Omega Seamaster vs Iwc Aquatimer Comparison

Comprehensive comparative analysis of the Omega Seamaster and IWC Aquatimer models: Case finishes, movement precision, dial details and production tolerances are examined in detail with Saat Detective expertise standards.

The Omega Seamaster and IWC Aquatimer offer very competitive features, so how do they differ from each other? Find out in this detailed comparison.

Omega Seamaster VS IWC Aquatimer

What is the difference between IWC Aquatimer and Omega Seamaster?

Case Size - Water Resistance - Movement - Bezel - Strap/Bracelet - Price - Warranty

These two brands are often compared to each other. Both are brands with excellent reputations and are respected in the watch industry. So, let's take a closer look at the diving watches of these two brands, Omega Seamaster and IWC Aquatimer; Let's see how they compare to each other and discover what exactly makes them different.

Let's start with the size. The increasingly common trend in watch design these days is a larger watch case. This means size in terms of width and height, not thickness. Watch manufacturers often try to make watches that are feature-rich but have thinner cases.

Case Size

What is the sizedifference between the Omega Seamaster and the IWC Aquatimer?

The most popular Seamaster has to be the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Co-Axial, which was last redesigned in 2018. Pre-2018 models had a 41 mm case and 13 mm thickness. The new 2018 Seamaster Diver Co-Axial Master Chronometer has a case size of 42 mm and a case thickness of 13.5 mm.

The new 2018 Omega Seamaster 300m has a transparent sapphire glass case back that allows you to see the movement in action. The IWC Aquatimer, on the contrary, has a solid stainless steel case back and does not allow you to see the movement from the back of the watch's case.

IWC Aquatimer has several models in the series with different sizes. The entry level is a 42mm watch with a 14mm case thickness. Some of the larger Aquatimer watches, such as the Aquatimer Chronograph, have a 44 mm case with a case thickness of 17 mm. If you're looking for comfort, the Seamaster will likely take up less space on the wrist and will likely be easier to hide under an arm thanks to its slightly slimmer profile.

Although the size of the Aquatimer 42 mm differs from the Seamaster by only 1 mm, in Aquatimer models with silver dials, these models feel like a larger watch, as the dial and the steel bezel appear as a single, continuous color. Contrast plays a role in the perception of size, and models with a black or blue dial with a stainless steel case do not have this visual effect.

Waterproof

Which is better waterproof, Aquatimer or Seamaster?

Both are waterproof up to 300m/1000ft. This includes both the Aquatimer Automatic Chronograph and the Omega Seamaster 300m Diver Co-Axial Chronograph.

Omega Seamaster is a large watch collection that includes several series. When most people talk about the Seamaster, they actually mean the Seamaster Diver 300m, but technically there is a series within the Seamaster watch family that has higher water resistance than 300m/1000ft: the Omega Planet Ocean 600m. As the name suggests, this model has twice the water resistance of both the Seamaster Diver 300m and the IWC Aquatimer.

One feature of the Omega Seamaster 300 that IWC does not have is the Helium Release Valve. This valve is designed to vent the buildup of tiny helium molecules that have leaked into the watch. This usually occurs when a professional diver uses a diving bell and breathes through a tank filled with a gas mixture such as Trimix, which contains helium.

The helium atom is the smallest atom found in nature, and this valve allows the helium accumulated to be evacuated upon surfacing and during decompression. This movement was first developed by Rolex and Doxa in the 1960s; It is not found in every dive watch, but it is found in some of the best dive watches.

Mechanism

How do IWC Aquatimer and Omega Seamaster movements compare?

Both watches have a mechanical self-winding movement, also known as an automatic movement.

IWC Aquatimer Movements

Most of IWC Aquatimer watches have the caliber 30120 movement, which IWC produces in-house. This movement is found in 42 mm non-chronograph models. The larger 44 mm Aquatimer Chronograph models have a different movement, IWC caliber 79320.

The IWC 30120 caliber is a 21 jewel movement that beats at 28,800 VpH and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

The IWC caliber 79320 is a 25 jewel movement that beats at 28,800 VpH and has a power reserve of approximately 44 hours.

Omega Seamaster Movements

2018 model Seamaster Diver 300 watches use some innovative components in their movements. For example, the Omega caliber 8800 and 8806 movements still retain Omega's Co-Axial escapement, which was also used in many previous models carrying the 2500d caliber. Its predecessor, the Omega caliber 2500, did not have a Co-Axial escapement.

This feature has since become standard on all Omega watches. It contributes to the stability, durability and precision of the watch by using less friction and therefore less lubrication. As a result, the intervals between regular maintenance intervals are lengthened, which extends the life of the watch.

There are a few more features of the new Seamaster Diver 300 Co-Axial Master Chronometer watches that are definitely worth mentioning. First of all, they use Si14 silicon balance spring, which is not affected by electromagnetic waves. Normally things like electronic devices would emit an EMF and magnetize the mainsprings in a mechanical watch, causing accuracy problems. The Si14 mainspring prevents this.

They also now have the title of Master Chronometer. This means that after the caliber has been rigorously tested by COSC and received a COSC certificate documenting its accuracy in real-life conditions, it goes through another round of testing and fine-tuning in another laboratory called METAS. There they are tested for waterproofness, sensitivity and magnetic exposure higher than 15,000 gauss.

When they pass all the tests at METAS, they receive a second title, the Master Chronometer. So far, Omega is the only watch to receive this second title; This title certifies a level of precision that surpasses even a COSC certificate. The Omega 8800 caliber found in the 2018 Seamaster watches is now visible through the transparent sapphire glass caseback, showcasing the beautifully crafted movement.

Bezel

Which has a better bezel, IWC Aquatimer or Omega Seamaster?

Omega Seamaster Diver 300m uses ceramic-filled stainless steel bezels that are extremely resistant to scratches and unaffected by discoloration caused by exposure to UV light. The Seamaster has a unidirectional rotating bezel that makes a slightly ratcheting sound when rotated. There is a lume dot at the starting position of the bezel. The newer 2018 Seamaster models also feature a white ceramic diving scale, while their predecessors had a satin-finished diving scale on the bezel.

How does the IWC Aquatimer's bezel work?

IWC Aquatimer watches are fitted with a unique bezel featuring the IWC SAFEDIVE SYSTEM. It has a unidirectional rotating bezel like the Seamaster, but with a difference.

Turning the outer bezel ring counterclockwise activates the inner bezel. On the other hand, when the outer bezel ring is rotated clockwise, it does not affect the inner bezel. This prevents a diver from accidentally adjusting the bezel to extend the dive time, thereby remaining underwater longer than intended. This inner bezel takes 60 clicks to rotate a full revolution.

There is a sliding clutch system that makes this feature possible. This sliding clutch is located on the side of the case at the 9 o'clock position and is secured by a protective shield. While this protective cover has been available on Aquatimer Automatic watches since their redesign in 2014, older models did not have it on the case.

Strap / Bracelet / Band

What kind of watch band does the IWC Aquatimer have? The IWC Aquatimer comes on either a stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp or a black rubber strap with a pin buckle (pin buckle). IWC Aquatimer straps and bracelets are produced with a lever-operated quick-change system integrated into the ears. This allows you to quickly replace your strap or bracelet with another. The Omega does not have a quick-change feature integrated into the strap like the IWC Aquatimer.

What kind of watch band does the Omega Seamaster have? However, the Omega Seamaster offers a few more options for how the watch straps to your wrist. The Seamaster Diver 300m collection offers models that come with a blackor blue rubber strap; Some models come with a stainless steel bracelet with a push-button folding clasp and an integrated diving extension that allows you to extend the bracelet to fit over the sleeve of a professional wetsuit. There are also a few models that come with leather straps, or even a striped fabric strap known as a NATO strap.

Price

The IWC Aquatimer's entry-level list price is about XXX higher. The list price of a new Omega Seamaster is XXX.

Warranty

There are also some factors to consider when trying to choose between two watches or even two watch brands. Warranty period is one of them when purchasing any high-priced product; While some consumers may not mind a shorter warranty period, this may be a deciding factor for others. However, Omega offers a 5-year warranty while IWC only offers a 2-year warranty. But this is IWC's warranty out of the box. As of November 19, 2019,IWC announced that it will extend the warranty period from 2 years to 8 years when you register IWC's international limited warranty online in the MY IWC program. They also consider this extended warranty valid for any watch purchased within the last two years.

Summary

Should I buy an Omega Seamaster or an IWC Aquatimer? If you find yourself asking this question, you should know that both IWC and Omega make great diving watches. Each has certain characteristics that are unique from the other. Omega has precision and more accurate mechanical movements with magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss and above. The Seamaster Diver 300m has a very distinctive and modern look, which became popular after being featured on the wrist of James Bond in the 007 movies over the last two decades.

Is the IWC Aquatimer a good watch? The IWC dive watch has a more classic look and a larger and slightly thicker case than the Seamaster; It uses a movement based on a Sellita-based caliber, and although this movement has been modified by IWC, it is still unquestionably inferior to Omega's Master Chronometer in terms of precision and would never fall within the specifications of a COSC Chronometer, let alone a METAS Master Chronometer.

Both are waterproof to 300m/1000ft, but only Omega has a METAS certification, which confirms that the waterproof testing was carried out by a third party and that the watch can withstand this kind of underwater pressure.

Also the Omega has a helium release valve which the IWC doesn't have. It looks like Omega adds more value at a slightly lower price point, offering more impressive features like a helium release valve for divers, as well as more delightful features for watch enthusiasts like a transparent sapphire case back that allows you to see the movement in action from the back of the case.

However, there are those who hold IWC in a higher position than Omega in terms of watchmaking, as they also produce watches with high complications such as perpetual calendar. Both watches look quite different from each other, and ultimately you need to weigh what is more valuable to you: to impress watch collectors or professional divers. Usually it all comes down to personal taste and preference.

Click here to see how IWC and Omega compare as brands.

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