OMEGA
Click here to view our current Omega range
Omega was founded at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1848 by 23-year-old Louis Brandt and is responsible
for many milestones in horology history. Omega made history by introducing the first watch incorporating
the revolutionary co-axial escapement - invented by English watchmaker George Daniels. Considered by many
to be one of the most significant horological advancements since the invention of the lever escapement, the
co-axial escapement functions with virtually no lubrication thereby eliminating one of the shortcomings of
the traditional lever escapement. Through using radial friction instead of sliding friction at the impulse
surfaces the co-axial escapement significantly reduces friction, theoretically resulting in longer service
intervals and greater accuracy over time.
On January 24, 2007 Omega repeated this history with its new Calibres 8500 and 8501, two co-axial movements
created exclusively from inception by Omega.
The Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph was the first watch on the Moon worn on the wrists of Edwin
'Buzz' Aldrin. This historically notable watch is now considered lost. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin mentions in his
book "Return to Earth" that when donating several items to the Smithsonian Institution, his Omega was one of
the few things that was stolen from his personal effects. Since the moon landings, the iconic Speedmaster
'Moonwatch' was selected by NASA for all the Apollo missions.
In 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph, tOmega unveiled
the commemorative version of their Speedmaster Professional Chronograph Moonwatch. The watch had the
distinctive features of the first hand-winding Omega Speedmaster introduced in 1957. It is sold in a
limited edition of 5,957 pieces.
Omega is also associated with James Bond movies since 1995. That year, Pierce Brosnan took over the role
of James Bond and he began wearing the Omega Seamaster Quartz Professional in the movie 'GoldenEye'.
In all subsequent films, Pierce Brosnan has worn an Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer.
Its Seamaster 300M Professional Chronometer is Bond's watch now, used by Pierce Brosnan in each of his
Bond movies since, but not including, GoldenEye. In the GoldenEye film, the quartz Seamaster 300M
Professional, model: 2541.80.00 was featured.
Daniel Craig, the current James Bond of the film "Casino Royale" also wears the Omega Seamaster.
In the film, he wears two different models, the Seamaster Planet Ocean in the first part of the film,
and wears the 'official' Bond-watch, the Seamaster Professional 300M during the later part of Casino Royale.
In connection with the launch of the film, Omega released a special 007-special of the Professional 300M,
featuring the 007-gun logo on the second hand and the rifle pattern on the watch face. The face design
being a stylized representation of the gunbarrel sequence of Bond movies.
|
