Out of the many luxurious brands of watches available to choose from, Omega is near the top of our list for its affordability and precision and durability.
Omega has been among the trendsetters in the industry for years. You might have heard about one of their watches being the first to be on the moon, but do you know their history? In this article, we will be delving into all of the vital information about this excellent brand.
The History of Omega Watches
Omega was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt but was called La Generale Watch Co. At this time, pocket watches were popular, and those created by Brandt became famous for their precision.
His line of watches included a revolutionary production control system that saved time and improved their offerings. Hence, increasing the demand and promoting his name. By 1879, Louis Brandt passed, and his sons Louis-Paul and Cesar took over and continued to produce innovative timepieces that are revered to this day. By 1903, both brothers had passed, and Paul Emilie Brandt took over the company at 23. The name had been expanded to Louis Brandt et Frere- OMEGA Watch & Co. However, the name OMEGA SA was finally introduced in 1982.
Major Watch Models and Their Origin
The OMEGA line of watches features incredibly impressive technological innovations that set them apart from so many.
Below are some of the major OMEGA watch models;
- Constellation: The Constellation series were created to honor the Lockheed Constellation jet (Connie) that helped allied forces attain success in World War 11 (1952). The first sets featured yellow gold, rose gold, and steel and were available in Standard, Deluxe, or Grand Luxe.
- Seamaster Aqua Terra: OMEGA has always been known to have a strong affiliation with sports, and this series is the best for athletes. Used by the U.S Army, NASA Astronauts, the Aqua Terra was introduced in 2002. It was initially introduced with Omega’s caliber 2500 but has since improved over the years.
- Speedmaster: The first Speedmaster watch was released in 1957. Omega had just introduced Ref. CK2915 with impressive chronograph features perfect for auto racing and sports. It was powered by the caliber 321 movement but was subsequently updated in 1959 and 1963. NASA also accepted the Speedmaster series as its choice for all space missions.
Brand Reputation
OMEGA is undoubtedly an innovative commander in the industry and has maintained its reputation for over 100 years. With wristwatches renowned for incredible precision and quality and their affiliation with many movements, it is clear the brand upholds quality and performance. OMEGA watches have less friction and a longer lifespan while being durable and reliable. Also, most of the watches have COSC certification.
The Controle Officiel Suisse Des Chronometers (COSC) test watches by putting movements through multiple paces in different positions. They also carry out testing in extreme temperatures while recording their ability to keep time.
Iconic OMEGA Watches
There are so many impressive watches by OMEGA; however, some of these are iconic. Below are some of the iconic OMEGA watches with historical and cultural significance;
- Omega Ultra-thin wristwatch: This watch was a gift to John F Kennedy in 1960. It featured a 2mm caliber, black strap, and a case of 18-carat gold.
- Speedmaster Professional: This watch is now popularly known as *Moonwatch” after it was worn by Buzz Aldrin to space.
- Omega Ploprof Seamaster: Gianni Agnelli the famous industrialist, made this iconic piece popular. It apparently took four years after he had already had it for this watch to be released.
- Seamaster Professional: Prince William wears a water-resistant Seamaster with a battery-less quartz movement and a blue dial.
- Omega Seamaster: Since 1995 Omega has been the official watch of the James Bond franchise. In each of the 8 subsequent movies Bond has worn a Seamaster, Seamaster Professional of Seamaster Planet Ocean.
New Model Releases
March 2021 saw the release of 13 new watches, several of which were new Seamasters:
- Seamaster 300
- Seamaster Diver 300M Black
- Constellation Small Seconds
- De Ville Trésor Power Reserve
- Seamaster Aqua Terra
Which is the Right Model for you?
The different models of OMEGA watches all feature quality components and precision. However, choosing the best for your lifestyle is important before making a specific purchase.
Below is just a quick breakdown of which model will suit you depending on your lifestyle;
Omega Seamaster
The Seamaster is highly recommended as an everyday watch. It’s water-resistant up to 300M with luminous markers, rotating bezels, and straps made of mainly stainless steel.
Omega Planet Ocean
This model is like an upgrade of the Seamaster, as it is made of ceramic and over 600m water-resistant. It also features Omega’s Super LumiNova glowing material; blue in the dial and green in the hands. Hence, both the Seamaster and Planet Ocean are perfect diving watches.
Omega Railmaster
This model was created specifically for people working closely with electricity. For instance, the Master Chronometer 8806 movement can resist a magnetic field of 15,000 guass, whereas a regular watch can resist just 60 guass. So if you work with electricity, this model is the one for you.
Omega Speedmaster
Released in 1957, this model was crafted for high speed such as the race track. However, it was later tested for high altitudes in space and qualified. Thus making it the choice for space missions by NASA. It’s almost a brand in its own right. This is a great watch for anyone who appreciates the amazing feats of engineering and creativity involved in space exploration.
If you’re interested in an Omega watch for yourself you can always check out our current collection here.
