Pre-Basil Intrigue by Omega

In just 2 days Baselworld doors swing open to the waiting world of watches. Omega has just released an intriguing video of an Omega Seamaster Master Co-axial Chronometer.   Although we only catch glimpses of the watch, we can ascertain with out any doubt that Omega's latest addition is a beaut."Diving Heritage meets the future of watchmaking"

1957 Omega Seamaster 300

The watch in question has an uncanny resemblance to Omega's first Seamaster diving watch "The Omega Seamaster 300" introduced in 1957.  The indices, numerals, bezel, bracelet, hands, colors all point to an undeniable assessment of the surprise that awaits avid Omega fans at Omega's Baselworld 2014. In terms of the innovative inner workings of the Omega Seamaster Master Co-axial Chronometer, I have to be patient.

Omega's Olympic London 2012 Collection

The Amirillo Sunday News, July 25th, 1948

The Olympics will be back in London come summer 2012 and   Omega will be timing the games for the 25th year.  To commemorate Omega's 80th year as the Olympic Games official Timekeeper, Omega launched an Olympic Collection London 2012.

Three versions of the   Olympic London 2012 Seamaster co-axial chronometer watches are available.

The most sporty looking of the three is a Seamaster chronograph timepiece with a steel case and bracelet surrounding a blue dial priced at  $7,600. The Olympic Logo is emblazoned in steel on the case back.

The second chronograph timepiece is more classical in design. A red gold case and blue dial and strap - currently the most trendiest  color combination. This Seamaster features a transparent case-back revealing its movement.

The third watch is an OMEGA Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial “London 2012″ in steel with a solid yellow gold case back sporting the logo of the  London Olympics 2012.  This watch is priced at $6,800.  This watch is limited to 1948 pieces, representing the last year the Olympics were in London and the  year the Omega Seamaster was launched. The watch is powered by a highly efficient Automatic Caliber 2202, sporting a Co-Axial Escapement for optimum precision and durability.  A silver dial with an hour minute and small seconds sub-dial at the 6 'o'clock is the most formal watch of the three.  A black leather strap is sealed by a matching polished steel buckle.  The Omega Seamaster 1948 is water resistant to 120 meters and is capable of a 48 hour power reserve.




 
At the heart of the first two watches is an Omega 3313 self-winding chronograph movement with a highly efficient column wheel mechanism and Co-axial Escapement ensuring maximum precision. The watches harbor a free sprung balance and display a date,hour,minute and continuous small seconds hand.  A central chronograph hand ensures reliable timing of the races.

Both the Chronograph watches are equipped with a crown which screws into the tube of the case and  locks.  This feature maximizes the water resistancy of the watch to 500 meters.

 

Omega has opted to utilize an outside source to ensure maximum performance, efficiency, precision and reliability ,even in adverse conditions, by having the movement tested by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres or Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. (COSC).  The movement undergoes a battery of rigorous tests in order to achieve the status of chronometer.  After Rolex, Omega is one of the companies which submit the largest amounts of movements to be tested by the COSC.  As an added precaution of authenticity, a serial number ,officially certifying the movement as a chronometer, is engraved into the movement.

The dial of the watches are protected by a domed scratch resistant Sapphire crystal treated with an anti-reflective coating enabling maximum read out against the glare of the sun.

 Omega is the Official Timekeepers at the Olympic Games and has been since Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games and the 1936 Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany -  when a single Omega technician came to the games hauling 27 stopwatches. In the intervening years , from then till now, Omega's expertise in Olympic timekeeping has increased dramatically.
In this years Olympics all eyes will be on 26 year old Omega Ambassador Swimmer Legend Micheal Phelps winner of no less than 14 gold medals and 2 bronze with Omega timing his progression stroke by stroke.

As far as efficiency, durability and precision goes, these watches are the complete package.  All three timepieces attract  different tastes for different occasions. 

Purchasing a watch commemorating an event adds a collectible quality to the timepiece especially if  manufactured in limited editions.

Omega Unveils Seamaster 1948 Co Axiel "London 2012" Limited Edition

To Commemorate Omega's 80th year of Olympic timekeeping come summer 2012, Omega unveils the Omega Seamaster 1948 Co- Axiel "London 2012" Limited Edition, exactly the year to the date before the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. London 2012 will mark the 25th time Omega is named the Official Olympic Timekeeper. Omega's first Olympic timekeeping year was back in Los Angeles 1932. Omega kept time using its chronographs and stop-watches developed by its subsidiary Lemania. Omega's use of its 1948 Seamaster to commemorate the Olympic London 2012 is by know means a coincidence: 1948 marked  the debut of the Seamaster and it the last time London hosted the Olympics. Thus it stand to reason this watch will only be available in limited edition of 1,948 pieces.

Seamaster Professional 300m Vancouver 2010 Olympics Watch

In 2012 the demand for timekeeping precision is even greater with Omega's increasing ability to mark the time in smaller and smaller increments. In addition, Omega is responsible for compiling the data and statistics of the games and the hiring of expert data processing professionals. The highly efficient time keeping techniques of Omega has come a long way from the 1948 Olympics when Omega introduced the  "Magic Eye" - a photo finish camera Omega pioneered for sports. 

No sign of the London 2012 Olympics mark the dial of the Omega Seamaster 1948 Co Axiel "London 2012" , as in previous years-see inset, which may disappoint some who were expecting to see Olympic Colored  Numbers and the interlocking Olympic circles.  However, as you can see the Olympic London 2012 logo is emblazoned on the case back on a yellow gold disc looking very much like an Olympic gold medal.  The watch itself is the picture of elegance - a fine commemoration piece rather than a rugged portrayal of sports.

  Within its 39mm polished and brushed stainless steel case, is an Omega Caliber 2202 with a Co- Axiel escapement (now a mainstay on all new Omega timepieces) on three levels and a free sprung-balance.  The movement of the timepiece has undergone rigorous testing and consequently awarded the title of chronometer.  A polished stainless steel bezel frames a opaline silver dial marked by a white gold vintage Omega logo, and a small seconds dial at the 6 'o'clock position bringing a touch of blue to its face .  Four white gold bold Arabic Numerals mark the 3, 6, 9 & 12 dial positions while slender hour indicators mark the rest.  Polished Stainless Steel Lugs hold a leather strap in place, which closes via a vintage polished stainless buckle.

This latest edition to Omega's longstanding and historic contribution to the Olympic Games is a fine example of the brevity of  timekeeping tradition without being blinded by ribbons and frills.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Omega Time

Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 have begun: the scrape of steel on ice, the cold sharp air surrounding Olympians striving to be the best, to outrun the competition and go home with the gold. Being precisely fast, utilizing technique, stamina, muscle and something beyond that- an awe inspiring focus and energy stemming as much from the mind as the body, making champions. Often times, split seconds differentiate a gold from a silver; a moment undetected by the naked eye or the common watch, but precisely recorded by the Olympic Timekeeping abilities of Omega.
Omega is the Official Timekeepers at the Olympic Games and has been since Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games and the 1936 Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, when a single Omega technician came to the games hauling 27 stopwatches. In the intervening years , from then till now, Omega's expertise in Olympic timekeeping has increased dramatically. At this years Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games, Omega has 220 timekeeping professionals and engineers as well as 290 volunteers from the area. 250 tons of timekeeping equipment, on venue results and TV services culminating in the largest timekeeping effort in the history of winter sports.In commemoration of the Vancouver Olympics, Omega unveiled a Seamaster Professional 300m Vancouver 2010 Olympics Watch- limited edition of 2010 pieces. The bezel is red, the color of Canada's Maple leaf - the center of its flag. Aside from the looks, the timepiece is a certified chronometer , Caliber Omega 2500, equipped with Omega's renowned co-axial escapement technology. The watch sports a Helium escape valve and screw in crown which equips it for deep sea diving. The interior of the domed sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective, and coupled with the lume coated hand and hour markers ensure optimal readability even in environments of low visibility.

So, if by chance, you furrow your brow and wonder if in fact the American Bobsleigh Team was driving a more furious race than the Canadian Team, rest assured Omega has your back ,with its timekeeping excellence, and may the best man win.

Omega's Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal®

From being the only watch brand on the moon to the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic games, Omega is renowned for being a watch brand built to withstand tough and rough conditions. Now Omega has unveiled a watch fusing two of the most resilient materials: ceramic and Liquidmetal®.

Liquidmetal® alloys are a revolutionary material, twice the strength of titanium and as workable as plastic. This material can be specifically crafted to suit the need of a multitude of day to day items replacing much weaker and more expensive materials.

Liquidmetal® provides a high yield strength; extreme hardness; superior strength/weight ratio; high elastic limit, high corrosion resistance & high wear resistance.

To create a watch comprising of ceramics and Liquidmetal®, Swatch Group researchers collaborated with Omega's product development team. The result is incredible: silvery Liquidmetal® alloy numbers and scaling shimmer against the coal black of the ceramic diving bezel and dial. The bracelet and case are stainless steel. The watch is powered by Omega's Co-axial calibre 2500, a movement which has successfully undergone a battery of rigorous chronometric testing.

The Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® is available in a limited edition of 1948 pieces, the year Omega launched the Seamaster line.

Undeniably Omega is at the top of its game, recently The International Committee IOC and The Swatch Group Ltd. signed a long term partnership in regard to timing, scoring and venue results services for the Olympic games. Omega and the Olympic games have had a long standing relationship since 1932 with no end in sight. The Swatch Group Ltd will be the Official Timekeeper and Results Service Partner for the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014, The Olympiad in 2016, Olympic Winter Games 2018 and the Olympiad Games in 2020.Timekeeper and Results.

An Omega Seamaster for the Ladies

One of the most popular watches, the Omega Seamaster now caters to the ladies. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Chronograph 600mm has a subtle softer look without removing its look of adventurous durability. The Planet Ocean dial has been scaled down from its 45.5mm wide to 37.5 mm wide to suit the smaller wrist of a women.

The watch is fitted with a helium escape valve which allows for maximum functionality needed by professional divers exploring great ocean depths for lengthy periods of time. In great depths divers often spend time in diving bells under pressure breathing a mixture of gases like trimax. This gas mixture contains helium. Helium molecules are tiny, the second smallest found in nature and are able to work their way around the gaskets and other seals and into the watch. This does not present a problem as long as the diver remains under pressure; however during resurfacing when decompression stops, a pressure difference builds up between the interior of the watch with the trapped helium and the environment. This pressure difference can cause the watch crystal to pop off. This is where the helium escape valve is required. The helium escape valve allows the extra helium molecules built up in the watch to escape and thus equalising the pressure between the watch interior and the environment.

The watch case is steel with a metal bracelet. The watch is resistant to 600 meters crafted specifically for divers. The chronograph pushers are available with either black or orange tips. In the orange versions the color is extended to parts of the rotating diver's bezel.

The watch has endured rigorous testing by the COSC and thus is a certified chronometer. The watch is powered by an Omega Co-Axial Calibre 3313 automatic mechanical movement.

What luxury watch is he wearing?

I have been writing this blog for quite some time now and I cannot control my urge to look at ones wrist watch. Now if the wrist watch belongs to a friend or a business acquaintance, I may ask, providing the circumstance is just right, "Could that be an Ebel Beluga?" As a result of my genuine admiration resonating in my voice, the friend will undoubtedly remove the fine masterpiece from her hand and give it to me for further inspection.
This very scene I just described happened two nights ago. I was seated at a wonderful dinner table and I was savoring tender moist grilled salmon. A stiff uncomfortable gentlemen was seated across from me and I noticed his watch, I squinted (my eyes are not what they used to be),
"Is that an Omega Seamaster?", I said, absolutely unable to contain my excitement. He looked at me with surprise, his gaze immediately softening.
"Yes it is! How do you know?" So then I explained that I blogged and then I explained how I blogged and finally I explained what a "blog" actually was.
"I dive!, " he said.
"You know the Omega Seamaster is a diver's watch. Water resistant to 300 meters, " he said.

He handed me the watch and as I inspected the screw in case back and crown as well as the luminous hand and dial markers, he related to me his numerous diving adventures.

If the watch belongs to a stranger in front of me at a check out line at my local supermarket, extended squinting and sidelong glances may cause the stranger to become quite suspicious of my intentions, resulting in an inevitable confrontation with the store security personnel. So I am forced to control my curiosity and increase my already vast knowledge of luxury watches so that a cursory glance would be sufficient.

The easiest watch collection to recognize from across a room or in an endless "10 items or less" line is the Movado Museum Watches. The dot at the 12 'o'clock is as conspicuous as a full moon above the Sahara Desert.
The Corum bubble watch collections are also highly recognizable with the thick domed sapphire crystals. Chopard's Happy Collections are a treat to spot with gems that glide across the watch face between two layers of sapphire crystal.
Of course the more pricey unique watches are not hard to miss as they shout "Look at me!" Take for example Girard Perregaux's Opera One Minute Repeater Tourbillon with three gold bridges, you may not recognize the type of watch ,being that it is so unique;however, you will recognize this watch as something special, worthy of a complete and utter fixation.


Van Halem