8 Interesting Facts About Omega Watches

1. TIME FOR LIFE

Ever since it’s foundation Omega has been on the quest to achieve the best in precision, quality, design and innovation. At the beginning of twentieth century many watch manufacturers engaged in watch competitions and trials. These events lead to a rapid development in the industry. At the 1931 Geneva Observatory event, Omega received first prize in all six categories. The company has been catapulted to the top of watchmaking world and Omega adopted a slogan “Omega-Exact Time For Life”.

 

2. THE CO-AXIAL ESCAPEMENT

The Co-Axial escapement movement has been invented by English watchmaker George Daniels. Omega was the first company who in 1999 launched Caliber 2500, successfully putting the co-axial escapement into large-scale production. In 2007, Omega has launched an updated version, the Caliber 8500, an amazing movement with the low friction, high mechanical efficiency and exceptional performance. All Omega watches with the Co-Axial Caliber 8500 are COSC-certified chronometers.

 

3. OMEGA CONQUERS MAGNETISM

Hi levels of magnetism always posed a problem for mechanical watches. In 2013 Omega came out with the very unconventional solution to this problem, creating the first movement that was capable of resisting magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss. You see most anti-magnetic watches utilize a soft iron inner case to eliminate the effect of magnetism. Omega’s approach was different; the company designed a new movement, in which the components were made of non-ferrous materials, providing far greater resistance to magnetic fields and eliminating the need for the inner case. In 2015, Omega released its innovative movement in a brand new model, the Omega Globemaster. Since then, the brand went on to incorporate the new movement in other Omega watches.

 

4. OMEGA AND SPACE

For well over half a century, the OMEGA Speedmaster has witnessed events that have tested the limits of physical endurance and human courage. It’s the only piece of equipment used in all of NASA’s piloted space missions from Gemini to the current International Space Station program. When Buzz Aldrin stepped on the lunar surface in 1969, he was wearing a Speedmaster Professional, the chronograph that has been known as the Moonwatch ever since. That’s why Speedmaster Professional Chronograph earned a unique place in the history of space exploration.

 

5. OMEGA AND THE SEA

Omega is the first luxury watch brand to produce and commercially distribute dive watches. The Omega Seamaster, launched in 1948 is the oldest line of dive watches that is still in production today. Seamaster became an icon and important watch for Omega – especially as the brand continued to focus on a range of important high-intensity activities from racing to diving, and everything else where sturdy and reliable watches are needed.

 

6. OMEGA AND OLYMPICS

When in 1931, at Geneva Observatory event, Omega won first place in six categories, the International Olympic Committee took a serious notice of watch company. Omega has been offered to become an official timekeeper for 1932 Olympic games in Los Angeles. After more than 90 years of the partnership with the International Olympic Committee, Omega is still an official timekeeper of Olympics.

 

7. BOND WATCH

Since 1995, world premiere of Golden Eye, the Omega became the James Bond watch of choice. The film featured Omega Seamaster Quartz Professional worn by Pierce Brosnan. In 2013, Omega celebrated the 50th anniversary of James Bond with the release of a special edition timepiece, Seamaster Diver 300M, called the James Bond 50th Anniversary Collector’s Piece. In the past 20 years, Bond movie series featured many Omega watches including: Seamaster Planet Ocean and Seamaster Professional 300M.

 

8. OMEGA AND CELEBRITIES

For the past 80 years, politicians, astronauts, music and movie stars chose Omega as their watch. Stars like Ringo Starr, Elvis Presley, and Buddy Holly were frequently seen wearing Omega watches. U.S. President John F. Kennedy wore an Omega during his presidential inauguration in January 1961. Mikhail Gorbachev, the president of Russia, has been seen wearing Omega.