Brand Overview
Omega is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer founded by Louis Brandt, who assembled his first pocket watch nearly 160 years ago. Omega has since continued to development and has now become a parent corporation to several companies, including a fine jewelry branch. During the last 50 years, Omega watches have also been to the moon and have regularly appeared in James Bond movies on Bond's wrist.
Brand History
The history of Omega started in 1848 when Louis Brandt assembled his first watch in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. He was only 23 when his first watch was ready. After founding the company, Brandt traveled throughout Europe, opening new markets for his watches.
After Brandt died in 1879, the company was overtaken by Brandt's two sons Louis-Paul and Cesar. What the latter two did was moving the headquarters of the company and the manufacture to Bienne. In fact the manufacture is still on the same place.
In 1903 both brothers died and the enterprise has passed to four young grandsons of the founder. Paul-Emile Brandt stood out amongst the four, because it is his accomplishment that the brand became a famous watch-making holding, which consists of almost fifty smaller companies.
When the First World War struck Omega had encountered a series of problems, just like many other enterprises. In order to withstand those problems after the war in 1930 Omega took the decision to merge with another Swiss watchmaker - Tissot?. This partnership resulted in the creation of the new SSiH Group in Geneva.
With the World War II Omega watches became rather popular among military men and pilots. Such models as Constellation, Seamaster and Speedmaster Chronograph have proven to suit perfectly the military men.
A very important fact in the history of Omega is that it is the only watch brand, which has already timed 22 Olympic Games. In 2012 Omega will time the 25th Olympic game in the brand's history. This year will also mark 80 years since Omega has become the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, which took place in Los Angeles.
There is another impressive fact in the history of Omega watches: the Omega Speedmaster Professional is the only watch to make 6 round-trips to the Moon and in 1969 it has visited the moon. It has also assisted the astronauts of all the Apollo missions, from Apollo 7 to the last Apollo 17 and its commander and Omega ambassador Eugene Cernan.
Today Omega enjoys the support of great stars of Hollywood, sports and movies. The best known secret agent James Bond is probably the most famous among ambassadors of Omega. However, people not less famous wear Omega watches. Among them Nicole Kidman, Michael Schumacher, recently the new James Bond - Daniel Craig, Michael Phelps, Ian Thorpe, Alexander Popov, Cindy Crawford and many others.
Along with TAG Heuer, Omega is probably the best known Swiss watch brand to produce sport watches.
Recent Collections
The most famous collections from Omega are the Seamaster and the Speedmaster. These two collections are so popular because almost every series of James Bond movie features a model of Seamaster and Neil Armstrong has landed on the Moon, while wearing a Speedmaster Professional. The Speedmaster Collection is also the choice of 7 times Formula One? World Champion Michael Schumacher?.
The two other collections of Omega watches are Constellation and De Ville. These two collections feature both ladies' and men's watches. There are also a series of Specialities, also for men and for women. There are plenty of watches to choose from.
Omega watches are to be found all around the world. Omega boutiques are situated mostly in Europe, but there are also boutiques in Mexico, in USA (California, Beverly Hills); Asian countries have many Omega boutiques too. Recently Omega has opened its newest boutique in Moscow - first one in Russia.
See also
External Links
The Choice of Michael Schumacher
Category
Owner: "lavrov" Last edited on November 30, 2006 7:41 am by "lavrov"
