• Tired of adverts on RWI? - Subscribe by clicking HERE and PMing Trailboss for instructions and they will magically go away!

Mini Review of VSF's Aqua Terra Worldtimer

kennygconspiracy

I'm Pretty Popular
21/4/19
1,799
2,089
113
Anyone who knows me understands one thing. I am a simple man. I see a VSF release, I buy it ;) So here I am with yet another VSF purchase and review. And holy mother of juses krust is this hot, coming in both rubber and stainless steel. I'm thrilled to get the review out. It took me longer than usual due to testing of the power reserve.

Unlike subbies, Omegas are less complicated and more straightforward when it comes to reviewing, so let's get straight to it.
3c20b9af077c0f310b54dbacc3779544.jpg

First Impressions and Dial

When I first got the watch, the dial disappointed me. I didn't understand what had gone wrong. However, once it hit a fresh ray of sunshine, the watch burst into life. The dial twinkled, as if alive and winking! Definitely took me by surprise, and I was in love with this mysterious watch of dual nature.
2aaaacb94f838245f96a6b2069b5bf1e.jpg
5c7a3e10245489c1597dae08afbe0aa6.jpg

Here you can see the difference between the dial in low light vs direct light! The dial itself is very cleverly done. Though VSF has not gotten every micromillimeter of detail down, it is so miniscule and insanely difficult to spot on hand that it doesn't matter!

Lume

Not as perfectly even as with the submariner line. VSF is known to be somewhat flaccid in this respect. However still a fantastic lume that is premium compared to most reps.

428f78456b823432d0f40eab37d2714d.jpg


Case and Crown

The case has very nice even brushing, and beautifully polished mirror finish segments. At this point VSF has pretty much mastered the art. The watch wears snugly, and is not as thick as one may suspect. The lugs gracefully hug the wrist without trouble, and present themselves as almost invisible to the feel, like wearing air.

a90e9a11d21197745e3758112bf067e7.jpg


The most disappointing aspect of VSF Aqua Terras is the weakness in the crown stem. Of course, this is quite common in reps, such as on my IWC 502708. I do wonder if gens have the same issue. Anyhooot, when the stem is pulled out, the crown wobbles precariously. Any sudden jerking motion may snap the stem, so this is annoying. It makes the visually premium watch lose something special in terms of handling quality. Definitely something to look out for.

a3f35946b276fb1afb3a5800467fe423.jpg


The crown itself is very accurate to standard gen crowns, and other than the stem, presents a very premium presentation.

cb8886f32b72fbf738934924f762263c.jpg


Movement

The clone calibre 8938 is a stunning work of art. It functions exactly as per gen, with none of the terrors of the GMT timebombs in some Rolex reps.
7d7225122e5f3c71d3779b42b9020e5a.jpg
bb065ea2827e2ce9d099faa5ec5e9f50.jpg


The biggest tell here is with the gain regulator. With the Aqua Terra, it shows:

5c61baacd2192074973cd383d7bc615a.jpg


On the gen (Sedna variant), there is only one regulator arm:

95206ddb3c9d6315154ed7fe6c63f269.jpg


With my VSF SMP 300m, there is only one regulator arm as well:

f3397d1bf69a2db8c84feb9cb4e1e4eb.jpg


:picard2:

In all honesty that small detail irks me. However the Worldtimer is such a fantastic watch that one little wee part doesn't matter in the grander scheme :)

To note, the shock jewel casing is generally used to differentiate between VSF and relatively lower tier Seamaster reps like OMF and such.

This perspective shows another tell to look for i.e. the presence of 2 regulator arms instead of 1. The SMP 300 is a little cleverer in this aspect even though it is a modded 28xx ;)

Clasp and Strap

The clasp has beautifully construction with smooth and even brushing. Fantastic feel, solid and premium.
7b61b197c8bcb9eb7c16cff875bf48db.jpg
15ed6d0a0b1833115fa3a7623f7e499d.jpg


The blue strap is what makes the watch snap together. It gives it that extra edge! Definitely not brittle or plasticky. I would confidently put this on par with the gen strap given VSF's reputation.

31383bd49c15485d251d339693dd3df7.jpg
adaa09c6f2e0f36a90d32971b9ebc593.jpg
f86b194ececdfcdbea9224d53a9a2754.jpg


Final Thoughts

The Aqua Terra Worldtimer is a unique and complex timepiece. VSF has done a splendid job cloning nearly every aspect of it perfectly. I am very happy with this curious watch. Every glance is a different experience. However the issue with the stem weakness and imperfect movement cloning takes a single point away ;)

Score: [9/10]

[BONUS]

I tested the power reserve of the watch and clocked it in at 90 hours, which is fucking insane. I will be testing this at least 3 times more to confirm!

Thank you for reading all the way through. Please let me know what you think, and add to the conversation :cheers:
2b8b564ab7beb051a5829b2b7a1e23fc.jpg
 
Last edited:

Wguugw

Horology Curious
3/11/19
8
10
3
Nice review, great pics, and solid insights. Just one question-- does the worldtimer function work as per gen? I'm considering purchasing this beauty if it does.
 

NaviChief

I'm Pretty Popular
30/8/06
1,172
859
113
Great pics, honest review, and you worked the word flaccid in there. The community has been waiting on reviews, and you delivered. Thanks :clap_1:
​​​​​​
 
  • Like
Reactions: kennygconspiracy

kennygconspiracy

I'm Pretty Popular
21/4/19
1,799
2,089
113
Nice review, great pics, and solid insights. Just one question-- does the worldtimer function work as per gen? I'm considering purchasing this beauty if it does.
In the movement section of the review, aye I specify it functions exactly as per gen :) Hope that helps!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: replicaenjoyer

kennygconspiracy

I'm Pretty Popular
21/4/19
1,799
2,089
113
Great pics, honest review, and you worked the word flaccid in there. The community has been waiting on reviews, and you delivered. Thanks :clap_1:
​​​​​​
I aim to please, haha! ;) Thank you for the kind feedback.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk
 

Jayalvin777

I'm Pretty Popular
17/9/20
1,178
1,620
113
🇦🇹
Great Review Kenny. Just to add that the offer that came with the free rubber band didn't came with the correct spring bars. Omega uses 19mm for the bracelet and 20mm for the rubber bands, so it will pop out if you use the spring bars from the bracelet. Also I have tried the gen at Omega boutique and it was actually the same color as the vsf, omega sales man told me there's different color dial variations apparently, just wanted to add that as some of gens online have a lighter blue hue on the map. Probably the most beautiful rep I own.
 

hong999

You're Saying I Can Sell?
25/1/19
67
29
18
Thank you for this wonderful review. The rubber strap is absolutely gorgeous.
May I know how many round you wind the watch until it fully wounded?
My watch will deliver next week =)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kennygconspiracy

nasar73

Active Member
26/8/18
360
253
63
Wow thank you for this review. I went into the Omega store to see the world time. Below are the pictures.
I was considering buying a gen... however wasn't sure I would wear it enough to justify the price. Knowing that the rep is getting 9/10 this may be the way forward.
Just a question on the dial colour, is the rep a decent blue, it looks a bit washed out?
I'm now considering getting a gen Aqua Terra with a rubber strap instead.
 

Seamaster3459

Active Member
28/11/18
301
135
43
HOLY COW! I tried this on in the boutique and I remember thinking, "Well if this is every repped it'll be bloody awful." THIS IS INCREDIBLE. Thanks, so much, for this review. I am more than tempted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kennygconspiracy

nasar73

Active Member
26/8/18
360
253
63
HOLY COW! I tried this on in the boutique and I remember thinking, "Well if this is every repped it'll be bloody awful." THIS IS INCREDIBLE. Thanks, so much, for this review. I am more than tempted.

I liked it as well but was unsure to splash out for a gen.... just feel in years to come I will not reach for it. Going for a rep..... a great watch to wear on holidays.
 

kennygconspiracy

I'm Pretty Popular
21/4/19
1,799
2,089
113
Thank you for the review. It’s a lovely watch. The quality is unbelievable and it looks fantastic on the wrist.


A few pics for reference:

Indoor ambient light.
21a00dfd33e626e91fb7b023a13ac510.jpg




Outdoor natural light
1fe23d7aa2f73b31da57ae25149fcef3.plist

This is exactly what I meant by the watch coming to life! What a difference. Subtle indoors. Sparkling and lifelike outdoors! Thanks for sharing mate :)

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: KSwatches

Seamaster3459

Active Member
28/11/18
301
135
43
I liked it as well but was unsure to splash out for a gen.... just feel in years to come I will not reach for it. Going for a rep..... a great watch to wear on holidays.

I agree. I would almost certainly buy the gen used. Omega loses value so quickly. In this case, VSF seems to have nailed it, so this is probably the better option for me.