Finding my Daily Driver: Rolex OP vs. Omega AT

Rolex prices have stabilized, and I'm buying! In today's video I put my new 116000 Oyster Perpetual up against thet 38mm Aqua terra to see which makes the best daily driver.

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[kanemillard]

For me a daily driver needs a date, i can look at it 50 times a day and still forget.

[ditmerk]

As a owner of multiple watches i prefer quickset date over this jump hour setting. I fact i think most do so i dint see it as a weakess

[DannyKaffee]

The 8800 movement is not a downgrade. I own both. The jumping hour hand is a neat little party trick but the quick set date is MUCH more useful. And the power reserve difference is irrelevant.

[TheBeastly]

I own this exact Rolex, and a 38mm white AT on the grey rubber strap, so pretty much exactly both these models. And I love them both equally. I will say, you can make the Rolex bracelet even more perfect. A 36mm OP EasyLink fits the clasp perfectly, and allows you 5mm of on-the-fly adjustment for when you live in the heat like me and your wrist swells. It makes the Rolex literally perfect to wear. I love this model. But the Aqua Terra is amazing too :)

[JLGoldman]

Thanks for the great post on an under-appreciated model. As a fellow 116000 blue owner, I'm with you on the baton hands. I love the Explorer, but have always found the printed Coronet to feel crammed underneath the 12 o'clock triangle. I love how the OP's applied gold Coronet doubles as the marker and, to me, declutters the dial. Also, the case measures at just over 37mm, so it wears a bit larger than the name would suggest.

[seanpham]

I have the Omega Aqua Terra 38 blue teak dial and the Oyster Perpetual 36. I don’t get the criticism on the bracelet. In my opinion the AT is so comfortable to wear. I really like the 3 link bracelet with the butterfly clasp and no microadjustment, because I found a pretty good fit even when my wrist swells and the butterfly clasp feels more secure than the clasp on my Oyster. I don’t use the microadjustment on none of my watches anyway. They always have to fit right away with some play for the wrist expanding and what I also like about the omega butterfly clasp is that is not taking to much space on the underside of your wrist and flows pretty well. No one is talking about AP and Patek not having microadjustment at a way higher price point. I do also like that the bracelet doesn’t tapering. The AT is solid built quality, specs wise better movement and the design of the dial is much more interesting to look at, but I have to admit that the Oyster Perpetual bracelet is really comfortable to wear. In the end they are both great watches and comparable with a slightly more edge for Omega imo. If I only had to choose one watch for the rest of my life I would choose the Aqua Terra allday anyday over my Oyster, Speedy and BlackBay 54.

[alexbizz]

At a recent service on my OP 116000 with blue 369 dial, Rolex swapped out the crystal to one with AR coating. The dial now pops. It's amazingly better.

[JamesAlexander]

I’d go for the Seamaster all the way. You can go into an Omega boutique and buy it over the counter, whereas Rolex will say you are privileged to part with your hard earned and now you will wait for your purchase. Have a nice day.

[tpoz]

I have the Omega with a white dial. It's my favorite watch. It's worn almost every day. The exceptions being when doing outdoor activities. Although, I wore it one day putting a generator together. That was not a smart move.

[abwallace]

I owned this exact 116000 for approx 5 years. I sold it, and regret it to this day 😔
Insane versatility and flies under the radar

[mrdisco]

I actuall refer the 8800. The quickset date is more useful and the time zone function is a common failure point on the 8900. Also the 8800 is smaller so the case doesn't need to be too chunky.

[AgGuy]

The Omega AT on the rubber strap is so comfortable. I also have the bracelet and will change it out on the rare occasions I want to dress up the watch.

[Czeron]

I recently picked up the latest reference of the 36mm explorer and he’s right about the oyster bracelet. I typically am a strap guy, but the oyster bracelet is just so comfortable on the wrist. Similar to this op, it just has such an understated elegance, with a bit of a sporty side. My explorer is my GADA watch.

[Cga]

Hi Max, I have the AT small seconds 41 and a 40 explorer 1 which are pretty similar to your video here. I have to say that the AT just has more character (dial, hands, more WR, Antimagnetic, and availability ), plus a date feature. Sometimes I feel it's a bit too big for me, and wished I had the 38 At like yours, and a 39 Explorer 1 - But I don't. I got both from the AD, so when they called...you know the story. I have a smaller (36) DJ which is OK because it's dressier watch design (?) so that's why I went bigger with the sports/professional models. They are still pretty good, no doubt. I guess it really depends if you like classic, contemporary style, then Rolex. More character and exciting, then go Omega. I feel the Oyster DJ and AT are better comparisons because of the date function, and over all looks, especially the polished center bracelet. Sometimes being compared to Rolex can be intimidating because of the brand (and the default choice), but the quality, performance and history may be better elsewhere. Again both brands are great, but when Im with the watch enthusiasts/crowd, I wear my Omega. Thanks, and congrats on another great video!

[StittSpring]

As always the most thoughtful, well researched & eloquent watch channel around, MAMACOO keep coming !

[chrisdenning]

Great video! I love the teak dial on the AT, but I really don't like the polished centre links. Daily driver needs a date, so, I know it's more spendy, but I'd be going datejust with smooth bezel and jubilee bracelet. AT has the co-axial escapement but I think it's much harder to service (find a watchmaker and the length of time you'll be without your watch); Rolex have developed their own oil that helps increase the service interval, which on the 3235 is 10 years, and (at least in my experience) it's easier to find a watchmaker who can service them.

[moeharri]

Is the number "50" messed up on the Omega? The "5" looks like it has horrible printing at 2:27.

[KeepingWatchUK]

Lovely piece. The blue ‘Explorer’. Tbh if I had smaller wrists id consider one, but for me 36mm is just tiny. Even my latest 40mm Explorer wears modestly.

[JDizzledum]

I vote Omega, and I would also add that they have some nice alternate in house straps e.g. the mesh, which fits the theme of the watch nicely

[PPN]

If I had to choose between these 2, AT all day. The lack of date is a deal breaker for me if it is supposed to be a GADA watch, so a Rolex OP is a big no. Same issue with an Airking, an Explorer, a Millgauss or a no date Subs.