THE Pre OMEGA ERA
In 1848 the amazing and passionate Louis Brandt took a very small first step into OMEGA empire with the opening of a small workshop in La Chaux- de-Fonds in the Swiss countryside.
In 1879 Louis Brandt dies and the family business passed to his sons Louis Paul and Cesar, they were the ones that took Omega to its next new era creating the empire that we all now know.
In 1880 Omega is moving to Bienne in 119 Route De Boujean that till now is considered as its home. Five years later in 1885 the two brothers is launching the first series of caliber, ” The Labrator”. This technical breakthrough gave the opportunity to Omega to shine like a true star in the watch industry.
In 1892 the first minute repeater came to life by the famous Brandt’s, recreating the pocket watches mechanism into a fine high end wrist watch.
THE OMEGA ERA
1894 was the most important year in the history of OMEGA as it is when OMEGA is actually born through their new extremely accurate new Caliber called OMEGA. It was not only extremely accurate but every component could be replaced by any watchmaker. This new era brought OMEGA to becoming in less than a decade one of the most important watch companies globally.
1905 SPORTS ERA
OMEGA started its official presence in sports, only in 1905 was the official timekeeper for 16 sports events globally as the only choice in terms of accuracy and precision. Two of the main characteristics of OMEGA from the launch of OMEGA Caliber.
1909 gone GLOBAL
In 1909 they are deciding to expand its network globally including six more continents in its expansion strategy. Its amazing watches are becoming a global hit instantly.
1925 ART DECO
In 1925 the first ART DECO series is launched and gets its first award at the ” Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes” in Paris. Its unique timepieces stands out for the amazing and colorful design and special patterns.
1931 RECOGNITION YEAR
In 1931 OMEGA celebrated its unique positioning in the watch industry with a unique award that celebrated the company’s excellence in precision and accuracy. OMEGA chronometer managed to pass 6 out of 6 test in accuracy and set new standards to the industry.
FIRST AUTOMATIC MOVEMENT
It is the second time that OMEGA set the global standards in the watch industry as it prototyped the first automatic movement that used two weights, enabling winding in both directions. This had as a result improving in the most drastic way the winding and later on automatic movement that later on was perceived as the standard in the watch industry.
1932 MARINE
OMEGA is introducing the first watch for divers that was tested in Geneva lake and proved to be waterproof in 73 meters depth and becoming the choice of many divers.
1937 MEDICURE or THE NURSES WATCH
The first watch ever featuring a second big hand that was easy to read, also known as the “nurses watch” as a lot of medical staff was using it due to this special characteristic.
1946 TUBOGAS
In 1946 TUBOGASS was presented, using for the first time pink gold and launching them originally for the French market. Its Parisian designer Maison Brandt Freres with its tubogass bracelet that the model was named after was the most amazing add in the companys Art Deco collection.
1947 FIRST TOURBILLON MOVEMENT
OMEGA once more was ahead of its time as in 1947 is creating the first Tourbillon movement, a quite complex mechanism that was able to eliminate gravity
1948 SEAMASTER
In 1948 following its history in diving watches launching the really successful for the brand SEAMASTER collection that could overcome every challenge the ocean was bringing. Due to its reliability, accuracy and water resistance
1952 CONSTELLATION
In 1952 Constellation is introduced, named after the eight stars representing the eight precision records omega set at the Geneva Observatory and Kew Teddington.
1955 LADYMATIC
In 1955 Ladymatic is presented the first automatic and compact ladies watch, its movement was the smallest automatic movement.
1957 PROFFESIONAL LINE (Speedmaster, Seamaster and Railmaster)
Three iconic watches launched in 1957, the Speedmaster, the Seamaster 300 and the Railmaster. Its is important to note that is also know as The Moonwatch due to its collaboration with NASA in 1962 where astronaut Wally Schirra performed his flight in space with Mercury Sigma 7 wearing his amazing Speedmaster. Three years later in 1965 the only watch that took NASA Cerification was the Speedmaster.
1967 DE VILLE
in 1967 it is launched a simple version of Seamaster the De Ville, combining all the technical characteristic of Seamaster in a simpler version.
1970 Snoopy Award
NASA awarded the SNOOPY AWARD for the outstanding performance of the Moon watch, after this amazing watch in the years to come launched bOmega Speedmaster Professional “Silver Snoopy Award” for its 50th Anniversary 310.32.42.50.02.001 and in 2023 in Collaboration with Swatch, is naming one of the watches “Snoopy”.
1997 JAMES BOND
In 1997 Tomorrow Never Dies, James Bond is wearing a Seamaster Diver 300M.
1999 Co Axial
In 1999 the inventor George Daniels is developing Co- Axial, the new watch from Rolex that uses smaller contact surfaces and produces less frictions.
2010 LADYMATIC
In 2010 Ladymatic returns back in production with a new Co-Axial movement
Want to learn more about Rolex History? Check out our article that describes how everything started.
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