Just five years ago, to coincide with the 2019 European Masters golf tournament in Crans-Montana, Omega launched an exceptionally lightweight watch: the Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light. This watch has suddenly been thrust back into the spotlight during the 2024 Paris Olympics, but for those who weren’t there in 2019 and missed the original Ultra Light, some questions have arisen. So let’s take a look back at what makes this watch so special.
Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light
OMEGA worked closely with Rory McIlroy, one of the most successful golfers of all time, to develop this ultra-lightweight watch over the course of two years. The Northern Irishman became an OMEGA ambassador in 2013 and is often associated with the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra. He even had his own “edition” of the watch before the 2019 Aqua Terra Ultralight was released. During the Paris Olympics, we witnessed 12 athletes wearing this incredibly lightweight watch, including the blue and yellow edition on Monde Duplantis’ wrist. Dutch gold medalist Femke Boll also wore the “classic” 2019 Ultralight.
Caliber 8928Ti
According to Omega’s vice president of product, Gregory Kissling, the most challenging part of this watch was developing and manufacturing the titanium movement. This movement, the manual caliber 8928 Ti, has two barrels that provide a 72-hour power reserve and an average accuracy of 0-+5 seconds per day, fully compliant with Master Chronometer standards. The use of ceramic titanium also reduces friction between the parts. To make a titanium movement, you also need a lightweight case to house it; otherwise, of course, it would be pointless. The crown and dial are also made of titanium.
Gamma Titanium Case
But it’s not just the titanium movement that makes this watch special. The case (40mm x 13.5mm) is also made from a special titanium alloy called gamma titanium. Omega developed this new material specifically for the Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light. It contains +/- 34% aluminum, further reducing the weight of the titanium alloy. Not only is it lighter, it’s also harder. As mentioned before, the dial is also made from (grade 5) titanium. The dial grooves not only match the design of the Aqua Terra collection, but they also reduce weight.
The upper seconds hand is also made of titanium (on both versions). As well as the applied indexes, the hour and minute hands are also made of brass and are double-finished, making them visually striking. In the initial introduction, Rory McIlroy said, “…if you really want to hear what I have to say, listen a little bit more, because when you swing a golf club or a golf shaft, you can feel the difference of a gram or two.” Omega did just that, reducing the weight wherever possible, ultimately resulting in a watch that weighs in at 55 grams.
By comparison, a 41mm stainless steel Seamaster Aqua Terra on a rubber strap weighs 107 grams, while the 38mm version on a rubber strap weighs 90 grams. For someone like McIlroy, who is hyper-conscious of the impact of the weight he carries around, this weight saving is important. Some might say, “Well, then there’s no point in wearing a watch in the first place,” but that’s not the point at all.
Rory McIlroy wearing the Ultralight. Image courtesy of OMEGA.
Further requirements for ultralight
But McIlroy’s requests went beyond the lowest achievable grams, with other details such as reduced reflections, a raised crown and a new strap with integrated Velcro, all coming from his wish list. Although the watch was initially developed with golf in mind, it was also embraced by other athletes who prefer to wear a very lightweight watch during their sport.
The new Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light on the author’s wrist
Special features of this Aqua Terra technology flagship
As you can see, the design of this watch looks sleeker than your average Seamaster Aqua Terra. The design is an evolution of the first Seamaster 300 from 1957, which originally featured lyre lugs and wide arrow hands. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light’s shape is more ergonomic. This is mainly achieved by eliminating the crown. Omega has used a clever activation system to use the crown. Simply press it and the crown will pop out for operation. Once you’re done setting the time, push the telescopic crown back into the case. Now you’re ready for some serious golf.
“We know what athletes want from a watch, and through our collaboration with OMEGA we’ve been able to refine it. The new Ultra Light is a truly enjoyable watch to wear, whatever sport you play.” – Rory McIlroy
Is this watch for you (or us)?
The current Omega catalogue features the original 2019 model and the new blue and yellow references, each priced at over 55,000 euros (including VAT). But it’s like Ferrari putting a price tag on a Formula 1 car and putting it in the showroom. I don’t think it will lower my handicap when I play a round on the golf course. I also don’t think Femke Boll will go faster or Duplantis will jump higher when she wears it. The important thing is that there is something on their wrist that doesn’t hold them back. This is an initiative that watch brands are making. In this case, Omega has developed and produced something that is outstanding in many ways. This kind of development, such as making a full titanium movement and a gamma titanium case, requires a lot of competence from the brand.
The good news is that one day these technological marvels will bring back useful inventions and technologies in more realistically priced watches. I know a few collectors who bought Ultralights because they wanted something special for their collection, but I doubt we’ll see many of these watches in the wild. It was fun to see them “in action” during the Olympics, and it also gave OMEGA more exposure on social media. I’ll be keeping an eye out for McIlroy wearing the Aqua Terra Ultralight in upcoming matches.
For more information on the Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra-Light, visit Omega’s website.
