OMEGA

History of OMEGA Watches

For over 160 years Omega watches have aided in recording the planet’s history. They have travelled to the depths of the ocean and have even travelled to space.  Their watches have been worn by multiple world leaders, explorers and all different walks of life.  Omega watches have a unique and distinct history unlike any other brand you will find.

Omega’s roots date back to 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds Switzerland as La Generale Watch Co. Louis Brandt founded the company which initially focused on the manufacture of key-wound pocket watches. In 1894, Brandt’s two sons Louis-Paul and Cesar began developing a very fine in-house movement for the company. Their watches were initially marketed under the OMEGA brand of La Generale Watch Co.  The notoriety as a great designer began with their success at the 1896 Exhibition in Geneva. In 1900 they received a grand prize for their design in Paris at the Universal Exposition. In that same year, Omega commercialized the marketing and sale of wristwatches, the first company to do so.

The new line was so successful that by 1903 La Generale Watch Co. changed its name to Omega Watch Co.  Both Louis-Paul and Cesar died that same year, right after founding the Omega Watch Co.  They left a massive company that employed over 800 people in the hands of Paul-Emile Brandt, who was only 23 at the time. His influence in the company would be tremendous over the next 50 years and he is widely known as “the great architect and builder of Omega”.

Due to their reputation for accuracy, Omega was chosen as the official timekeeper of the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles.  They were also the official timekeeper of the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 Summer and Winter Olympic games.  In 2011 Omega signed a contract with the PGA, making them the official timekeeper of PGA of America through 2016.  Neil Armstrong wore his Omega Speedmaster Chronograph in the Apollo 11 mission that landed on the moon. James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan wore an Omega Seamaster in the 1995 film Goldeneye.  Omega’s list of achievements over the past 120 years is something to marvel at. They have made history on this planet and another. Their history is rich and their current watches are nothing short of amazing.  They are certain to continue this long-standing tradition of precision and excellence.