Omega Watches
Today, seven out of ten people throughout
the world are familiar with the OMEGA watch brand - a truly amazing rate of awareness to
which few other watch brands can lay claim. The reason behind this success is said to be
the reliably fine quality of every OMEGA watch. From its modest beginnings in La
Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848 the assembly workshop created by 23-year-old Louis Brandt gradually
gained renown. Louis Brandt assembled key-wound precision pocket watches from parts
supplied by local craftsmen. After Louis Brandt's death in 1879, his two sons Louis-Paul
and Cesar took over control of the business.
Louis-Paul and César Brandt both died in 1903, leaving one of Switzerland's largest watch
companies - with 240,000 watches produced annually and employing 800 people - in the hands
of four young people, the oldest of whom was Paul-Emile Brandt. The economic difficulties
brought on by the First World War would lead him to work actively from 1925 toward the
union of OMEGA and Tissot then to their merger in 1930 within the group SSIH. By the
seventies, SSIH had become Switzerland's no 1 producer of finished watches and no 3 in the
world. The severe monetary crisis and recession of 1975 to 1980, SSIH was bailed out by
the banks in 1981. In 1985 the holding company was taken over by a group of private
investors. Immediately renamed SMH, Societe suisse de microelectronique et d'horlogerie,
the new group achieved rapid growth and success to become today's top watch producer in
the world. Named Swatch Group in 1998, it now includes Blancpain and Breguet. Dynamic and
flourishing, OMEGA remains one of its most prestigious flagship brands.
1st March 1965 - OMEGA's Speedmaster chronograph was "flight-qualified by NASA for
all manned space missions" as the only wristwatch to have withstood all of the U.S.
space agency's severe tests. On 21 July 1969 - 02:56 GMT, the Speedmaster records man's
first steps on the Moon's surface. The Speedmaster became the first watch (and the only
watch since) to be worn on the Moon. With this unique accomplishment came a unique
nickname: the Moon Watch. April 1970 - the OMEGA Speedmaster rescued the Apollo 13 mission
from a potential disaster, earning OMEGA the "Snoopy Award".
1948 saw the advent of the Seamaster, Seamaster 300 in 1957, In 1981, the newly launched
Seamaster 120 set a new world free dive record at a depth of 101 metres. The Seamaster is
also famous for being the choice watch for James Bond.
On 1st March 1965, OMEGA's Speedmaster chronograph was "flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions" as the only wristwatch to have withstood all of the U.S. space agency's severe tests under conditions of zero gravity and magnetic fields, extreme shocks, vibrations and temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius.
The greatest moment in the Speedmaster's history was undoubtedly 20 July 1969 at 02:56 GMT, when it recorded man's first steps on the Moon's surface. The Apollo 11 mission was a milestone in history and the Speedmaster became the first watch (and the only watch since) to be worn on the Moon. With this unique accomplishment came a unique nickname: the Moon Watch.
In April 1970, the OMEGA Speedmaster rescued the Apollo 13 mission from
a potential disaster, earning OMEGA the "Snoopy Award", the highest distinction
awarded by the NASA astronauts.
In another historical event, the Speedmaster was worn on the wrists of both the American
astronaut Tom Stafford and the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic
Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous. This was the first time the cosmonauts also wore the OMEGA
Speedmaster.
Ever since, the Speedmaster has been the official chronograph of all Russian manned space
missions.
The Movement
Omega has a long tradition and considerable expertise in manufacturing movements.
Therefore, special attention is given to the development of new movements to continue
Omega's history.
The new Co-Axial movement was developed in conjunction with renowned master watchmaker Dr.
George Daniels and our engineers. Following several years of development work, the
movement was rigorously tested and the first limited series was launched in 1999. The new
De Ville Co-Axial collection was presented in 2001.
The Case
The case is one of the key points in developing a new model in terms of design and
technology. Special attention is therefore paid to its development: as soon as our
designers start to create the watch case as a 3D version on their computer, our engineers
are involved, since the dimensions of the case are determined by the size of the movement.
The technical development can be carried out at the same time, since the design and the
technical development software are compatible.
Dial and Hands
From the start of the development period, prototypes of the dial and hands are produced to
give a better impression of the look and the technological requirements for these parts.
The Bracelet
Omega bracelets meet the latest technological and aesthetic criteria within the watch
industry. Another important factor is the comfort of the bracelet when worn on the wrist
which is ensured by the fine finishing of the Omega bracelets. Special attention was paid
to the development of the original De Ville bracelet.
The design inspiration came from a 1952 Omega bracelet. The new bracelet represented a
particular challenge for our Technical Development department, since it is composed of
numerous movable links with contrasting satin and polished finishes.
How do I find out more about my current or vintage OMEGA ?
OMEGA keeps excellent records on all the watches they have made. As of March 2004, OMEGA has added an outstanding feature on their official website. Their new OMEGA Vintage Information Database allows you to, after a brief registration, look up a lot of details on vintage models. While the initial release of the database is still being filled in with details, the listings are not totally comprehensive. But this is a tremendous leap in customer service which OMEGA deserves high commendation for!
The most readily available piece of inforamtion to identify your watch is its serial number. On most current and recent OMEGA watches, the serial number is on the outside of the watch. Often it is on either the back of the watch or on the back of the lug (the protrusions used to attach a strap or bracelet) closest to the 7 o'clock position. Also, recent models include the serial number on a sticker on the outside of the white pasteboard 'presentation box.' But be sure to double check it--occasionally the white outer box lids get accidentally swapped at the store before you buy the watch.
On older OMEGA watches, you may need a jeweler to open the watch to read the serial number off of either the movement or the inside of the back of the case. Either way, make sure the number you record is 8-digits long, otherwise you may have recorded something besides the serial number.
Any numbers or identification marks on the bracelet of the watch are not part of the model or serial number of the watch. Such markings on the bracelet only identify the bracelet. Watch serial numbers must be on more permanent parts of the watch--such as the case, the case back. or the movement inside the watch.
OMEGA does not stamp model numbers on their watches. Model numbers are subject to change, can be different in different countries, and vary based on dealer swappable parts such as bracelets and straps. So a model number is not a permanent identifier of a watch. But any serial number can be looked up to see what model number the completed watch left the factory as.
Once you have the serial number, go to the official OMEGA website at www.omegawatches.com and select their CUSTOMER SERVICE section. From there select the "VALUE A WATCH" feature and follow the instructions.