Decisions, and Decisions

Follow your head.  This is your first mechanical watch.  One wrong move and you will be wearing quartz until you die and the world will be the lesser for it.

If you really like the freedom of not worrying about the watch, then the less expensive CW is the way to go. If you're always going to be wishing you had the Aqua Terra even after buying the CW, then the AT is probably the better choice.  I don't own either, but I'd have to say that if any of my non watch friends asked me to recommend a single watch, my advice to them would be to seek out a deal on a gently pre-owned Aqua Terra, as I feel it's one of the best all around watches available, especially for pre-owned prices. Of course that advice would only apply if they could comfortably afford it.

I would find a better tool watch and save the aqua terra for a 2nd special occasion watch. A good diver on a metal bracelet can take a beating. My daily wearer is a Tudor Black Bay 58 that I bought 4 years ago. I wear it doing everything and it still looks great.

But between those two, I’d get the Omega no doubt. Buy once cry once. You’ll always be proud and happy with the Omega. 

An Aqua Terra is what I tend to suggest to friends who want a nice mechanical without the fuss.  It's the best one and done watch there is.

That said, have you tried it on?  It can be something of an odd fit given the butterfly clasp.

Aqua Terra is awesome BUT the CW is such a great value = great movement,  new bracelet is awesome AND if you hate it I might take it off your hands ... if it's 40mm

I was looking  for pre-owned and previous generation AT but the reference I wanted never showed up. Thank you for the advice

I tried it on the rubber strap which I loved. The fit and finish of the AT was never a question. 

Even better.  I think the AT is the best on the rubber strap and the Omega one is a good one.

I mean, it sounds like you're there.  If you can afford it, go for it.  No sense in messing around with something else.

I tried on the Tudor BB, just was not crazy about it. Good suggestion

I really think the budget can decide this one for you since the two watches shown sell in quite different price ranges.  I own an AT and a CW C1.  I love both watches.  They are both quality pieces so I don't expect you to be disappointed either way.  I was told that the AT is a go anywhere do anything watch but I find it a little casual to wear with a suit.  If you buy the CW you can also get a Seiko Presage cocktail time watch and have a dress piece as well.

That was surprisingly bleak.  Not wrong, but bleak.

Get both! 🤷 😂

Both lovely watches,  but for me the AT,if I had a one watch collection the At is it.

On the surface both watches seem similar but that's only the surface. Omega is Omega and you'll probably wish to had the Aqua Terra even after buying the CW. Go for it!

I like the freedom of not worrying about the watch, and having funds for my future projects; hence practicality.

I think you answered your own question. Follow your head. The heart is treacherous anyway. Lol. plus in no way is getting a Christopher Ward a bad thing. It’s a great brand. 

I am a really big fan of CW.  They have been killing it lately with the Sealander, Aquitaine and new 300.  They are super solid watches for the money.

If you are willing to bide you time I see those ATs come up second hand for quite a bit below retail on a pretty regular basis.  

I've been there. Followed my head, regretted it months later, went back and followed my heart, ended up with less freedom than if I'd just followed my heart in the first place.

Assuming you can responsibly purchase any of the two, just bite the bullet and buy the Aqua Terra. We all know it's the one you really want :) 

Having gone through the micro journey when I started in this hobby and eventually moving on to more established brands, I can attests to the fact that micros often don’t compare in quality, nor should they except in the higher end micros. Having said that though I think having gone thru the micro phases helps me appreciate what the main brands have to offer in a way that I don’t think could have been replicated had I gone straight to say an Omega. 

Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself. If you can afford it without the purchase effecting your financial situation at all, always go for the watch you really want. It’s worth it in the end. These modern watches can last multiple life times. Enjoy the watch of your dreams. 

I guess it comes down to how financially well off you are. I know some people who earn enough to buy the AT in a day. But for me it would be a year of saving hard. 

Have to agree with the last poster, it really depends on how much $6k is to you. If it's an amount you could lose and not have a serious impact on your life, then get the AT. If you are going to be worried about the watch every time you wear it or thinking about how you might have to sell it to pay bills, then get the CW.

I'm a big fan of CW, such great quality for the price. But having said that if you have your heart set on the AT you should definitely get one, you'll only regret it later on.

First of all, follow your instinct and obviously your financial possibilities.
I must say I love my AT. It is a completely and versatile watch that fits in all scenarios, from diving to more formal occasions. I use my AT for everything and every day, I only remove it from my wrist when I go to sleep. The movement is out of this world. Super faithful and accurate! I usually get to the end of a month with just +5/+10 seconds. Really amazing!

You can't go wrong with the AT. And beyond that, it looks great with any strap, whether NATO or leather.

https://youtu.be/LtVpCA8LTCo?t=1188

I just ordered the CW, but my reasons are a bit different than yours. I'd love to have an AT, but I mostly wear divers, pilot and tool watches. Those are my GADA's. A sport watch is about as dressy as I get, so I already know it's not going to get the same wrist time as my Sinn or some of the other ones. I can't justify the price of an AT for what I want it for. So the CW seems like it'll fill that role nicely. IMHO, the CW is a lot of watch for the money. If it were something I planned on wearing a lot, I'd go for the AT.

If I get the AT, I would need to insure it. But that would be another thing I have to take care of

Keep in mind too that if you go one way and it doesnt work for you, you can sell the watch and go the other way. Obviously the loss would be bigger if you go the AT route, unless you go used? Looks like you can get a good used white AT in the $4ks. But you could also go CW and then sell it later when you have time to save up for the AT?

Own the CW blue version. Have owned a black dial A-T. 
 

The Omega is the better watch but definitely not worth 6x the cost; BUT, if your heart is set on the Omega, don't settle. Law of diminishing returns be damned!
 

Trick is to go to an AD, try on the Omega and you will instantly know if is worth the cost. 
 

Tried on multiple Tudors and Longines while on a trip. None tickled me until I put on the BB58 925. Looked at the salesman and said, "sh*t, I am in trouble."

He said, "yeah you are."

When you know, you know. Still didn't buy it but my wife got it for me a couple of months later. 

Congrads man

Having purchased five Christopher Ward watches over the last decade, each of which I still own and each of which stays within 2-5  seconds of "atomic clock" GMT over 24 hours, there's no question n my mind that I would go with the CW.  

Go for the AT. The sealander that I have is a great watch but if I could justify to myself the cost of an AT I’d not hesitate getting one.