Omega's collection of classic watches. Introducing the types of collections and popular models

Omega is a long-established luxury watch brand with over 170 years of history. How did this Swiss-born brand achieve its current popularity? This time, we'll explore the history of four iconic collections. We'll also introduce some carefully selected popular models.

OMEGA's charm captivates people of all ages and genders around the world

　Omega was founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and has a long history spanning over 170 years, dating back to 1848.

　The watch workshop started by the founder, Louis Brandt, was taken over by his two sons after his death and moved from the small village to the larger town of Bienne. By moving to a new location, it became possible to manufacture watches on a larger scale than before.

　In 1894, the company released the 19-line "Caliber 19," which quickly gained popularity around the world. The high praise it received led to the brand being renamed "Omega Watch."

　Omega has four main collections, each of which boasts iconic popularity. Each collection also has its own branch, with numerous smaller collections branching out, making the wide range of products a major attraction.

　Omega watches are so durable and functional that they are used as official equipment by NASA. In addition to being certified as the Swiss Official Chronometer (COSC) by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), they have also passed tests by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) and been certified as a Master Chronometer.

　Not only are Omega's watches visually appealing, but their high level of precision as watches is also a reason why they have been so popular around the world for such a long time.

OMEGA's signature collection

　As mentioned above, Omega has four main collections. We will introduce the characteristics and appeal of each collection along with their history.

Speedmaster

　This is one of Omega's iconic collections, part of the "Master Trilogy." There are various theories, but it is said that production began in January 1957 and it went on sale the following year, in 1958.

　The Speedmaster was based on the Seamaster 300, which was released in 1957 and boasted a water resistance of 300m. The Speedmaster inherited the Seamaster's excellent water resistance, shock resistance, and magnetic resistance, and was developed as a professional model for motorsports.

　The Speedmaster was originally created as a racing watch, but its legibility and durability were so well-received that it was adopted as NASA's official equipment in 1965. In 1969, it landed on the moon with Apollo 11, making headlines around the world, earning it the title of Moonwatch.

Seamaster

　Along with the Speedmaster, which has the title of Moonwatch, the Seamaster is one of Omega's most iconic models. It is also counted as one of the "Master Trilogy."

　In 1940, during World War II, Omega focused on manufacturing highly durable watches, and in 1948 released the Speedmaster, based on the square waterproof watch "Marine."

　When you think of the Seamaster, many people will think of James Bond, the protagonist of the 007 film series. Since the 1995 release of GoldenEye, the Seamaster has appeared in every film, earning it the nickname "Bond Watch."

　The idea for Bond to wear the watch came from Lindy Hemming, the costume designer at the time, who had an acquaintance who was a naval officer and wore a Seamaster, and suggested that a Seamaster with a blue dial would be suitable for Bond, a British gentleman.

コンステレーション

　The Constellation is characterized by a star at the 6 o'clock position and an observatory on the case back. The name means "constellation" in English.

　The first Constellation, Omega's first automatic watch, was born in 1952. While the Seamaster and Speedmaster, which are Omega's flagship models, have a sporty and masculine design, the Constellation has a dressy and formal feel.

　At the time, competitions to test the accuracy of watches were held at observatories around the world, providing an opportunity for watch manufacturers to showcase the high level of precision and further promote their brand.

　The relief on the Constellation's caseback features stars and observatories representing eight records for "precision."

De Ville

　The De Ville was released in 1960. It was originally developed within the Seamaster line, but became an independent collection in 1967. "De Ville" means "city" or "town" in French.

　The most distinctive feature of De Ville is the variety of designs. While the other collections also have various sub-collections, they all share a common design.

　On the other hand, the De Ville collection does not share many commonalities in design, and instead offers a wide variety of models. It also offers many women's models, and its appeal lies in its dressy and feminine designs.

Introducing popular Omega models

　From here on, we will introduce some popular Omega models. This time, we will take a look at three selected models, including new releases.

Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer

　This model is considered to be Omega's most classic. It is admired by people of all ages, from young to middle-aged, and boasts overwhelming popularity.

　The original Seamaster was water resistant for everyday use, but the Seamaster 300 evolved dramatically to 300m water resistance, and this model inherits the essence of the Seamaster while incorporating modern technology and performance.

Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph

　This is a relatively new model, released just in 2021. The Speedmaster is a genuine professional watch that was also adopted as official equipment by NASA and was used on the moon landing with Apollo 11.

　This model is a reproduction of the model that made it onto the moon. Its visual appearance, including the manual-winding chronograph, is full of romance, retaining the look of the time.

Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer

　A new Constellation model just released in 2022.

　The blue ceramic bezel, hands, OMEGA logo, indexes, and star emblem are all blue, and the eye-catching white ceramic dial creates a refreshing and sporty design. The movement is a METAS-certified Master Chronometer, ensuring excellent reliability.

A comprehensive range of classic machines that have captivated the world

　All four of Omega's collections are representative and can be said to be icons that symbolize the brand. There are not many brands that are highly popular in every country and continue to be supported for such a long period of time. This is proof that Omega is not only appreciated for its good looks, but also for its excellent performance and durability as a "watch."