Omega
Watches
Among the
world of prestige watches only a few have that indefinable quality
that places them among the elite of the elite. Omega is one of
those few.
First
conceived 150 years ago the Omega name has become known world
wide by watch collectors and the common man. Its symbol and
trademark, the highest letter in the Greek alphabet, Omega
is instantly recognizable by millions of people. This symbol
was chosen as the benchmark which Omega wished to achieve,
that of producing the highest quality time pieces available.
Omega
watches have been sported by Olympic athletes for many decades,
and has been designated the official watch of Russian and
US astronauts. In fact Omega timepieces were the ones worn
by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong when man first walked on
the moon. The Omega Speedmaster was also critical in the
successful return of the flight crew on the Apollo 13 mission
when it was used to time the fraction of a second firing
of the rocket necessary for the spacecraft re-entry into
the Earth’s atmosphere. Today it is used on the space
station and has been chosen by NASA for the next 100 space
shuttle flights.
Born as
a small family company Omega is now among the best known
and most popular high quality time pieces on the market.
Omega Replica Watches
- A Brief History
The Omega watch company ‘s
early days began in 1848 when then 23 year old, Louis Brands began developing
and building pocket watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Louis operated
the company for several years traveling throughout Italy, Scandinavia and
England selling his watches.
Upon his death in 1879
the company passed into the hands of his sons, Louis-Paul and Cesar. They
successfully moved the company to Bienne where it retains its operations
base to this day.
Sadly the sons both passed
away in 1903 leaving the business in the hands of four young heirs the oldest
of which was Paul-Emile Brandt who was less than 24 years old at the time.
Paul-Emile, despite his young age, became a strong force in the building
of the brand that is today known as Omega. During his tenure and that of
his successor, Joseph Reiser the Omega Company grew and multiplied to contain
or create some fifty companies.
Difficulties brought on
by the First World War led to the union of Tissot and Omega and eventually
their merger in 1930 under the group SSiH, Geneva. Despite several changes
in name during this period the quality of workmanship and excellence was
maintained and the company built a reputation for providing fine watches.
During World War II became
a well known name in military and pilots watches. Particularly popular were
the Omega Constellation, Speedmaster Chronograph and Seamaster.
Omega has been the official
time piece of 21 Olympic Games and is widely said to be the first watch worn
on the moon by astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Today Omega is known as
one of the highest quality watches in the marketplace. It attracts buyers
who are seeking something beyond the run of the mill watch and its followers
are extremely brand loyal.
The Omega found in the
Greek alphabet symbolizes perfection. The Omega watch brand follows in that
ancient tradition. Each European-made Omega watch is designed with beauty
and technology in mind.
From the Omega Seamaster watch and Omega Speedmaster watch to the Omega Deville
Watch and Omega Constellation lady watch—each comes with its own distinct
look and feel. Brushed steel, polished links, vibrant blue dial and luminous
hands are a few ways to describe watches in these collections.
For years, individuals
have trusted these watches—whether it’s an Omega Speedmaster
watch or an Omega Constellation lady watch. Each prestigious, professional
watch is designed specifically for a man or a woman. All are crafted to fit
the style and look of the individual wearing it. In watch making, the Omega
brand is at the forefront for know-how, design and human achievement. It
has perpetuated the qualities of its Greek name for more than 150 years
Founded in 1848, Omega
watches can be found today in space, at sea, in stadiums, on fashion runways
and evening galas. From the Speedmaster Professional, the only watch worn
on the moon, to the elegant Constellation, Omegas have been the watch of
choice of personalities like Cindy Crawford, Martina Hingis, Ernie Els and
James Bond.
Omega was founded by Louis
Brandt who began his watch assembly workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1880,
Louis Brandt’s sons relocated the plant to the flats of Bienne where
manpower, energy and communication lines were more accessible. The Bienne
company was the first watch enterprise to abandon the assembly workshop system
to produce all of its own parts. The famous Omega 19-line caliber created
in 1894 soon became the firm’s symbol of excellence and the namesake
of the company.
It was Omega in 1970 that
introduced the first Quartz caliber Beta 21, launching the Quartz revolution
in watch making. Omega’s commitment to excellence has earned the company
the privilege of being the official timer of the Olympic Games 21 times and
being designated the official watch of American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts.
In 1965, the Speedmaster
was chosen as the NASA official chronograph, and in 1969, it landed on the
moon attached to the wrist of Neil Armstrong. It helped save the Apollo XIII
mission crew, and for this received the Snoopy Award.
Seven out of 10 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. But excellent quality alone has not built the brand’s
solid reputation.
The saga of Omega starts
from the year 1848 with its founder Louis Brandt who manually assembled hand
watches from parts made in the local La Chaux-de-Fonds. The brand Omega was
launched in 1894 and then came the origin of the vintage collection of Omega,
the Omega constellation watches, the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, the Omega
Seamaster waterproof sports watch, and the Seamaster Diver watches.
In March 1965, Omega's
Speedmaster Chronograph was "flight qualified by NASA for all manned
space missions" and was declared the best watch, which could withstand
the U.S Space agency's severe tests. Apparently, the Speedmaster is the only
watch that has been worn on the moon.
The current Speedmaster
Professional line is enhanced by a version with a scratch-resistant sapphire
crystal and transparent sapphire caseback—revealing the movement that
has inscripted, “The first and only watch worn on the moon.” Well
surely, the person owning this watch would be walking on the moon and clouds
with a lot of pride and prestige.
The Seamaster is a sports
watch, made of resistant materials such as titanium and rubber, plus the
classy touch of gold and steel. Models in fad are the chronographs, regatta
timers, GMT chronometers and – with the elegant Aqua Terra Models – OMEGA’s
revolutionary Co-Axial Chronometer movement.
The Omega Constellation
depicts a contemporary look and is inspired from the Constellation "Manhattan" in
the 1980s. The Constellation line comprises of watches in gold and steel,
or both, for men and women. Different shaped cases and different dial colours
studded with diamonds can get saints to desire.
After the Constellation,
emerged the DeVille series, which became a rage. Discrete dials and new-age
materials, blended with an immaculate style, these watches go beyond the
trends of time. The DeVille watch implemented one of 20 th century's major
horological inventions: the Co- Axial Escapement De Ville Co-Axial. Unique
design and reliable mechanism, made this watch an instant hit.
During the year's 1998-
2000, the Omega Dynamic collection launched watches of alternative styles.
The Constellation 50th
Anniversary watch was unveiled in 2002 and the series included three ladies’ models
and three men’s models in steel or gold, each engraved with the words “Constellation—50
Years” on the caseback. Black, cream and silver dials were embossed
with the Omega logo. The Omega Quadra line of watches, are extraordinarily
worth a look- square designs and sporty accents, this chronograph watch comes
in a variety of models and colors to match the various moods and fancies
of their customers.
The current Omega collection
include Constellation, Seamaster, Seamaster GMT, Chrono Diver, Diver Chronometer,
Racing Chronometer, Aqua Terra Chronometer, Apnea, Aqua Terra Railmaster,
X-33, Speedmaster Professional, Moon Phase, Broad Arrow, Legend, and De Ville
Co-Axial Power Reserve.
There is a Specialty Collection
too, which come in jewelry, museum, skeleton and tourbillon styles. Each
of these styles are exquisite and unique. Each of the models and styles has
numerous specifications and wonderful looking, gem embedded cases. Yellow,
white and red gold are the main Omega dial colours and the watches are aesthetically
touched with the tinge of gold and steel. The watches for ladies are elegant
and graceful, and make for a perfect dress watch. The watches for the men
folk are rugged, classy, sturdy, and majestic, which definitely do not fail
to make an impression.
Did you know that each
and every Omega watch undergoes extreme tests, so that it can be stamped
an OMEGA watch? Each new model is tested on the wrist as well as in the lab
for temperature, shock and vibration resistance. These testing methods challenge
the stability of the bracelet, dial, hands, case and internal movement. Only
those that survive the testing process make their way onto the wrists of
the celebrities and public.
Official Omega ambassadors
include, Cindy Crawford, Nicole Kidman, and Michael Schumacher. Well, believe
them or no, believe Timecafe — Omega is outstanding!
