is a distinctly Omega take on the trend. Omega has been known to use ceramic dials and the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022 leverages a frost-finished white ceramic dial. The predominantly blue scaled outer minutes track is a crisp untouched white, framing a slightly darker grey-white centre that reveals a frosted or scratched-rink like texture. Another neat design element is its blued applied Omega branding, central hours, minutes, and seconds hands, and applied indices. At 6′ you have a well-matching blue on white date disc, a symmetry-maintaining position many prefer when the complication is present. I should also mention the red accents of the dial, found on the 60th, 15th, 30th, and 45th minutes of the outer minutes track, as well as the Seamaster text beneath the Omega branding.

The remainder of the watch maintains the familiar format of the Aqua Terra Seamaster line, with a 150-metre water-resistant, stainless-steel, screw-down crowned case that’s 41mm in diameter, 13.4mm thick and 47.9mm lug-to-lug across the wrist. The case displays the usual mixed finishes, mirror polished on the bezel and bevelled lug shoulders with a satinated inner lug and caseband. Its three-link bracelet blends into the case with narrow outer links satin brushed and broad central link fully mirror polished. I have always felt that the Aqua Terra Seamaster is Omega’s competitive equivalent to the Rolex Datejust, a robust and elegant watch that’s ripe for daily wear.

Inside the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022, beneath a solid commemorative caseback, is the in-house Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8900. The calibre notably boasts 60 hours of power reserve, a silicon escapement, and time zone functionality that allows you to quickly set the hour without interrupting timekeeping – a great way to have travel functionality while not having the presence of an extra indicator or central hand. I probably would have preferred an exhibition caseback, considering the nice decorations of the movement like its Geneva waves in arabesque. But the frosted caseback and Beijing 2022 Olympics executed in relief is by no means hard to appreciate.

Overall, if you need a crisp white versatile watch perfect for the beach or boardroom you may want to jump on this intriguing and textured twist on the Aqua Terra Seamaster.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022 pricing and availability:

The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022 is available now for purchase via Omega and their authorized dealers. Price: $6,200 USD