This year, Omega not only introduced the 60th anniversary Trilogy and the Speedy Tuesday, they also brought us the Seamaster Aqua Terra 2017 models. Not too long ago, we published an article on the 15th anniversary of the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra (you can find it here), showing you an overview of these models since the start.Every year, the number of new references that Omega introduces in Basel is just mind-boggling. I wouldnt mind if they would take it a notch down, but I guess that theres a market for each and anyone of them. Most people think I am a Speedmaster-guy, which is surely true, but I also have a weak spot for the Constellation and some of the Seamaster models. Owning and having owned a couple of Seamaster models, they were either vintage or part of the 300M collection. I never actually owned a Seamaster Aqua Terra, while Ive more than once showing interest in them.Seamaster Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.06.001So this year, Omega introduced to us a new line-up of Aqua Terra watches. The dial changed (horizontal teak deck pattern) and the case shape is become different: symmetrical instead of a-symmetrical. I requested Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra reference?220.10.41.21.06.001 already before summer, but it took a while before it was delivered. It seems to be the main problem for some watch brands these days, including Omega, to have their watches hit the market in a timely manner after its introduction during one of the big shows. Anyway, these are first world problems and no lives depend on these kind of things. So in the end, I received the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra?220.10.41.21.06.001. This model is part of the Aqua Terra 2017 collection and is actually one of the configurations I liked best when I saw them for the first time in Basel. It has a grey dial with blue hands and hour markers give a wonderful contrast and comes on the stainless steel bracelet with polished center links. Inside, well find the in-house developed caliber 8900 movement. Without further ado, lets have a closer look.The new 41mm Aqua Terra 2017 CaseAs you can read in my reviews on the previous Aqua Terra design (here for example), I had little to complain about the design of the Aqua Terra. The design of the Aqua Terra was influenced by the 1957 Railmaster model, a watch that has been relaunched this year as part of a Trilogy set and as a stand alone of 3557 pieces. Also, a contemporary Railmaster was brought back to life in the regular collection as well, as part of the Seamaster collection. Anyway, the 41mm symmetrical case is very handsome and feels great on the wrist. I have fairly large wrists, and I am very comfortable with the 41mm case diameter of this Aqua Terra 2017 model. The lugs have this polished finish on top, and a satin finish on the sides. The watch is quite flat, so it sits nicely on the wrist. The crown shows the same patter as the case back, as you can see on the picture below.On top, you will find the smooth stainless steel bezel around the sapphire crystal. It gives again a nice contrast with the brushed inside of the lugs.The Seamaster Aqua Terra really plays nicely with the (sun)light, the grey dial and blue hands and indexes really add some extra to that. The symmetrical case is in my opinion an improvement over the previous version, as now the crown doesnt have that sunken look. The crown has a brushed surface with a polished Omega logo in bas relief. The crown is screw-down of course, as it should be on a Seamaster.Teak DialWhat attracts most people (and me I guess) to the Aqua Terra is the teak deck dial. It emphasizes on the use near and on the water and with its 150 meters of WR, it can be used in and around the water for sure. The Aqua Terra dials with the exception of some special or limited editions used to have a vertical teak deck pattern. With the new Aqua Terra 2017 collection all patterns are now horizontal. It required a bit of adjustment I have to admit, as I was used to the vertical pattern. For me personally, it also works better for some models than for others. The black dial versions for example, I prefer them somehow with the vertical pattern. This grey dial, a bit fancy looking, is very nice with its horizontal pattern and especially with the blue markers and hands on there. The Omega logo and wording are also in blue while Seamaster is printed in white. Also the Co-Axial Master Chronometer indication is printed in white.I did notice that when I am wearing this Aqua Terra in low-light conditions, just not enough to have the Super-LumiNova kick in, the time becomes very difficult to read. Especially in the shade for example, the dial turns a bit too dark and the dark blue hands also wont catch any (sun)light. As soon as you move your wrist a bit, it will easily become readable again, but I had a few times that I was sincerely amazed by how dark the dial and hands can turn in low-light condition.At 6 oclock you will find the date aperture, with a trapezoid shape. The white date disc gives enough contrast with the grey dial and the printing on the date disc is in black. One of the disadvantages of the caliber 8900 movement in my opinion is the lack of a quickset for the date. By turning the independent hour hand with the crown in first position, you can quickly advance the date of course, but not as quick as a dedicated crown position for the date feature. It is a matter of getting used to I guess, but I for instance swap watches regularly and each time I take my personal watch with this caliber 8900 it kinda annoys me.Then, last but not least, theres the minute track on the dial. Printing of the indexes and numerals is in white, except for the 60, 15, 30 and 45. Also, this track has no pattern but instead an all flat and smooth surface. The second hand and minute hand are long enough to give an exact reading of the time. This also applies for the hour hand and indexes.The Aqua Terra BraceletSome of my colleagues here on Fratello have difficulties to deal with my criticism towards bracelets, but since I feel it is about half of the watch its appearance and feel, I find it an important part. In another article I gave you a run down of what I think are the Top 10 best bracelets when it comes to watches. Where brands like and Audemars Piguet have mastered the skill of creating a wonderful bracelet, Omega is still lacking to have an outstanding one to be honest. Theres always something that I feel can (or should) be done differently. Their recent bracelets on the 60th Anniversary Trilogy of Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster is nice, but slightly too thick and especially the clasp is way too bulky. This Seamaster Aqua Terra 2017 has a bracelet with a PCL (polished center link) as you can see. At first sight, a solid bracelet with a nice finish. Whether you like a PCL or not, is up to you (in the past the Aqua Terra had an all brushed bracelet). I do think a PCL fits the style of the Aqua Terra, but it will show some hairlines quite easily after a bit of wearing. The double clasp can be released by pushing the buttons. That is, by pushing them it releases one part of the clasp, the other part can then be pulled open with your fingers. The bracelet does add some weight to the watch, which I like a lot. The links are screwed, using two small screws that lock a little pin in the center. If you dont have the right tools, please have it done by a watchmaker or at the Omega dealer. I really dislike seeing damaged screw heads on a watch. The bracelet connects nicely to the case of the Aqua Terra, no annoying gaps (this used to be the case in the past with certain Omega watches).In all fairness, I think this bracelet is pretty well done. However. I prefer the look of the blue rubber strap with the center metal piece a bit over the all stainless steel bracelet I have here. Then, the watch is also available on an alligator strap. The rubber strap emphasized the sportive character of the watch and make it suitable for almost all conditions.So why isnt this stainless steel bracelet rated outstanding by me? Well, it doesnt have an easy micro-adjustment, so you need to replace a full-link by a half-link or vice versa when the bracelet is too tight or too loose. It is kind of a hassle. Especially when the weather changes, you will find yourself replacing links two times a year. Also, the bracelet doesnt taper. It is 20mm over the full length of the bracelet, while I prefer to have my bracelets taper a bit, this would look more elegant in my opinion.Below, an image of another Aqua Terra 2017 model (bi-color) on the rubber strap.