Is Now a Good Time to Purchase an OMEGA watch?

Since 1932, OMEGA has been the official record timekeeper for the Olympic Games – they are the first and only company to ever hold this position. OMEGA watches have been strapped to the wrists of celebrities such as Daniel Craig, Eddie Redmayne, David Beckham, and Zoë Kravitz. Not only does the suave spy James Bond himself wear OMEGA, but this phenomenal brand has even been to space!

It takes an impressive 500 hours to produce a single timepiece. The OMEGA Chrono Chime Speedmaster is the most complicated watch produced by the brand. It shows a minute repeater that chimes a chronograph’s elapsed time and costs $500,544.

We love OMEGA because it's the deepest dive watch and it’s the perfect entry choice into the luxury watch world. Not only that, but it has a rich history that began 175 years ago. OMEGA is pretty much a celebrity on its own.

Are you still unsure whether this is a good time to purchase an OMEGA watch? Let’s dive a little deeper into why we think you should...

The story of OMEGA watches begins in 1848, when 23-year-old Louis Brandt opened a small watchmaking business in the Swiss village of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Developing the most accurate watches was Louis' passion. After his death, the company (originally called Louis Brandt) moved to the town of Biel/Bienne. This would eventually become the official home of OMEGA.

In 1885, Louis’ two sons, Louis-Paul and Cesar, launched their first successful calibre, Le Labrador. This allowed the company to effectively expand. The calibre had superb timing results. Its name? Omega! After the success of their second caliber, the company renamed itself OMEGA after their hit product.

Since the 1800s, OMEGA has been constantly making history. Another big milestone for the brand occurred in 1969, when NASA launched a program to land humans on the moon and bring them back. The OMEGA Speedmaster was the only watch brand that passed all of NASA’s extreme tests. Tests included high temperatures, gravity changes, and high pressure. In 1969, Buzz Aldrin wore the Speedmaster when he stepped onto the moon’s surface. It would become the first watch on the moon during his Apollo 11 mission.

The OMEGA brand was also around for many other groundbreaking expeditions, including accompanying a man to the north pole in 1968. To determine the exact location, Ralph Plaisted and three others wore OMEGA Speedmaster watches. They traveled 412 miles, a 43-day trek.

Arved Fuchs and Reinhold Messner explored the same mission but to the south pole in 1990. Their OMEGA Speedmaster was their timekeeper during their 1,740-mile walk, 90-day journey.

For nearly 100 years, OMEGA has been the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. Different brands made chronographs in the past, resulting in many inconsistencies. OMEGA, however, developed vital equipment that athletes could rely on.

OMEGA began its career in film as part of James Bond’s attire in the first 007 film, GoldenEye, in 1995. In the decades that followed, the OMEGA Seamaster continued to accompany Bond on his action-packed missions. OMEGA ambassador Daniel Craig, the latest James Bond actor, frequently wears the brand on and off the screen.

“It’s been a joy for me to work with OMEGA in all the films since Casino Royale. James Bond is a character who likes the very best of everything. So, it’s always made sense that he would wear something as beautiful and trustworthy as an OMEGA.” – Daniel Craig

Today, people can shop for OMEGA watches at more than 300 boutiques around the world – however, if you are looking for a particular OMEGA watch that is vintage or hard to find, consider trusted secondary market resellers like Avi & Co.

You should determine what features are most significant to you when selecting an OMEGA to include in your collection. What part of OMEGA’s rich history is most impressive to you? What kind of aesthetics are you looking for and how do you want your overall watch collection to look?

Both the OMEGA Speedmaster and the OMEGA Seamaster are premier Swiss-manufactured pieces with historical and contemporary value. Both saw popularity in the 1960s: the Speedmaster because it was the first watch worn to the moon and the Seamaster because of its association with James Bond. The company produces each model with high-grade stainless steel and sapphire crystals, making them luxurious and sturdy pieces.

OMEGA introduced the Seamaster in 1948. While both models have similar price points, the Seamaster can be a bit pricier because of its robust diving features and specs. The most popular model is the Planet Ocean. Collectors love it because the case is larger, it has more water resistance, and it’s more polished.

Introduced in 1957, the Speedmaster has a racing aesthetic with tachymeters on its bezel. These watches also have multiple subdials for timekeeping. A versatile timepiece with great legibility, watch aficionados fascinated by space and ocean exploration will thoroughly enjoy this timepiece. If you’re looking for an iconic timepiece that’s less flashy, the Speedmaster should be your go-to.

OMEGA is a perfect entry point into the luxury watch world. OMEGA creates high-end watches, even though its prices aren't as high as those associated with Richard Mille or Patek Philippe. OMEGA produces just over 240,000 watches every year, just a fraction of Rolex's one million. The scarcity of these watches only serves to significantly increase their worth.

Additionally, the brand’s robust history and numerous record-breaking adventures has added to its prestige. OMEGA’s associations with the moon landing, President John F. Kennedy, and the Olympics all add to its value, making these timepieces excellent places to invest your hard-earned cash. OMEGA Speedmaster watches, in particular, tend to hold their value over time, making this a treasured piece you can pass down for generations to come.

Modern-day celebrities who sport OMEGA watches also contribute to the stable value of this brand’s timepieces. With recognizable faces like Nicole Kidman, Prince William, Tom Hanks, Cindy Crawford, and many others wearing these show-stopping watches, they remain coveted on the secondary market and hold onto resale value, meaning you may be able to trade in your OMEGA watch one day for an even more expensive piece.

The OMEGA brand remains one of the most influential brands in the luxury watch industry. It is never a bad time to buy an OMEGA watch, especially when you are shopping on the secondary market from trusted resellers like Avi & Co. We have a great collection of OMEGA timepieces perfect for all of your needs.

Stop into one of Avi & Co.’s three luxury showrooms, conveniently located in Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen, Colorado. Or shop for OMEGA watches online through our user-friendly website! No matter where your home base is, our experienced team members will guide you through the process of finding the ideal OMEGA watch for your wrist.

Schedule an appointment today to visit us in person – and don't forget to share your favorite OMEGA timepiece in the comments below!