Omega watches have had a long-standing heritage in the field of watchmaking since 1892 to this day. Gaining numerous accolades and acknowledgment for their craftsmanship has been a part of their history. Even at present, Omega watches are continuously improving their design and engineering.
This company started when Louis Brant founded a small workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. With the accuracy of watches as the goal, he could craft better timepieces and made a name for himself. As time passed and things happened, the world has the Omega watch company and seven important watch models that we know of today.
1892: The First Minute-Repeater Wristwatch
The workshop of Louis Brandt was renamed a lot of times. Before getting the official Omega brand, it was formerly known as Louis Brandt & Fils, which was later replaced with Louis Brandt & Frere in 1891. This precursor to the Omega watch company released the first minute-repeater wristwatch in 1892.
This wristwatch model has a solid semblance to that of a pocket watch’s appearance. You can make the striking mechanism set off by locating the slider at three o’clock. You would also see a French phrase engraved on the dust cover. When translated to English, this phrase tells that the watch had been at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 but could not join the contest because Cesar Brandt, the brother of Louis-Paul, was a Paris World’s Fair juror in 1889.
1900: The First Omega Wristwatch
As we’ve mentioned, the Omega brand wasn’t its primary name. The first wristwatch to have ever used the official one was released in 1900. This watch has been acknowledged as a tough and durable wristwatch as it was able to withstand rough tests and usage. The British soldiers first used them during the Boer War from 1889 to 1903.
The Lepine 12-ligne Caliber HN B is employed in its mechanism. Did you know that Omega is one of the pioneers in making serial production of watches? This particular model has two versions. The first version can be worn on the left wrist, featuring a crown on the right. The other one is the opposite – to be worn on the right wrist and has a crown on the left.
1948: Omega Seamaster
The Omega Seamaster may be popularly known as a James Bond watch for its appearance in the popular series’ films. Still, there’s more to this timepiece model than just being a famous personality’s watch. It also has impressive specifications and functions that are genuinely well-crafted for divers.
Apparently, it is easy to infer that this model is a diver’s watch, given its name. One of the famous ones is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300 m. It has a water resistance of three hundred meters, as its name suggests. You can immediately tell that a wristwatch is an Omega Seamaster from the iconic ripple pattern on its dial. Of course, this is for the modern ones.
The civilian version of the Omega Seamaster family in 1948 featured fifty-meter water resistance. It has a screwed case-back that is fortified by lead gaskets. Upon looking at the dial, it has a reinforced crystal, and you will see that it is silver. The numbers consist of Arabic numerals, which are smooth and fixed.
1952: Omega Constellation
The official name for Omega’s certified chronometers is Constellation and was first used in 1952. The first model of this watch family first made its appearance in 1945. It employs the Caliber 28.10 RA SC PC RG AM, otherwise known as 352. Featuring a 28.1 mm diameter and 5.4-millimeter-thick movement, it was within the high standards of the official chronometer tests.
The Omega Constellation is the first model of wristwatch chronometer to be produced serially. As a matter of fact, this watch family is popular with vintage watch collectors at present. One of the succeeding models is the Constellation Globemaster, which features an annual calendar complication.
1957: Omega Speedmaster
The first moon landing is a topic that will always ring a bell in people’s minds. Did you know that the first-ever wristwatch qualified and used by the first moon landers is the Omega Speedmaster? It has withstood the rigorous and thorough tests of NASA before making its chance to land on the moon!
Some specifications and features to take note of the 1957 Omega Speedmaster are its black dial and luminous hands. It exhibits a tachymeter scale, as well as a case that is resistant to water. It is pieced together with a domed Plexiglas crystal and a screwed back. The original diameter of the watch is 39 mm, but a succeeding version features a 40 mm one.
1967: Omega De Ville
The Omega De Ville family is a separate line launched by the company in 1967. The primary purpose of the launch is to integrate modernistic styles into the timepieces. With the right design, they have been able to achieve the perfect mix of modernity and elegance. With this model’s younger and livelier look, it has become a hit and a best-selling collection.
The first versions to appear features rectangular models and employs the Caliber 620, which is ultra-slim and wound by hand. It won six Golden Roses in the 1970s at the Baden-Baden design awards. Even until now, Omega De Ville stands as a favorite among watch collectors for its sleek design.
1999: The First Co-Axial Escapement
The first chronograph to employ co-axial escapement is none other than the automatic Caliber 2500. Omega De Ville Co-Axial utilizes this feature. The Caliber 2500 is a self-winding movement from ETA. It has solved problems with precision in terms of time-keeping. Omega applied this innovation to many of their timepiece models, which is why they have guaranteed quality.
Takeaway
The luxury watches that we know of today have undergone many years of tests, innovations, and improvements. These milestones act as a guarantee that the watches in our wrists, such as your Omega timepiece, will be worth their price.
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