Luxury watchmaker Omega has a rich history of iconic design and pushing the bounds of possibility in the horological world. The family business that would become known as the Omega company produced mechanical marvels wrapped in desirable, wearable styles. Today, over 175 years later, the brand continues that legacy with Swiss-made Omega watches that still stand for beauty, innovation, and excellence.
Brandt Family Watchmaking
In 1848, a young 23-year-old Louis Brandt founded a watchmaking workshop in his family home in the Swiss village of La Chaux-da-Fonds. Here, he would focus intensely on creating the most accurate timepieces possible.
After Louis Brandt’s death in 1879, his sons would continue the family business, expanding their father’s legacy and innovating with astonishing success. Sons Louis-Paul and Cesar moved the business from the family home to the city of Biel/Bienne, where Omega headquarters remain today.
The Omega Line: a Brand is Born
In 1894, the Brandt brothers released a design that would change the face of the family business. Their line of Omega watches featured an incredibly accurate mechanism with interchangeable components. This meant that any watchmaker in the world could repair an Omega watch without modification. Because wristwatches endure much wear and tear during use, this feature was revolutionary for servicing and maintaining the timepieces.
The Omega watch also featured another amazing innovation for the time. It allowed the wearer to wind the watch and set its time by using the stem and crown, two key parts of watch anatomy. This is still a standard feature in mechanical wristwatches today. For its pioneering design, Omega won the Grand Prize at the Universal Expo in Paris in 1900.
In 1895, the Brandt brothers introduced the first Omega brand marketing, featuring the personification of time itself: the Greek deity Chronos. He is pictured holding a timepiece high above a globe in one hand while holding a spear and pointing at the Omega name and symbol with the other. The Omega name and branding would become the new face of the Brandt family business and stand for timeless design and thoughtful technological advancement.
Why Designer Watches?
Whether you’re an avid collector or looking to purchase your very first watch, choosing a quality timepiece deserves thoughtful consideration. Designer timepieces like Omega far surpass the quality and experience of budget or mid-level watches. Luxury watches feature higher-grade materials like precious metals and gemstones and are crafted with precision movements for an heirloom-quality investment that will last generations.
Watches come in a variety of types, including mechanical, automatic, and quartz, each with its own distinct advantages. One thing is certain, however: purchasing a known and trusted brand like Omega ensures that you can enjoy a precision tool that also looks great for a lifetime.
Omega’s Legacy of Precision
The Brandt family’s single-minded pursuit of precision timekeeping made the Omega brand a favorite for sporting events. In 1905, Omega was relied upon for 16 sporting events in Switzerland, and in 1909, it timed the dangerous and prestigious Gordon Bennet Cup balloon race. Omega’s presence in sports would only expand over time.
The Omega watch was selected to serve as the official timekeeping device of the Olympics in 1932. Omega has been the official timekeeper for most of the Olympic games held ever since. Omega’s dedication to innovation and precision led to improvements in sports timekeeping from 1/10th of a second in 1932 to 1/1,000th of a second today.
Omega’s Legacy of Style
Not only a precision instrument, the Omega watch is also prized as a statement of impeccable design. In 1925, the Omega watch won the Grand Prize at the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes” in Paris, the birthplace of Art Deco. This launched an age of luxury design for the brand.
James Bond’s association with Omega began with Goldeneye in 1995. Bond, the personification of refinement and reliability, is matched with his equally sophisticated and resilient Omega Seamaster. Bond has relied upon his distinctive timepiece in each of his subsequent missions in the 007 franchise.
Stars and influencers from every corner recognize the excellence of the Omega watch. The timepieces can be spotted on a number of Hollywood elites, athletes, and scientists. The brand ambassador program includes several high-profile individuals from many disciplines.
Omega Celebrity Brand Ambassadors:
- George Clooney, actor
- Nicole Kidman, actress
- Daniel Craig, actor
- Kaia Gerber, model
- Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer
- Rory McIlroy, PGA golfer
- Victor Vescovo, explorer
Omega’s Legacy of Reliability
From its beginnings, the Omega brand has sought to be on the cutting edge of technological improvements to reliable timekeeping. In 1956, the Omega Seamaster was strapped to the hull of a Canadian Airways aircraft and flown from Canada to Amsterdam. After 9 hours of harsh exposure, the piece was found to be working as well as it had prior to takeoff. The tests would only get more extreme from here.
In 1965, NASA tested four watch brands to near destruction. Only one survived: the Omega Speedmaster. The Speedmaster is still the only watch certified by NASA and other international space agencies for extravehicular activity. In 1969, this watch was used by astronauts on the Apollo 11 mission to the moon and was known thereafter as the “Moonwatch.”
Today, the rise of wireless technology and magnetic interference has created a quieter but equally daunting challenge for mechanical watches. Omega’s co-axial 8508 escapement is anti-magnetic to more than 15,000 gauss, making it one the most highly rated on the market today.
How to Choose an Omega Watch
Omega watches are known for their award-winning precision and shocking durability, and they also come in designs to fit any lifestyle. An alligator-leather strap and Sedna gold case on the Omega Prestige create the perfect accent for a professional wardrobe. For the outdoor adventurer, consider the Omega Seamaster with chronometer and laser-ablated topographic map with 24-hour indication.
Your local jeweler can explain the various features available in Omega watches. At Fink’s Jewelers, our knowledgeable staff would be happy to guide you in selecting a timepiece that you will enjoy for life—whether it takes you to the boardroom or the top of the world.
Omega Watch Styles
The Omega watch brand stands for excellence, and it is available in an array of styles to suit any preference. Selecting a watch is highly personal and depends upon your unique prioritization of the various features and functions of a luxury timepiece. Omega’s four primary watch lines are available in both men’s and women’s styles and in various metals from stainless steel to gold. Omega watches are grouped into four families:
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Constellation: The Constellation Collection, introduced in 1952 with a nod to the stars and Omega’s dedication to precision timekeeping, features claws on the bezel and an integrated bracelet design.
- De Ville: Created in 1967 as a robust dress watch collection, the De Ville design features understated elegance for those who prefer traditional styling. The collection includes four subcategories with more defined characteristics: the Ladymatic, the Tresor, the Prestige, and the Tourbillon.
- Speedmaster: The original “Moonwatch” approved by NASA, the Speedmaster continues to appeal to watch enthusiasts and collectors.
- Seamaster: Developed in 1948, the Seamaster is Omega’s robust divers’ watch that can handle the toughest environments. It expertly blends beauty and rugged performance in one sophisticated design – which is why it is the perfect timepiece for James Bond.
More than just a luxury watch, the Omega watch is a testament to good taste, reliability, and forward-thinking. From humble but dedicated beginnings in a small Swiss village to leading our best and bravest to the moon, Omega is known the world over as the timepiece of excellence. Whether you’re considering purchasing your first designer watch or an addition to your luxury timepiece collection, an Omega is an excellent choice.
