About Omega
Omega began in a small workshop established by Louis Brandt in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland in 1848. During the first 30 years after it was founded, Brandt maintained a modest business, selling his watches to customers around the world. When he passed away in 1879, his sons quickly stepped in to carry on their father’s vision. In 1885, the brothers released their first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador, and in 1892, they developed the first minute-repeating timepiece. Only 2 years later, they launched the 19-line Omega Caliber, which sent ripples throughout the watchmaking industry and would soon give the company its name.
In 1905, Omega took on a role as the official timekeeper at sporting events throughout Switzerland, and in 1932, it acquired one of its most vital timekeeping partnerships - the company earned its title as the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. The partnership continues to this day, having served as the official timekeeper for over 20 Olympic Games.
SEAMASTER
Just a little over a decade later, in 1948, Omega watches introduced the first edition of one of its most symbolic watches: the Seamaster. The first Seamaster was rolled out to celebrate the company’s 100th Anniversary. To this day, the model is still one of the most respected watches in the Omega family.
SPEEDMASTER
In 1962, Omega made history when astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Speedmaster on his Mercury Sigma 7 Mission, making it the first Omega watch to enter space. Just three years later, the company received a significant endorsement from NASA, which solidified the Speedmaster as the official chronograph for American space missions.
In 1969, the Omega Speedmaster was a part of the first trip to the moon, worn on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin. And in 1970, the Speedmaster was crucial in helping the astronauts of the Apollo 13 mission return home safely. Even today, Omega and space programs worldwide continue to work in tandem to create some of the most effective tools for the trade.
Omega earned widespread popularity in the 1990s as the official watch of James Bond after an Omega Seamaster appeared on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan. Whether it’s space, sports or pop culture, Omega has easily preserved its reputation as one of the greatest watch brands in the world.
DID YOU KNOW?
Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. The Omega letter symbolises accomplishment and perfection.
Omega took inspiration for its first Speedmaster from the dial aesthetics on the dashboards of Italian cars.