The Ever Popular Omega Watch

Omega is a luxury watchmaker based out of Switzerland whose products are world-renowned for their beauty and superior quality. Founded at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1848 by Louis Brandt, Omega is worn by some of the most influential people. Presidents, actors and popular icons are regularly seen adorning their wrists with Omega watches. Louis Brandt initially purchased parts for his key-wound precision pocket watches from local crafstman. After his death, however, his two sons felt an in-house manufacturing process would produce higher quality merchandise. This would serve as the beginning of Omega's prominence. It was only a short amount of time later that the enterprise became an industry standard.

Both of Brandt's sons, Louis-Paul and César, passed away in 1903 bequeathing their Omega empire to four youths (the oldest being 23). At this time, 240,000 watches were produced each year by a staff of 800. The new owners, despite their youth, continued to expand the company and by the seventies, it had become the third producer of finished watches in the world (and number one in Switzerland). Unfortunately, Omega faced severe financial problems during the economic recession between 1975 and 1980 and had to be bailed out in 1981. There were talks of a potential buy out from Seiko, a competing watch manufacturer, but nothing came to fruition. Instead, after years of financial restructuring and company mergers, the Swatch Group was formed in 1998 and is now the sole manufacturer of Omega and other watch brands.

In 1999, Omega unveiled their first mass-produced watch that incorporated co-axial escapement. Escapement is a mechanism that converts rotational motion into an oscillating or back and forth motion (it is the "ticking" sound produced by watches). Co-axial escapement requires little to no lubrication and uses radial friction (as opposed to sliding) that yields a longer service period and greater time accuracy.

The Omega watch has always been a well-made commodity. The "Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronography," for example, was the first watch on the moon. NASA used these hand wound wristwatches in the 1960s - a testament to the stellar design and function of the Omega brand. Perhaps the most popular and recognizable iconography came with James Bond. In 1995 Pierce Brosnan, who reprised the role of James Bond, wore the Omega Seamaster Quartz Professional in GoldenEye and, in later films, the Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer. The elegance of this accessory was a great addition to the character that made a transition from operative to chic sophisticate.

True to form and functionality, Omega has also been the official timekeeper for the Olympics. It began with the 1932 Summer Olympics and was subsequently selected for the 2006, 2008, and 2010 games as well. It is not unusual to see many Olympians sporting Omega as it the quintessential symbol of class.

Omega is offered in a variety of models for both men and women. The product range is categorized by The Constellation, Omega Seamaster, Speedmaster, Deville and Specialities. The most popular models are the Omega Seamaster, which includes the Planet Ocean, Ploprof, Aqua Terra and Seamaster Bond styles, and the Speedmaster, which includes the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moon watch. The Sepcialities include Olympic collections and refer to some other seasonal items.

Omega watches are a world-class accessory. The superior quality and brand standard always make this watch a recognizable statement.

The Ever Popular Omega Watch