OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean vs. TAG Heuer Aquaracer

You asked for it, you got it: C&C’s first head-to-head watch comparison. Here is the criteria by which these two watches will be judged:

• Price Point
• Functionality
• Movement
• Materials/Composition (i.e. stainless steel, sapphire crystal)

Criteria is subject to change based on your feedback, so please let us know what you think and what you’d like to see next!

Obviously, this Seamaster model is a higher-end time piece than the Aquaracer. Both are automatic dive watches with similar functions, though, so how do they compare?

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two watches’ specs:

	OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean (232.30.46.21.01.003)…	TAG Heuer Aquaracer (WAJ2114.BA0871)
Case Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Bracelet	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Crystal	Sapphire	Sapphire
Water Resistance	600m	500m
Clasp	Fold Clasp	Fold Clasp
Movement	Automatic	Automatic
Movement/Caliber…	OMEGA 8500	Caliber 5
Bezel Function	Unidirectional	Unidirectional
Clasp	Fold Clasp	Fold Clasp
Dial Color	Black	Black
Calendar	Date	Date
Case Diameter	45.5mm	43mm
Case Thickness	17mm	13.3mm
Weight	1 lbs	1 lb
MSRP	$6,200	$2,850

From an aesthetics perspective, the two watches are extremely similar. The Seamaster is a bit beefier than the Aquaracer and weighs more as a result. The two big discrepancies are price and movement/caliber.

There’s certainly a correlation between the different movements and price. The OMEGA calibre 8500 movement is heralded for its accuracy. It’s a new movement, designed from the ground-up by OMEGA just years ago. Its Hour Vision Co-Axial escapement minimizes friction between parts, creating a more efficient timekeeping piece. The escapement is capable of oscillating 220,752,000 times annually, and the 8500 also features a twin barrel for added power. The movement features a 60-hour power reserve and 39 jewels.

TAG Heuer’s Caliber 5 movement is a Swiss ETA 2824 movement. The larger-scale production of the ETA movement makes it less expensive than OMEGA’s 8500 movement. Many watch enthusiasts harp on ETA movements for being less complex and mass-produced. The ETA movement, nonetheless, has proven itself to be a competent one, which is why so many watch manufacturers chose to use it.

Conclusion: All snobbery and preferences aside, here’s an objective look at the two watches:

• They’re both automatic watches, but their movements are apples to oranges. If you want to buy a watch because you appreciate automatic movements in general, both are fine choices. If you want to be part of a more exclusive club and wear a watch with an in-house movement, of the two, the OMEGA is up your alley.
• Both watches use a stainless steel casing and bracelet and have a sapphire crystal.
• If you want to buy a watch with a special automatic movement, the OMEGA is the obvious choice. It’s a “performance” movement, and is more expensive to service than a standard ETA movement.
• The TAG Heuer Aquaracer does the same thing as the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean for less. Both have respectable automatic movements – ETA has proven itself to be more than competent, which is why so many watch brands elect to use it as their movement. OMEGA should be applauded for having a go at an in-house movement and doing an extraordinary job.

The winner is your decision. It’s a matter of why you want an automatic dive watch. (Personally, if you choose TAG, I’d recommend a new Aquaracer – I think they look much better.)

Let us know what you think, and what you’d like to see in a future watch comparison!