Black Dial, Case, and Strap OMEGA Speedmaster Next to a Stainless Steel OMEGA Seamaster with Diamond Numbers on a Purple and Black Background.

 

Since 1932, OMEGA has been the first company chosen as the official record timekeeper for the Olympic Games. OMEGA has 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 of 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 wealthy 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 or not? Let’s dive deep into why we think you should:

 

OMEGA’s Wealthy History

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.

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. After the success of their second calibre, the company renamed itself OMEGA.

Apollo 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. It would become the first watch on the moon during his Apollo 11 mission.

The OMEGA brand was also around for many 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 90 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 as part of James Bond’s attire in the first 007 film, GoldenEye, in 1995. In the decades proceeding, 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 visit more than 300 OMEGA boutiques throughout the world.

Black Dial with Two Subdials, Black Case, Black Leather Strap Timepiece on a Black Leather Background.Black Dial with Two Subdials, Black Case, Black Leather Strap Timepiece on a Black Leather Background.
OMEGA Speedmaster, Dark Side of the Moon, Reference #1021

An OMEGA Timeline

  • • 1892: The OMEGA brand produced the world’s first minute-repeating wristwatch. It chimed the hours and minutes on demand.

  • • 1925: The Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris awarded OMEGA with the Grand Prize.

  • • 1932: OMEGA becomes the first watchmaker to time an entire Olympic Games. They also introduced their first divers watch, The Marine.

  • • 1947: Watchmakers create one of the world's first tourbillon wristwatch movements.

  • • 1948: The OMEGA brand created the Seamaster to withstand any altitude.

  • • 1955: OMEGA launched the Ladymatic, their first ladies' automatic wristwatch.

  • • 1957: OMEGA introduced its professional line of watches: The Speedmaster, the Seamaster 300, and the Railmaster.

  • • 1960: John F. Kennedy receives an engraved OMEGA from his friend Grant Stockdale, which he wore during his inauguration. The caseback reads PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES JOHN F. KENNEDY FROM HIS FRIEND GRANT.

  • • 1962: Astronaut Wally Schirra wears his Speedmaster to space.

  • • 1981: Jacques Mayol took a record-breaking freedive of 101 meters on a single breath. She wore an OMEGA Seamaster.

  • • 1993: A Speedmaster spent an entire year in space, and it was still in perfect working condition.

  • • 2011: OMEGA becomes the official Timekeeper and Patron of the PGA of America Gold Tournaments.

  • • 2019: A museum opens to bring the brand’s story to life with immersive movies and fun interactive experiences. There is also a walkthrough exploration of the world of James Bond.

  • • 2022: OMEGA celebrates 90 years of Olympic timing.
    • Blue Dial, Stainless Steel Case, and Bracelet Timepiece Displayed on a C-Ring with a White Background.Blue Dial, Stainless Steel Case, and Bracelet Timepiece Displayed on a C-Ring with a White Background.
    OMEGA Seamaster - Reference #22558000

    Is the Speedmaster or Seamaster for you?

    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. They produce 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 dive watches. 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 their bezels. They 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.

    Black Dial, Black Bezel, and Stainless Steel Bracelet Displayed on a C-Ring on a Dark Background with Text Written in White.Black Dial, Black Bezel, and Stainless Steel Bracelet Displayed on a C-Ring on a Dark Background with Text Written in White.
    OMEGA Speedmaster

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

    The OMEGA brand is still one of the most influential brands in the luxury watch industry. So, of course, I’m going to say now is a GREAT time to purchase an OMEGA watch with Avi & Co. We have a great collection of OMEGA timepieces perfect for all of your needs.

    Whether you shop in New Yok City, Miami, or online, our team will assist you with quality customer service. However, everyone’s time is different. You must purchase when you and you alone are ready.

    Don't forget to share your favorite OMEGA timepiece in the comments below!