Omega
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland · Est. 1848
Founded by Louis Brandt
Founded in Biel/Bienne in 1848 by Louis Brandt, Omega is the Swatch Group's flagship brand and one of the most recognisable watch names in the world. It is best known as the watch worn on the Moon during Apollo 11 and as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, and produces the iconic Seamaster, Speedmaster, and Constellation collections.
- Founded
- 1848
- Headquarters
- Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
- Group
- Swatch Group
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Speedmaster — The Moonwatch — first watch worn on the Moon during Apollo 11 in 1969, an icon of space exploration and chronograph design.
- Seamaster — Professional dive watch family ranging from the elegant Aqua Terra to the 300M and Planet Ocean, also James Bond's watch since 1995.
- Constellation — Elegant dress watch with distinctive 'griffes' on the case and a star on the dial, one of Omega's oldest lines.
- De Ville — Ultra-thin dress collection featuring the Co-Axial escapement and tourbillon complications, representing Omega's haute horlogerie side.
Timeline
- 1848 — Louis Brandt opens a watchmaking workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
- 1894 — The 'Omega' calibre is created, giving the brand its name — symbolising the ultimate achievement in watchmaking.
- 1932 — Becomes the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a role it has held at over 30 Games.
- 1957 — Launches the Speedmaster, Seamaster 300, and Railmaster — the 'Holy Trinity' of professional watches.
- 1969 — The Speedmaster Professional becomes the first watch worn on the Moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission.
- 1999 — Introduces the Co-Axial escapement, invented by George Daniels, reducing friction and improving long-term accuracy.
- 2020 — Launches the Speedmaster Moonwatch with updated Calibre 3861 Master Chronometer movement, modernising the iconic moonwatch while retaining its heritage design.
- 2022 — Collaborates with Swatch on the MoonSwatch — a quartz-powered Speedmaster in Swatch's Bioceramic material — causing global queues and resale frenzy.
- 2025 — Releases the fourth-generation Seamaster Planet Ocean for its 20th anniversary, Seamaster Diver 300M in bronze gold and burgundy, and Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite editions. Brings back the legendary Railmaster.
- 2026 — Launches the Constellation Observatory — the first two-hand watch to achieve Master Chronometer certification via a new acoustic testing method. Releases Speedmaster Moonwatch reverse panda editions and Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Seamaster as Official Timekeeper.
Frequently Asked Questions about Omega
- Why is the Speedmaster called the Moonwatch?
- In 1969, Buzz Aldrin wore a Speedmaster Professional on the Moon during Apollo 11. NASA had selected it after rigorous testing as its official flight-qualified chronograph.
- What is the Co-Axial escapement?
- A low-friction escapement invented by George Daniels and adopted by Omega in 1999. It reduces the need for lubrication, improving long-term accuracy and extending service intervals.