Watches have evolved from just merely telling time into fashion accessories. Even if most people look at their mobile phones to check the time, a watch is still a statement and an icon in its own right. It also serves as an heirloom, passed down through generations because one’s affinity for timepieces brings back good memories.
Just like Omega. This Swiss brand of watches takes you on a journey through time with interesting events in watch history. It all started when Louis Brandt created a precise and reliable industrialized watch movement in 1894. Revolutionary, indeed.
“Until the late 70s, Omega was number one in the world,” says Jean-Claude Monachon, Omega VP for product development. “We are slowly going back up like a rocket to meet our target again. But Omega has a wonderful heritage because even if you go to Africa, people will know that Omega is a top watch brand.”
Over the years, the brand has been synonymous with the highest precision in watch making and being a pioneer of sorts. In the movie world, Omega Seamaster is seen in current James Bond flicks like Golden Eye and Casino Royale. George Clooney, the brand’s new endorser got his first Omega watch from his uncle in 1969 when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon with the Omega Speedmaster.
Even Monachon is very attached to this line. He remembers the moon landing when he was just 12 years old. Monachon explains that 1957 was the birth of the Speedmaster, the same year he was born. He wears this favorite watch, which he bought and had his birthday engraved on the dial.
I grew up admiring Omega watches because of my dad. Since he is a fan, he loves collecting vintage timepieces like the Omega Constellation and De Ville range for the old-fashion appeal because as he once told me, “there’s nothing like a classic beauty.”
Omega’s second boutique recently opened in TriNoma. Oliver Hugentobler, Omega regional sales manager for the Indian subcontinent, Oceania, Philippines, Indonesia and Indo-China, says “Customers can find the full range of our products in our boutiques.”
Just this year, Omega launches Omega presents an innovation that redefines the entire theory of mechanical watch making with the De Ville Hour Vision range. By bringing something old into something new, this new collection for men focuses on the escapement or movement, which is the heart of the mechanical watch, as it generates impulses that make the mechanism move.
“The development and rigorous testing of Omega’s Co-Axial Escapement movement or engine for the watch took seven years,” explains Monachon. “We wanted to create an exceptional movement that will be the future of Omega mechanical watches.”
Expect this De Ville Hour Vision range to be a classic. The great thing about this collection is that the sides of the watches have a clear, 360 degree see-through opening so you could see the movement inside, which is simply amazing since this has never been done before.
With four designs to choose from, the Hour Vision collection is powered by the calibre 8500 movement. There is the stainless steel watch with either silver or black face complemented by stainless steel bracelet or alligator strap. The red gold watch comes in a chocolate brown or silver face with either an 18 karat red gold bracelet or a brown alligator strap. Perhaps what makes the red gold watch different is that it features the 8501 calibre identical to the other watches except that it has 18 karat red gold details.
Amazingly, Omega has kept its longevity in the watch industry. They have the best engineers, technicians and watch makers in the company. As the official timekeeper of the Olympics, the games in Beijing next year will surely be something to watch out for.
“As a brand, we don’t cheat with our customers,” concludes Monachon. “Omega’s philosophy is simply to offer the best products in terms of quality. We do not increase the price of the watch. If we do so, it is because we have an additional value.”
With this in mind, Omega truly has great moments in time.
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Omega De Ville Hour Vision is available at Omega Boutiques located at Glorietta 1, Ayala Center and TriNoma, EDSA corner North Avenue.