Why is Omega Such an Icon?

Omega claims the last name in pop culture, sports, and of course space. The company has been proved time and time again to be a favorite among the average consumer, movies stars, politicians, rock stars, and so on. The long history of Omega’s timepieces outranks that of most watch brands who may have more “gusto” to their name while still to this day providing amazing valuejuat about all of their pieces. Their constant drive for perfection is something I as a watch lover can relate to and respect.

Omega was founded by Louis Brandt a modest man with a modest watch shop trying to expand his business all over the world. To just achieve that many would see as an accomplishment. His sons agreed but dreamed bigger, after the death of their father they took over the business. First run under the name La Generale Watch Co after its founding in 1848, it has seen some great accomplishments, such as it’s first mass-produced caliber movement known as the “Labrador” in 1885, as well as it’s 1st-minute repeating timepiece created in 1892.

After the Omega Calibre Movement was produced in 1894 and took the world by storm and, upon the death of the two brothers, the company name was changed to Omega in 1903. By this time the grandchildren of Louis Brandt took over the company (the youngest was 24) and it took off, becoming the go-to watch for sporting events in Switzerland in 1905. Even one of Omega’s earliest and greatest accomplishments occurred during this period, which was becoming the official watch of the Olympics in 1932 during the summer games in Los Angeles. Omega has been the official watch for the over 20 Olympic Games ever since. Upon the 100th anniversary of the company in 1948, Omega released the iconic Seamaster line, which is one of their most iconic and popular watch families of all time (other than the Speedmaster of course, which didn’t get its recognition until 1962 when it became the first Omega in space, 1969 on the wrists of the first humans to walk on the moon, or 1970 when it helped the crew of Apollo 13 descend safely after all systems failed). Who can forget what has made Omega such a presence in the 21st century, such as the continued interest in the history of the Omega timepieces of old and the presence of Omega on the wrist of such pop culture icons as James Bond!?

All in all, Omega has made many contributions to the world of wristwatches through the years. Though it today does not enjoy the panache of Rolex or the high-market status of Patek Phillippe or Audemars Piguet, Omega is still a viable contender in the world watch market, with some of the world’s most beloved watches falling under its umbrella.