Japanese Omega Automatic Replica, Omega Automatic Watches

Omega Speedmaster Reduced Ladies MOP / Diamond Bezel / Bracelet (3535.70.00)

when i received .i was so impress. shine like real diamond .thank GOD WE CAN AFFORD that

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Xandra P, From Italia Villafranca Di Verona

Omega Constellation 35mm Small Seconds Co-Axial Red Gold (123.58.35.20.63.001)

I just received my Omega Constellation watch today and I am so pleased t see such an elegant piece! Thank you.

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Rose Olson, From Fenegro Fenegro - Como-

Omega Constellation 24 Quartz Brushed (123.25.24.60.55.001)

Loved the Omega watch even though it arrived with one of the crystals completely missing, not even loose in the bottom of the package. I loved it so much, and it fit so nicely and felt so comfortable that I took it to my jeweler who was so kind to both provide and reglue the crystal without charge!! How's that for small town living!

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by shannon bradley, From Thailand Muang Phetchaburi

Joel Dicker. Harry Quebert. Baltimore. These are all names that ring a bell among fans of literature and many others too. The 30 year-old writer from Geneva is now the ambassador of the DS car brand that partnered GMT magazine for its 15^th birthday party held at HEAD Geneve. Joel Dicker is adding another string to his bow by serving as director and starring in the DS web series leading up to an exclusive novel.

Although he's not a watch connoisseur as such, Joel Dicker is certainly not unappreciative of the classic, complex or innovative timepieces produced by the watch industry. The young author already translated into more than 30 languages shared a few thoughts on the topic with Worldtempus. 

Which was your first watch?
I was given my first watch at the age of four: it was a Flik Flak with a blue strap! I later had a classic Swatch steel watch, but I don't remember the exact model....

 Which model would you like to wear now?
The one I have at the moment suits me just fine: an Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. I like its sporty and classic nature: black, discreet and yet original.

And what kind of watch would you like to give your sweetheart?
Not a watch from a specific brand. On the contrary, if I could, I'd create a watch from scratch for my girl!

What does time represent for you?
Money! Just kidding. Time… embodies the ambiguous relationship between past time and the time we have left to carry out our plans and to live. So time is ambiguity.

What does Swiss watchmaking mean to you?
Pride in having a national product that is universally appreciated abroad! It's a benchmark, a guarantee of quality and of excellent workmanship. That has an impact both on the image of watchmaking in general and on Switzerland itself.

When you are touring abroad, do people talk to you about Swiss watchmaking?
Not about Swiss watchmaking in particular, but about all the things that symbolise Switzerland, including watches. The latter are of course a reference in terms of Swiss excellence in this domain. Afterwards, people also talk to me about banks and chocolate of course.

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
I read all manner of things, although I wouldn't personally be capable of writing any and every kind of literary genre.

How about a thriller?
No! Murder, blood and torture are definitely not my scene. I'm a romantic…

The notion of time is bly present in your books. Can you tell me a bit more? 
Yes indeed, all my books have a bly embedded concept of time. There are constant flashbacks to the life of the main protagonist, a lot of waiting, a sense of protracted duration. There is always a tie with past, present and future time, so it definitely underpins various situations.

What was your latest literary crush?
A bookseller recently recommended a book written by a pair of little-known authors and the title was also unfamiliar. I loved its unexpected side. It was a very different genre from anything I'd previously read. by John Robert and Evan Wright is all about the New York mafia, murder, cocaine… I highly recommend it!

In a bit of a surprise move, Peter Speake-Marin recently announced that he had signed well-known actor Pierce Brosnan as the ambassador for the Speake-Marin brand. It's rare for a small, independent brand to have an ambassador.
"It wasn't planned or searched for, it was the result of meeting on the filming of the movie 'Survivor' and becoming friends," explains Speake-Marin, who worked as a watchmaking consultant on the film. "Pierce started posting pictures of himself and his watches on Instagram and it seemed like a natural thing to do to ask him if he was interested in taking it to another level.

"He is classical with a twist as is my work; he is also in his own right an artist as well as an actor," Speake-Marin continues. "When we first met we became friends within minutes, in a slightly surreal way. We are kindred spirits from different worlds. We both love what we do and we both live in creative worlds."

Brosnan has had an incredible career, appearing some of the biggest movies made, including playing James Bond four times, while sporting an Omega, of course. Now, whenever he has a chance, Brosnan will wear his Speake-Marin. "Pierce has worn a Speake-Marin in the last film he made, called 'IT' and will do likewise in a new movie starting in the coming months," Speake-Marin details. Currently, Brosnan wears the Resilience timepiece (), the same one he wore in "Survivor."

Does an ambassador really pay off, especially for a small brand that struggles for recognition? Having a recognizable face of the brand certainly can't hurt. "Speake-Marin is a small company and we are slowly growing from year to year at a steady rate," Speake-Marin says. "This year was exemplary, which I believe was due to Pierce but also the evolution as a whole within the collections and the growing awareness of my work. Each year we are alive we grow."

Speake-Marin sees the association with Brosnan as a sign of future success. "Business is good, but I have no illusions, life for a small company in a competitive industry life can be challenging, but we are growing at a time when many companies are shrinking and making cutbacks," he says. "For the industry as a whole it is forever changing as it has been for the last 30 years with peaks and troughs, there is no longer a genuine sense of stability but this brings in its own way a need for creativity and originality to adapt to the new and changing world we live in.
"For Speake-Marin, I am more optimistic today than I have ever been due to the reality of our situation with growing sales, knowledge and maturity as a whole," he continues. "Also, I have a freedom for development now that I have never had before, due to a growing team to whom I have been able to delegate the daily activities of running the business."

When asked whether Brosnan will have a hand in the design of any Speake-Marin watches, Speake-Marin is tight-lipped. "For that you will have to wait and see," he says.

Last week, Omega announced that it is developing a new standard, in conjunction with the Swiss Federal Institute for Metrology (METAS). Any watch with a precision between 0 and +5 seconds per day that can resist magnetic fields of "at least 15,000 gauss" will qualify for this Swiss norm, with which Omega ostensibly aims to raise awareness of the potential impact on our watches of the magnetic fields that surround us nowadays.

Also last week, the Qualite Fleurier foundation celebrated the 10th anniversary of its certification with the announcement that it is making the unique equipment used for its tests available to the entire Swiss watchmaking industry. The certification already uses the same strict precision tolerances as the new METAS standard, but with one very important difference: it is the only certification where the finished watch is subjected to a genuine simulation of real-world wrist action over 24 hours on the formidable Fleuritest machine. Read our full report this week on WorldTempus.

In this last full week of shopping before Christmas, we conclude our gift guide with a review of some affordable complicated watches, a selection of watch-related books and the new ultimate gift for the watch fan. Over the holiday season we will also be publishing loads of great content, with a mini-series of "What's next?" articles inspired by the theme of this year's Forum de la Haute Horlogerie, the first in a series of articles on the different movement decorations used in watchmaking, features from the latest issue of GMT Lady and a selection of the forthcoming SIHH launches.

Our offices will be closed over the festive period, so the next WorldTempus newsletter will be sent out on 12 January. In the meantime, the entire team at WorldTempus wishes you happy holidays and all the very best for the New Year. See you soon!

Although their names may not be familiar as writers of horological reference works, Gregoire Rossier and Anthony Marquie have invested several years in the production of this consummate guide to one of the few genuine watch icons.

The Omega Speedmaster needs little introduction, having secured its very own page in the history books when it was selected by NASA for use in its manned spaceflight programme. But the Moonwatch is only part of the varied history of the Speedmaster model, which traces its lineage back over 50 years, to the first model in 1957.

catalogues over 125 models, covering all Speedmaster production since 1957, including limited and special editions, as well as projects and prototypes. It also analyses and codifies over 250 different components, from calibres to cases, bezels to bracelets, crown to crystal… and even the presentation boxes, using an original nomenclature developed by the authors. It is illustrated with over 1000 images, some of which have never before been published.

Moonwatch Only. The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster Guide, by Gregoire Rossier and Anthony Marquie, is available in English, French and Italian, priced CHF 290 or €250 from Watchprint, the watch and jewellery bookstore. 

Order a copy

Jan Edöcs will also continue to be a senior partner at the business and financial consulting group Consalve AG, whose services Hanhart already employed in the past. The 42-year-old Edöcs has more than 20 years' experience in the watch industry (Omega, Swatch Ltd., Versace, Milus International SA) and has proven experience in business management. Ronald Grob, previously interim CEO, will continue in future as a consultant at Hanhart. Production in Gutenbach will continue to be led by Klaus Eble, who has more than 40 years of service with Hanhart and is regarded as an expert in the production of precision timepieces.

Hanhart will be taking part at Baselworld 2013 (25.04. - 02.05.), presenting its new products at hall 2.0, booth E15.
The tradition-rich Hanhart brand was founded in 1882. The company is renowned for the production of functional instrument watches for use on land, sea and in the air. Since 2010 Hanhart is belonging to the Gaydoul Group.

Yesterday in London's chic New Bond Street, Sotheby's auction house undertook what was certainly its most high-profile auction of the year: selling the horological remains of George Daniels' life.
At precisely 2:30 GMT, the elite of the horological auction world crowded into Sotheby's posh auction room to witness - or possibly bid on - the 137 items left in Daniels' collection at the time of his death in 2011.
 

Daniels can rightly be viewed as the first independent, a talented watchmaker who practically led this movement of the mechanical renaissance by example. He was revered by the other independents - as F.P. Journe's platinum Chronometre Souverain (lot 27) gift to him shows - and inspired them in their own work. "This auction will set the precedent for other independents' work," Geoffroy Ader, head of Sotheby's Geneva, remarked.
Daniels is best remembered for inventing the co-axial escapement, which was industrialized and is now in serial use by Omega, though as his protege and only apprentice Roger Smith pointed out, "He made everything by hand, every part of the watch." His 37 unique pocket watches remain so one-of-a-kind because they were indeed manufactured by his own two hands and because each one represented a new technical experiment.

Daniels was a collector of automobiles, cameras, and timepieces. As an expert in the history of horology, he also traded in very high-end vintage timepieces and was an adviser to Sotheby's for much of his career. Much of the proceeds of the auctions surrounding these objects will benefit the George Daniels Educational Trust, a charity he set up before his passing to benefit the higher education of pupils studying the disciplines of horology, engineering, medicine and building construction. Financial aid from the trust is granted to students nominated by City University London and jointly the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and The British Horological Institute.
Auction results
Many pieces in the auction were highly anticipated, and the top lot performed as expected, which is probably why it did not elicit applause from the polite gathering of aficionados: the Space Travellers Watch, a large Lepine-style pocket watch complicated beyond belief and ahead of its time in terms of added technology. Smith explained that Daniels had created it in honor of man's first landing on the moon (hence the name). The bidding on it was spirited and included a prominent local London retailer, who dropped out before it crossed the one-million-pound mark. Bidding topped out at 1,150,000 pounds before commission.

The second most expensive lot came in at 1,100,000 pounds before commission: an ebony-encased striking table clock by Joseph Knibb from 1677. It has royal provenance, which is probably what at least partially spurred the heated bidding for it. As expected, Daniels' own pieces did remarkably well, with the Grand Complication wristwatch hammered at 780,000 pounds before commission.
Anther notable lot was an Urban Jurgensen wristwatch modified by Daniels to include a slim version of the co-axial escapement, which was sold to the Jurgensen Museum via telephone for 50,000 pounds before commission. And, naturally, the Journe piece was notable for the above-mentioned reasons. It sold for 36,000 pounds before commission.
The Sotheby's team and other notables present at the auction were pleased with the results, totaling 8,285,139 pounds after commission (and beating the pre-sale estimate by more than 3 million pounds). About 8 million pounds of that will go to the George Daniels Educational Trust.
 

A Timely Perspective - 5 November 2012

The Omega Speedmaster chronograph was created in 1957 and has always been regarded as a high-precision sturdy, reliable watch. In 1969, it made history as the first watch to be worn on the moon. This week, it was the watch I relied on during hurricane Sandy, the subsequent power outage for six days and the clean-up after the fact.

This Speedmaster Automatic Chronometer is a superb watch. Housing the self-winding Omega 3304 caliber, the watch is a chronograph and officially certified COSC chronometer. I love the feel of the automatic movement and its self-winding capabilities - you know you have mechanics on the wrist with this watch. For me, even though time wasn't essential during the blackout, I needed to know the time and date and with this watch I was certain it wouldn't die as a quartz watch might if its battery ran out during the long days and dark nights. 

Additionally, during the aftermath and the cleanup outside, I knew it was rugged enough to go the distance hauling logs, brush and debris off the pool and out of the yard. While I didn't use the tachymeter bezel, I did, in fact, use the chronograph to track how long it took to get just the one big tree off the pool: 6 hours, 22 minutes and 10 seconds. After that, I stopped timing the take down of the other fallen seven trees. It was tiring work but the watch kept up! I love this timepiece. Retail is about $4,900 - and at that it is a steal.

When Daniel Craig reprises his role as James Bond in Skyfall, he will be wearing an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M 42mm with a black dial and a matt black ceramic unidirectional rotating divers' bezel. Bond fans and Omega enthusiasts will know that the world's favourite secret agent has been wearing Seamasters since 1995 and the Planet Ocean has been his choice since Casino Royale in 2006.

James Bond's choice
For Skyfall, Bond's choice is the steel on steel Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Omega Co-Axial Chronometer, whose design features can be traced directly back to the classic Seamasters of the 1950s. Inside the case it's a different story: the watch is driven by the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500 whose revolutionary Co-Axial escapement and free sprung balance deliver long-term stability and precision, dramatically reducing the need for servicing. Also equipped with an Si14 silicon balance spring, the watch is delivered with a four-year warranty.
The hands and indexes have been treated with Super-LumiNova and are legible in all lights and conditions and offer a stark contrast to the matt black surface of the dial. The Super-LumiNova on the indexes, the hour hand and the seconds hands emits a blue light; the luminescent material on the minute hand and the dot on the bezel appear green. This contrast means that divers can tell at a glance how much time has elapsed when they are underwater. Even the sweep of the luminous orange-tipped seconds hand can easily be read in the dark. There are Arabic numerals at 12, 6, and 9 o'clock with a date window at the 3 o'clock position on the dial.

A professional divers' watch
A professional divers' watch, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Omega Co-Axial Chronometer is equipped with a helium escape valve. The stainless steel bracelet features a diver's clasp which allows its length to be extended to fit around a wetsuit. As its name suggests, the Planet Ocean 600m is water resistant to a depth of 600 metres (60 bar / 2000 feet).
Omega and the world's most stylish spy
James Bond has worn an Omega Seamaster in every film since Goldeneye in 1995. Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming first introduced Bond to Omega. She described Bond as a naval man and a discreet gentleman of the world, so the Seamaster was the obvious choice. Omega couldn't agree more!

Renaissance
Pocket Watch
1981

It is the fisrt pocket watch intergrating a Tourbillon and complications in the history. The Renaissance features the Hours, Minutes and Seconds (from the Tourbillon). It also is a Perpetual Calendar with all of its traditionnal information. Plus it proposes an automatic striking mechanism, the 12 zodiacal signs, the sunrise and sunset stars, the equation of time and a thermometer. The Renaissance is still today privately owned by the same familly who originally bought it.
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Capriccio - Piece No 2
Pocket Watch
1983

The functions are the Hours, Minutes and Seconds (from the Tourbillon). Its hand winding movment perfectly fits the special shape of the case, inspired by a paintor's color palette. The power reserve is of 8 days. It is regulated by a tourbillon and a detent escapment.  The Capriccio is the property of the Omega museum.
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Montres des Sables - A Faces
Pocket Watches
1985

The deserts' nomads inspired Dominique Loiseau for the creation of these 6 unique Montres des Sables (Watches of the sand). Every movement's flying Tourbillon is placed in the center of each watch. These pocket watches have pendant integrated in their case so that they look like stones on the desert.
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Rose des Temps
Table Clock and automaton
1983-84
 

Unique Complication rebus table clock celebrating the arrival of the 3rd millenary. The timepiece is made of 16 modules all interchangeable between them and totalizing 32 functions. To name a few these functions are : Automatic Striking Mecanism, Minute Repeater, a 6 bells (gongs) Westminster Carillon, Perpetual Calendar, the sky in New-York, Sydney, Buenos Aires and Bern, the 4 seasons indicator, Year 2K automaton, a Chronometer, a Thermometer and of course Hours and Minutes.
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Cobra
Pocket Watch
1986-87

Unique pocket watch. Besides the Hours, minutes and seconds (from the Tourbillon) it features a flying Tourbillon and a power reserve indicator.  The Cobra is privately owned.

In SKYFALL, to be released in autumn of 2012, James Bond will take to the screen for the 23rd time with Daniel Craig again assuming the role of the world's favourite secret agent. And once again, 007 will wear an OMEGA Seamaster.
To celebrate its seventh performance in a supporting role in a Bond film, OMEGA is launching the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M"SKYFALL" Limited Edition watch.

Like every Planet Ocean, the new watch is ready for underwater adventure. Equipped with a unidirectional rotating diving bezel and a helium escape valve, the watch is water resistant 60 bar / 600 metres / 2000 feet. The watch has a 42 mm brushed and polished stainless steel case and a matching patented screw-and-pin bracelet whose divers' clasp is engraved with "007". The rotating diving bezel is distinguished by its matt black ceramic ring with a chromium nitride diving scale.
The applied indexes on the matt structured black dial are coated with white Super-LumiNova emitting a blue light as are the polished, facetted rhodium-plated hands. The exception is the minute hand which emits a green light, as does the dot on the diving bezel. This feature makes it easy for divers to keep track of their time at a glance. At the 7 o'clock position is a 007 logo and at 3 o'clock, there is a date window.
The Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL Limited Edition is powered by OMEGA's exclusive new Co-Axial calibre 8507. SKYFALL 007 is on its rotor in black-varnished engraving. The movement is visible through sapphire crystal in the brushed screw-in caseback.
Along with OMEGA's industry-changing Co-Axial technology, the watch is equipped with an "Si14" silicon balance spring. The combination is so stable and reliable that the Planet Ocean comes with a full four-year warranty.
The Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL wristwatch is being produced in an edition limited to 5,007 pieces and is delivered in a special presentation box.

The Omega Black Dial Constellation Calendar watch was gifted to Elvis' longtime friend and confidante Charlie Hodge, a musician who played with Presley and who was honored at the 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Hodge recalls, "… several times I told Elvis how beautiful his watch was... and he took it off his wrist and gave it to me."

The self-winding, center-seconds, water-resistant, stainless steel and pink gold-capped chronometer wristwatch with black dial was produced circa 1960. The winner of this watch, expected to sell for $10,000 - $20,000, will receive a letter of attestation signed by Hodge.
Few watches owned by Elvis remain from this era and considering his professional relationship with Hamilton watches and sizable collection of Hamilton and Rolex watches, this Omega is truly unique.
"This is an important piece of history sure to appeal to Elvis fans, collectors of music memorabilia and watch aficionados," says Evan Zimmermann, President and CEO of Antiquorum.
The Omega Constellation is one of 269 remarkable timepieces, including rare Patek Philippe, Piaget, Ulysse Nardin and Jaeger-LeCoultre wristwatches, to be featured at the auction. A Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 in 18K yellow gold with a custom grey dial is estimated to fetch $450,000 - $ 650,000 and a limited edition Jaeger Le-Coultre Gyrotourbillon in platinum is expected to sell for $ 250,000 - $ 350,000.
The collection will be previewed in New York from June 9 - 11.
www.Antiquorum.com

Omega is proud to introduce the Spacemaster Z-33. Inspired by the iconic "Pilot Line" case shape and equipped with a brand new multifunction quartz movement, calibre 5666 has been designed with modern pilots in mind and artfully combines its ancestor's legendary design with Omega's industry-defining innovation.

The Spacemaster Z-33's case shape cannot be mistaken for that of any other timepiece and in the tradition of Omega's great pilots' watches, it separates its day-to-day timekeeping from its professional functions ergonomically, using state-of-the-art technology.

Designed for pilots
Floating above the digital dial is a set of analogue timekeeping hands that are adjusted by the crown at 3 o'clock. Surrounding the watch are four pushers that, along with the crown, allow full control over the array of digital features. For keeping track of the time these include date, UTC and two time zones (in 12 or 24 hour display), an alarm and a perpetual calendar. Elapsed time is measured with a chronograph function and a countdown timer. Alongside these features are self-programmable professional pilot functions to log up to ten flights and visualise those logs with date-hour indications.

High-technology case, dial and hands
Continuing the high technology feel of the watch, the modern-sized case is manufactured from grade 5 titanium, and features brushed, polished and sandblasted highlights, reminiscent of Omega's pilot case design. The caseback features the polished Omega Seahorse, the O symbol, the word "Speedmaster" and the watch's serial number. The back is fixed in place with four screws and its "double wall" construction acts as a resonance chamber, thus amplifying the sound of the alarm. The Spacemaster Z-33 is fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides to provide a clear view of the display regardless of the conditions. The watch is water resistant to 3 bar / 30 metres / 100 feet.

The Spacemaster Z-33 has a non-reflective matt black dial with white Omega name and logo and featuring the words "Spacemaster" and "Z-33" in white. The white indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova, as are the skeletonised hour and minute hands. The elements coated with Super-LumiNova emit a green glow in low light conditions.
The dial features two large display panels for the digital functions. These screens have black backgrounds with red digital segments and use transreflective LCD technology to provide easy reading in all light conditions.
The new design incorporates skeletonised hands to help the wearer view the digital displays below them. By simply depressing the pusher at the 8 o'clock position, the hands are disengaged to either 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock, allowing the wearer an unobstructed view of the digital information.

On your wrist in the cockpit
The Spacemaster Z-33 is supplied with a black rubber strap with the inscriptions "Omega" and "Speedmaster" in red. It is also available on a brown "Soft Touch" leather strap. The black rubber strap features a model-specific Titanium folding clasp (grade 5 for all the visible parts and grade 2 for the moving parts). The brown "Soft Touch" leather strap is secured to the wrist by a standard grade 5 titanium folding clasp (again with grade 2 titanium used for the moving parts of the clasp). Both clasps bear the Omega logo.
The digital displays is automatically regulated by their transreflective technology, which takes into account ambient light, allowing the digital data to be read as easily on night flights as in direct sunlight. This technology also helps conserve battery power. In dark conditions the Super-LumiNova provides a green glow for the analogue time measurement hands allowing them to be distinct enough not to interfere with the digital

A very special and highly useful additional detail that underlines the Spacemaster's professional heritage & distinction is the fact that its digital display can be read under all conditions, even for wearers with polarized glasses.
The watch is delivered in a special presentation box which includes a detailed manual.
Respecting the past, defining the future
The Omega Spacemaster Z-33 carries on the traditions of robust reliability and innovation that have always defined Omega's watches. Coupled with specific functions desired by professional pilots, Omega's new thermo-compensated quartz calibre 5666 is particularly dedicated to them, providing them with the combination great accuracy and functionality they need in the cockpit.
With the launch of the Spacemaster Z-33, Omega has re-introduced a professional pilots' watch, combining the legendary look of the past with cutting-edge watchmaking features.
It is sure to be one of the most welcomed and talked-about releases of 2012.

So much has been written about the rigorous testing that led to the Omega Speedmaster's being the only watch qualified for every manned NASA mission that it is easy to forget that the very first Omega worn in Space was the Speedmaster that astronaut Wally Schirra wore during his Mercury Atlas 8 mission in October of 1962. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Speedmaster to orbit the earth, OMEGA has created the Speedmaster "First Omega in Space" in honour of Wally Schirra and his historic wristwatch.

The Omega Speedmaster "First Omega in Space" edition recalls the watch that Schirra bought at a jeweller in Houston more than half a century ago. Inside its 39.70 mm polished, brushed stainless steel case is the legendary self-winding calibre 1861, which earned its reputation as the movement in the legendary Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. There is a black aluminium bezel ring with a tachymetric scale.
Visible through its box-form, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is the classic varnished black dial that for 55 years has made the Speedmaster the world's definitive chronograph: the 30-minute and 12-hour counters are located at 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock respectively and the small seconds sub-dial is at 9 o'clock. It has white transferred indexes; the hour markers and hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.
The watch has a screw-in stainless steel caseback which is embossed with Omega's original seahorse emblem, the words "THE FIRST OMEGA IN SPACE" and "OCTOBER 3, 1962", the date of the Mercury Atlas 8 mission. The Speedmaster "First Omega in Space" is a numbered edition and its number is engraved on the caseback.

The Omega Speedmaster "First Omega in Space" chronograph is presented on a brown leather strap with beige stitching. The watch is water resistant to 5 bar / 50 metres/ 167 feet. This classic Speedmaster is a fitting way to celebrate the beginning of an adventure that would ultimately lead to six lunar landings and half a century of space exploration.

To celebrate fifty years of James Bond films, OMEGA is releasing a special update of the incredibly popular Seamaster Diver 300m James Bond watch which has been worn by 007 in every adventure since GoldenEye. The James Bond 007 50th Anniversary Collector's Piece has been created in two sizes, 41 mm and 36.25 mm.
The cases of the watches are made of stainless steel and they feature ceramic bezel rings with diving scales in matt chromium nitride with the number "50" in red as a reminder that the watch is celebrating a very special anniversary.

Each version of the watch is presented on a classic brushed and polished OMEGA-patented screwand- pin stainless steel bracelet.
The lacquered black dial features a 007 monogram. The 41 mm version has 11 applied indexes; the 36.35 mm watch has ten with a diamond index at the 7 o'clock position - a reminder that this watch was created to honour the film history of agent 007. The indexes are coated with white Super- LumiNova with a blue emission, allowing ease of reading in all light conditions. There is a date window at 3 o'clock.
Both versions feature OMEGA's calibre 2507 self-winding movement fitted with the revolutionary Co- Axial escapement, the component that has driven a revolution in mechanical watchmaking since it was launched in 1999.

The watch is a certified chronometer. Its screw-in case back is stamped with a gun-barrel design. There is a "bullet" decoration fixed on the rotor that can be viewed through a central sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside. The watch also has a unidirectional rotating bezel. A helium escape valve allows helium atoms to escape during decompression, particularly necessary for professional divers operating from diving bells. As its name suggests, the watch is water resistant up to 300 metres.
The 41 mm version is being produced in a limited edition of 11'007 pieces and the 36.25 mm version in a limited edition of 3'007 pieces.

While some of the advanced features will appeal particularly to divers, the James Bond 007 50th Anniversary Collector's Piece will prove irresistible to fans of 007 and to anyone interested in elegant, distinctive timepieces.
In 2012, EON Productions will release Skyfall, the 23rd film in the franchise, with Daniel Craig in the role of James Bond.

OMEGA celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the first James Bond film with the launch of two commemorative limited edition watches, a press conference and a showcase of props from every James Bond film at its new Westfield Stratford (England) boutique.

The event was opened by OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart, who welcomed media and guests and talked about his brand's relationship with the film franchise. He said, "James Bond is unmatched as a cultural icon and we are excited to be celebrating half a century of great adventure films featuring the world's favourite spy. We are also happy to have the opportunity to display items from every one of those films. I know that the showcase will bring back a lot of cinematic memories." Stephen Urquhart was joined by OMEGA's vice president and head of product development, Jean-Claude Monachon, who introduced two Seamaster Diver watches that OMEGA has released to commemorate the milestone. Released in two sizes, the new Seamaster Diver is distinguished by a red "50" on its diving bezel, a reminder that it is celebrating a special anniversary. Also at the press conference was Lindy Hemming, the Oscar-winning costume designer who chose the OMEGA Speedmaster as 007's watch in GoldenEye in 1995. Asked about her selection of the OMEGA Seamaster with the blue dial, she said "I was convinced that Commander Bond, a Naval man, a diver, and a discreet gentleman of the world would wear this watch as opposed to the one everyone expected me to use."

She added, "I had also known contemporaries when I was in my twenties who were military and naval, and some who worked in field of energy and electricity, who all swore by their Omegas. Therefore, as one of the early tasks in designing the new Bond, Pierce Brosnan, I went to a props and hand props meeting and argued for the use of Omega, which I had of course first investigated to make sure they would be interested in placing their watches on Bond!" Bond film props and gadgets on display The showcase which opened on Wednesday features props from all 22 previously released Bond films. The Parahawk from The World is Not Enough is displayed outside the boutique; it attracted considerable attention from shoppers in the mall who were pleased to enter the boutique to see a wide range of props that includes a Dom Perignon champagne bottle from Dr. No, a flask bomb used in A View to Kill, super-villain Jaws' teeth from The Spy Who Loved Me and Bond's piton gun from GoldenEye.

The showcase continues through Friday February 24th at the OMEGA Boutique at the Stratford Westfield Mall and is open to the public.

One of the brightest new stars in OMEGA's Constellation family is the Co-Axial 27 mm in 18 Ct red gold. It is not only uncompromisingly elegant but equipped with the brand's proprietary Co-Axial calibre 8521, from OMEGA's family of mechanical movements widely considered to be among the world's finest.

The luxurious timepiece's brushed case with polished claws is crafted from 18 Ct red gold. The matching bracelet has brushed links and polished bars set with 144 full-cut diamonds totalling 0.54 carat. The bezel is paved with 32 full-cut diamonds with a total weight of 0.50 carat. The screw-in caseback features a sapphire crystal that reveals the perfection of the Co-Axial movement inside.
The mother-of-pearl dial is completed with, appropriately, a constellation of applied 18 Ct red gold stars, some that are raised and others with a recessed profile. There is a trapezoidal date window at 3 o'clock. The polished and facetted 18 Ct gold hour and minute hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova, making them easy to read even in limited lighting conditions.
The Co-Axial movement at the heart of the Constellation is equipped with OMEGA's Si 14 silicon balance spring. The dimensions of the movement have allowed OMEGA to introduce its proprietary Co-Axial technology in a 27 mm wristwatch for the first time. The combination of the Co-Axial calibre 8521 and the silicon balance spring offers so much stability that OMEGA offers the stunning timepiece with a four-year warranty.
The OMEGA Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm is water resistant to 10 bar / 100 metres / 330 feet. An 18 Ct yellow gold model is also available. The OMEGA Constellation Co-Axial 27 mm was designed for the woman who cares as much about the mechanical movement inside the case as she does for its breathtaking beauty.

The OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8605/8615 is the first of OMEGA's proprietary movements to be equipped with a GMT complication, meaning that along with the central hour, minute and seconds hands, there is a GMT hand which completes one rotation every 24 hours, making it possible to keep track of the time in two time zones.
 
The 43 mm case is available in a choice of metals: 18 Ct red gold or stainless steel or, in a bicolor version in 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel. The sapphire crystal on the screw-in caseback allows a clear view of the extraordinary Co-Axial movement inside. The watch is available with either a bracelet in the same metal as the watch case or with a black, brown or blue leather strap.

The dial is distinguished by the teak pattern associated with the Aqua Terra collection. The vertical lines are reminiscent of the wooden decks on luxury boats. The applied 18 Ct gold brushed and polished indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova and the facetted hands are crafted from 18 Ct white or red gold. Like the indexes, they are coated with white Super-LumiNova which allows ease of reading in all light conditions. The GMT hand's red arrow makes it easy to distinguish the two time zones.
At the heart of the Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT is the Co-Axial calibre 8605/8615. It is part of the family of movements OMEGA introduced in 2007 built around the first practical new watch escapement to be developed in some 250 years. The Co -Axial escapement in the OMEGA calibres is used in conjunction with a free sprung-balance and its function differs considerably from that of a conventional lever escapement with index.
The watch's rate can be adjusted by modifying the moment of inertia of the balance by means of two gold regulating micro screws embedded in the circular balance. This design avoids the disturbing effects of contact between the balance-spring and the index pins and therefore ensures that the stability of rate offered by the Co-Axial escapement is maintained over long periods of use. The result is reduced friction which means that there is almost no need for lubrication; the Co-Axial calibres have long service intervals and the Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT, which is also equipped with a silicon balance spring, is delivered with a four-year warranty.
 
The OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8605/8615 is the first in the family to be equipped with a GMT complication. Its GMT hand has a diamond-polished red arrow, making it easy to track time in a second time zone or GMT display. Intriguingly, the GMT hand can also be used for compass orientation: when the watch is held parallel to the ground with its hour hand pointed in the direction of the sun, the GMT hand, when it is adjusted to the same time on the 24-hour GMT display, will indicate north in the northern hemisphere.

With the Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT, OMEGA introduces a new member of its exclusive Co-Axial family of movements. The OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8605/8615 is the first of OMEGA's proprietary movements to be equipped with a GMT complication, meaning that along with the central hour, minute and seconds hands, there is a GMT hand which completes one rotation every 24 hours, making it possible to keep track of the time in two time zones.
The 43 mm case is available in a choice of metals: 18 Ct red gold or stainless steel or, in a bicolor version in 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel. The sapphire crystal on the screw-in caseback allows a clear view of the extraordinary Co-Axial movement inside. The watch is available with either a bracelet in the same metal as the watch case or with a black, brown or blue leather strap.

The dial is distinguished by the teak pattern associated with the Aqua Terra collection. The vertical lines are reminiscent of the wooden decks on luxury boats. The applied 18 Ct gold brushed and polished indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova and the facetted hands are crafted from 18 Ct white or red gold. Like the indexes, they are coated with white Super-LumiNova which allows ease of reading in all light conditions. The GMT hand's red arrow makes it easy to distinguish the two time zones.
At the heart of the Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT is the Co-Axial calibre 8605/8615. It is part of the family of movements OMEGA introduced in 2007 built around the first practical new watch escapement to be developed in some 250 years. The Co -Axial escapement in the OMEGA calibres is used in conjunction with a free sprung-balance and its function differs considerably from that of a conventional lever escapement with index. The watch's rate can be adjusted by modifying the moment of inertia of the balance by means of two gold regulating micro screws embedded in the circular balance. This design avoids the disturbing effects of contact between the balance-spring and the index pins and therefore ensures that the stability of rate offered by the Co-Axial escapement is maintained over long periods of use. The result is reduced friction which means that there is almost no need for lubrication; the Co-Axial calibres have long service intervals and the Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT, which is also equipped with a silicon balance spring, is delivered with a four-year warranty.
The OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8605/8615 is the first in the family to be equipped with a GMT complication. Its GMT hand has a diamond-polished red arrow, making it easy to track time in a second time zone or GMT display. Intriguingly, the GMT hand can also be used for compass orientation: when the watch is held parallel to the ground with its hour hand pointed in the direction of the sun, the GMT hand, when it is adjusted to the same time on the 24-hour GMT display, will indicate north in the northern hemisphere.

In the closing event of the PGA European Tour, the Dubai World Championship, Spanish golfer Álvaro Quirós - who signed a partnership agreement with Concord in September 2011 - made a magnificent showing to win the title on Sunday December 11th. He finished at 19 under par after carding successive rounds of 68, 64, 70 and 67, ahead of a star-studded field including world number 1 Luke Donald, who took third place. The crowd went wild at the end of a nail-biting fourth round that Quirós completed with an incredible eagle on the 18th hole (having done the same in the second round)! 
 

This outstanding achievement has earned him the admiration of golf enthusiasts around the world who have been following this showcase event with keen interest, naturally including the brand's agent in Dubai, Ahmed Seddiqi represented by Mr Mohammed Seddiqi, CEO Christophe Nicaise and Concord Regional Sales Manager Abdallah Mouaffak made a point of personally visiting the event to congratulate Quirós on his stellar performance.
 

Having started the year in the same country and on an equally positive note by notching his fifth European Tour title in February 2011 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic (a win that featured a stunning hole-in-one in the final round), Quirós is looking forward to the upcoming season and to the fresh challenges that await him in 2012.
 

Álvaro Quirós was introduced to the game of golf at the age of nine by his father, who later persuaded him to focus on his golf game rather than his other passion, football. At the age of 19 Alvaro had a handicap of +1 and won a scholarship to the Joaquin Blume Center for High Performance in Madrid where the top Spanish athletes go to study. During this time he was selected for the Spanish under-21 golf team that won the European Masters title. After turning professional in 2004, he achieved his first significant win at the Morson International Pro-Am Challenge in 2006. This win was followed by the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2007, the Portugal Masters in 2008 and the Commercialbank Qatar Masters in 2009. His most recent and important victories came in the 2010 Spanish Open, and in the 2011 Omega Dubai Desert Classic - his fifth European Tour title which featured a memorable hole-in-one during the final round.

At 6'3", Quirós is the longest hitter on the European tour and has topped the driving distance category in the Genworth Financial Statistics for three consecutive years - 2007, 2008 and 2009. As a youngster, Alvaro was taken under the wing of the great player and teacher Pedro Tineo who sensed the boy's talent and devoted many hours to helping him hone is technique. Quirós is now coached by former Ryder Cup player and four-time European Tour Champion Jose Riverso, whom Alvaro credits with having the best influence on his career performance to date. When asked recently to describe his sports philosophy, forged through experiences that include many successes but also unexpected setbacks and injuries, Alvaro said, "Uno de mis objetivos en la vida es disfrutarla en todo momento aunque no sea facil. Tener exito en mi trabajo y tener buenas personas a mi alrededor. ("One of my goals in life is to enjoy every moment even when things are not easy. I naturally wish to be successful in my job and to have good people around me.")

Such a statement clearly reveals that behind this rising golf star lies an eminently approachable young man with a pleasant demeanor who is deeply grounded in family values. As he explains, "I know my father, mother and brother are always there for me and they are my platform, the center of my universe". Quirós currently resides in Cadiz near his birth town of Guadiaro. He enjoys music, spending time with friends, and is an avid sports fan with a longstanding devotion to the Atletico Madrid football team. Determined to maintain a balanced approach to his life and his sport, he says: "I would like to be remembered as a long-hitting champion with many titles, but most of all as a good and fair human being."

Concord is genuinely proud of this promising new affiliation with Álvaro Quirós, who "likes the design of Concord watches because they are very elegant while still young and fresh." He will be ably representing the brand on golf links around the world - and at various press events where he will be able to share his enthusiasm for his discipline with golf aficionados around the globe.   Both partners in this association are engaged in fields where patience and perseverance are matched by boldness and inventiveness - and this winning match between the worlds of watch-making and golfing appears set to bring some exciting results. Watch this space…

Being a direct neighbour to world famous boutiques of Louis Vuitton, Omega, Van Cleef & Arpels, the distinguished customer may, since May 2nd, see, listen and feel some 50 handcrafted master-pieces in a space of 68 m2.

Traditional music boxes, contemporary design objects, singing birds, personalized gifts - 150 years of traditional swiss craftsmanship are here to proof that this traditional manufacturer from the Swiss Jura has established itselfs at the top of individual luxury brands.

First part 1957 -1969 (second part for the end of the year)
Bilingual book: ENG / FRA

Complete guide, full of useful information, allowing you to start a collection or continue one confidently: The OMEGA Speedmaster is a watch whose appearance, functions and history awaken a feeling of fascination and fulfilment in us.
This guide starts by some key dates followed by some questions and answers on the brand, the model, the case, the lugs, push-buttons, case backs, etc.. all necessary detail in order to identify a real Speedmaster.
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OMEGA has created a special watch - the Hour Vision Blue - in support of ORBIS International's fight against preventable blindness. Working closely with OMEGA on the project is actor and brand ambassador Daniel Craig.

The elegant Hour Vision
The OMEGA Hour Vision Blue wristwatch is a special edition of the stunning Hour Vision. It has a 360° see-through case-body which is set in a robust 41 mm stainless steel outer case.
The Hour Vision Blue is equipped with OMEGA's Co-Axial calibre 8500, the movement that signalled a revolution in series-produced mechanical watchmaking. The self-winding watch is an officially certified chronometer, a testimony to its precision and performance. Its Co-Axial escapement on three levels means that the hour hand can be adjusted independently of the minute and seconds hands - ideal for travellers who regularly need to change time zones.
The Co-Axial movement can be observed through sapphire crystal in the polished, screwed caseback. The Hour Vision Blue is water resistant to 10 bar / 100 metres / 330 feet.
Adding distinction to the timepiece is its sun-brushed blue dial designed especially for the appropriately named Hour Vision Blue. It has 18 Ct white gold facetted hour, minute and seconds hands and features a date window at 3 o'clock. The OMEGA Hour Vision Blue is presented on a black leather strap.

OMEGA and ORBIS International
OMEGA will donate a minimum of a million dollars to ORBIS International over the next four years and looks forward to its partnership with a remarkable organization that has carried out programs in 88 countries and trained some 250,000 health care professionals while delivering quality eye care to more than 12 million individuals around the world.

WORLDTEMPUS - 23 December 2010

George Daniels is considered by many "the greatest living watchmaker." This extraordinary - if fictional - title is not undeserved: Daniels, now 84 years old, made all his watches by hand; he invented new and important elements to add to horology's collective knowledge; and he has passed on his acquired know-how in both writings and teachings.
The element Daniels is probably most famous for is the co-axial escapement that Omega now uses in the lion's share of its movements. Daniels celebrated this escapement not only in his own Millennium wristwatch series (completed with Roger Smith's help). It also continues to live on in Roger Smith's own handmade bespoke watches.
Smith was Daniels's only apprentice, and it is he who carries the torch of traditional English watchmaking. The visuals of the new Co-Axial Anniversary Edition, designed by both masters and manufactured in Smith's Isle of Man workshop, are based on Daniels's 1994 one-off tourbillon chronograph pocket watch. The manually wound movement is fully styled according to traditional English watchmaking: gold-plated, frosted surfaces emphasize the free-sprung balance and - naturally - the co-axial escapement. The time, date, and power reserve displays of this 35-piece limited edition housed in a 40 mm case are found on a hand-guilloche solid silver dial with 18-karat gold chapters. "Simplicity is seen as the keynote of enduring beauty," Daniels and Smith sum up.

WORLDTEMPUS - 28 October 2010

Luigi Macaluso, affectionately called Gino by those who knew him, led a multicultural life and can lay claim to having successfully resuscitated the Girard-Perregaux brand, integrating it into a group and making it a major independent player in the haute horlogerie scene.
Having been a successful rally driver and obtaining a degree in architecture - a sure sign of the Italian national's good taste - Macaluso, born in 1948, took a job with Omega's new Italian subsidiary in 1975. In 1982, he founded his own company, Tradema, and became a watch wholesaler in Italy for brands as reputed Breitling. One of the brands he sold through Tradema was Girard-Perregaux, and it wasn't long before he was offered shares in the Swiss brand. A few short years later, the entire company was proposed to him, and thus it came about that he went to La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1992 to polish up a grand old name as its owner.

Macaluso had a place of residence in Switzerland's third largest French-speaking city, but he always retained an apartment in Turin and a farm in Tuscany.
Macaluso's systematic acquisition of property around the main Girard-Perregaux factory building located on Place Girardet made it possible to cleanly separate production workshops, representation space, and management offices for his group's two watch brands Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard from each other while keeping them connected by short pathways. Villa JeanRichard and its museum for tools and tooling machines is located just a few steps away from the Girard-Perregaux Museum within Villa Marguerite, and in between them the main factory and manufacturing buildings pretty much take up the rest of the block. Acquisition of suppliers for case and bracelet manufacture and the consistent quest for quality in Girard-Perregaux's own four manufacture movements combined with prestigious strategic alliances such as Ferrari and the BMW Oracle returned Girard-Perregaux to its former status. This was aided by the creation and continuation of historical delicacies such as the Three Golden Bridges Tourbillon and the Laureato line.
Macaluso's two sons (he is also survived by two daughters) joined his company close to a decade ago. Massimo (who also raced cars like his father) is currently president of JeanRichard, while Stefano (who studied architecture in Turin) became vice-president of Girard-Perregaux a few years ago.
Macaluso sold 23 percent of the Sowind Group's capital to PPR in 2008. PPR owns such prestigious brands as Gucci, Boucheron, and Bedat. Boucheron's prestigious jewelry designs are powered exclusively by Girard-Perregaux's manufacture movements.

WORLDTEMPUS - 25 June 2010

I remember walking down Washington Street in downtown Boston, that city's "jewelry district," and seeing a white-dialed Breitling Premier shining under the lights in a shop. This was during my Hamilton period, and the $1,200 that they wanted for the watch was more than I could imagine spending at the time. I remember being impressed by how smoothly the chronograph pushers worked and how great the dial and case looked. I later enjoyed owning both the white and black dial versions of the Premier. I feel compelled to note that Breitling offered many interesting chronographs in the 1990s and early 2000s—such as the Spatiographe, which displays the elapsed minutes in digital format on a wheel, exactly the way most watches display the date except that it was the chronograph minutes that were displayed. The Montbrillant Eclipse and the Navitimer Twin Sixty are other models from the 1990s that are quite interesting and now rare.

One of the most iconic watches of our generation is the Chronoswiss Opus. It was seeing this watch on the cover of Wristwatch Annual in 2000 that made me buy the book. I never did buy the watch, but that copy of Wristwatch Annual, which I perused so many times that the binding fell apart, really accelerated my watch collecting by exposing me to countless new brands and models. The Opus is aptly named and the watch could serve as a fine holy grail, though—amazingly—it is not priced like most other horological hall-of-famers. Note to self: buy the Chronoswiss Opus to celebrate writing my first articles for Worldtempus.com!
Alain Silberstein offers singularly styled watches, almost always with interesting complications (like his Smileday, which allows you to display your mood with various emoticons in an aperture on the dial—long before "emoticons" was even a word). I love how he playfully blends all of the colors and uses curvy hands. The Alain Silberstein Krono Bauhaus with complete calendar was always on my radar, but, alas, never my wrist.

Finally, my own personal mother of all gaps is the IWC Portuguese Automatic Chronograph in steel (reference 3714). I have probably tried it on 50 times and never pulled the trigger. This watch with silver dial and rose gold hands and markers is the best looking watch of all time. In my formative collecting years, I found it too difficult to choose between the black dial and silver dial…so I bought neither. I've gone on to own watches much more expensive, but none more beautiful than the Portuguese. Every time I see one, its beauty gives me pause. There must be some reason I never returned to fill that gap. Maybe, just maybe, that watch is my personal Alpha and Omega.
In my estimation, it is a rare collector that has collected for any length of time and does not have similar gaps in his or her own collecting history. I invite you to look back over your own experience and spend a few minutes remembering the watches that you yearned for, but never owned. It's never too late. And if you have been collecting for a while, you may find that the watches that you regret never owning are now discontinued. This just makes filling in those old gaps more fun as you can look forward to some excellent adventures. Late-night detective work online is always fun, as are visits to local watch stores, flea markets, yard sales and maybe even travelling to watch shows: in pursuit, and hopefully conquest, of filling in those gaps. Good luck and good hunting.

The Constellation Double Eagle watches have long celebrated OMEGA's close relationship with the Royal and Ancient Game of golf. The Double Eagle is a robust watch for all seasons, with its screw-in case helping to guarantee water resistance to 100 metres (330 feet, 10 bar) - but it is as fashionable as it is sporty.
This year, the popular line is extended with the introduction of the OMEGA Constellation Double Eagle Co-Axial 4-Counters.
This stunning watch is powered by OMEGA's Co-Axial calibre 3890 and is a COSC-certified chronometer.

Four counters, or sub-dials, are appealingly arranged in a staggered row across the dial. From left to right, they feature the small seconds, a seven-day counter, a 12-hour counter and a 30-minute counter. Just above the centre of the watch is a window which shows the day of the week.
Like the other members of the family, the Constellation Double Eagle 4-Counters has a sporty dial in matt black with contrasting counters. The stainless steel Double Eagle 4-Counters has an integrated black rubber strap with a satin-brushed stainless steel foldover clasp.
The attention to detail in the design of the Double Eagle 4-Counters is reflected by its 18 Ct white gold facetted hour markers, facetted and truncated Dauphine hands, and applied OMEGA symbol and name.  
A date window at 6 o'clock completes the dial, which is protected by a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The screw-in transparent sapphire crystal case back reveals OMEGA's revolutionary Co-Axial movement.  
The Double Eagle 4-Counters is equipped with a black aluminium bezel with silver Arabic numerals.  
The Constellation Double Eagle 4-Counters blends rugged performance and reliability with a distinctive flair - this is a watch which is equally at home on the course or on the town. And the dramatic arrangement of four counters on the dial reminds you: this is an OMEGA!

· Third-best year in the Swatch Group history with Group gross sales of CHF 5 421 million, a decrease of -6.3% on a comparable basis (at constant exchange rates and excluding 2008 divestments of Sokymat and Michel).
· Significant rebound in sales in the second half of 2009, with a phenomenal record month of December, which also was the best month in 2009.
· Watch segment sales with a decrease at constant rates of -5.5% largely outperformed Swiss Watch Federation export sales 2009, gaining market shares for the Group in practically all price segments and markets.
· Production segment with sales decrease mainly due to order cancellations and a change in product mix.
· Electronic Systems segment sales -14.5% lower than last year (excluding 2008 divestments of Sokymat and Michel), but steadily improving in the fourth quarter 2009 with increasing order inflow.
· Improved operating profit margin and net income compared to the first half year expected; Group very confident of further increases in sales and margins in 2010.
· Omega's mission as official timekeeper at the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver and the Swatch Art Peace Hotel opening mid 2010 in Shanghai are two of the highlights to come, as well as significant developments of new products in most of the brands and new production systems in Switzerland.
Group Overview
After the known market decline in late 2008 and early 2009, with a worldwide recession and a sharp drop in consumer spending, most markets recovered from the financially stressed environment in the second half of the year. The last months of 2009 showed a very positive development, with clear signs of market normalization and increased consumer confidence. To some degree, the economic crisis 2009 has separated the wheat from the chaff. This applies especially to the watch industry, where values such as brand awareness, tradition, history and high-quality products count more than ever. Consumers are looking for value and quality.
The Swatch Group, with its large range of products in all price segments, increased its market share in most markets and regions. In this challenging year, the Group achieved gross sales of CHF 5 421 million, a decrease of only -6.3% on a comparable basis (at constant exchange rates and excluding last year's divestments of Sokymat and Michel). This still represents the third-best result in the Swatch Group history. While the first half year saw a significant decline, sales picked up in the second half and just exceeded - in local currencies - sales of the second half of 2008.
b Christmas sales clearly beat expectations and December turned out to be the best-ever month of December in terms of sales. The fourth quarter 2009 - expressed in Euro terms - performed at +7.1% at actual rates and +11.1% at constant rates. Foreign currencies negatively impacted sales by CHF 105 million or -1.8%, mainly in the second half of 2009. Especially the Euro, the British Pound and the Russian Ruble negatively impacted sales compared to previous year rates. The US Dollar had practically no impact, while the Chinese Yuan and the Japanese Yen influenced sales positively. Increasing watch demand in several markets compensated decreases in other markets and helped the segment Watches & Jewelry to achieve a remarkable result in 2009. The Production and Electronic Systems segments, on the other hand, were confronted with weaker demand and realized lower sales than in the previous year.
 
Expected earnings 2009 and Outlook 2010
The Group expects that the operating profit margin and net income for the full year 2009 will improve compared to the first half of 2009. This improvement will be visible predominantly in the Group's core business, the segment Watches & Jewelry.
With the prospect of a continuous recovery of the economic environment and the new developments realized in the last months, the Group is very confident that further solid organic sales growth will be achieved in the year 2010. A promising trend can be identified, based on the excellent sell-through figures in January 2010 as well as the order entries for the months to come. The positive outlook is also backed by the Group's positioning in all market segments and its broad geographical presence. Consumer spending is expected to see a steady increase in most countries, with a growing middle class mainly in the emerging markets supporting this trend.
A positive impact on sales is also expected from Omega's mission as official timekeeper at the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, starting on 12 February 2010. Omega has been appointed the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games until 2020. Furthermore the opening of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel mid 2010 during the World Exhibition in the fantastic place of Shanghai will represent another milestone for the Group. The increased positive results of the Group's research and development activities will also contribute to further sales growth.

Les Ambassadeurs - Magazine No 5

In spring 2009 at Baselworld, attentive observers noted that the face of fine watchmaking was no longer uniformly circular. The vast majority of round dials was joined by a few amazing UFOs offering masterful variations on the theme of linear time read-off. From the incredible CC1 by Urwerk to Opus IX by Harry Winston and Eric Giroud, along with the splendid Meccanico dG by de Grisogono, Swiss watchmaking suddenly seemed eager to break free of its hands and circular dials in order to prove that sophisticated mechanical horology was not inextricably entwined with a cyclical perception of time.
All of which raises the fundamental question our own relationship with time.

Let's start by ignoring the issue of the nature of time. Neither scientists nor philosophers have ever been able to define it other than in reference to themselves or to a beginning and an end - the limits of which vary with each new discovery. The perception of time is a personal, cultural and historical matter. There are two major schools of thought in this area: that of time as a cyclical phenomenon, and that of linear time.
Any observation of nature spontaneously suggests a cyclical vision of time. The earth spins on its axis and around the sun with absolute regularity. Once this time has been subdivided into precise units, our entire short-term temporal world can be measured. The immutably regular cycle of seasons dictates the periods of activity and rest, of seedtime and harvest. The visible world can be summed up within this endlessly accurate and reassuring process of constant renewal.
Horology was born from this vision of the world and thus naturally adopted the circle as its fundamental element. The figure 12 that dominates all dials is at once and in turn the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. This mechanical rhythm of the hours can be extrapolated to define all the various subdivisions, providing the cadence of the movements enables such measurements.
However, when it comes to defining a perpetual calendar, things are not quite so simple. Despite watchmakers' impressive ingenuity, no existing mechanism appears capable of offering a guarantee of precision extending beyond a few hundred years without any maintenance or adjustment. Is that a question of human incompetence? Definitely not! So let's get back to cyclical time. As soon as we need to move beyond measuring the time the Earth takes to move around the Sun, we are forced to resort to an arbitrary measurement.

While the latter varies according to our culture and our religion, there is nothing at all cyclical about it. We thereby enter the world of linear time. By way of example, this article is written in the year 2009 AD, which means the year 1430 of the Hegira, or Muslim calendar, and the year 5769 of the Jewish calendar. Given the high degree of probability that the events on which these calendars were founded are not reproduced at regular intervals, this means that measurement of our long-term time is in fact linear.
Perhaps you have also noticed that combining a cyclical hour with a linear date results in a necessarily linear combination. Does that mean we must definitively conclude that the flow of time is linear and not cyclical? This is a fundamental question that has fascinated the world's greatest thinkers, from the Greek stoics through to Nietzsche, as well as Pythagoras, Kant and Schopenhauer. And none of them have come up with any conclusive answer!
Religions have enabled humankind to look beyond the units of measurements provided by the sky above them, but have also fixed a beginning and in some cases an end that restricted their horizons. Galileo and Newton pointed out the limits of these theoretical constructions, yet without finding a more global cycle that would encompass previous ones. In 1927, Monsignor Georges Edouard Lemaître provided the world with a whole new paradigm thanks to the Big Bang, which pushed the Alpha of the universe back in time by a massive 14 billion years. Other researchers subsequently came up with an Omega in the form of the Big Crunch, forecast to occur in around 50 billion years' time. All of which provides material on which to build a new linear calendar, but still no means of defining a new cycle summing up the others and anchoring our vision of the world in a lasting and reassuring reality.

Just as an ant is incapable of grasping the round nature of the earth, we will probably never know whether the cycles of our solar system are part of the cycles of our universe as a whole, and whether the cycles of our universe are themselves incorporated within other realities that elude us and always will.
Whatever our level of knowledge, our time will always be subject to a superior linear factor that we must build - a daunting enterprise on the scale of our capacities for thought, but one that is of little importance in our daily lives.
So the regular cycle of the hands on the dials of our mechanical watches will continue to reassure us for many years to come, enabling us to enjoy the illusion that life is an endless circle in which absolutely anything can happen at any moment. And we will therefore be relieved to note that the linear displays provided by contemporary horology are all founded, without exception, on a mechanical base that is quite naturally… cyclical.

October 9th 2009
The Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition unveiled by Omega on Monday is the first model from the brand, and doubtless in the entire watch industry, to contain Liquidmetal. This alloy discovered by researchers at the Californian Institute of Technology is endowed with several distinctive physical properties that have enabled the creation of a bezel alternating satin-brushed zones for the numerals and the minute scale with a polished surface for the ceramic part. Having in the process been granted exclusive rights to the use of this metal in watchmaking, Omega presents a timepiece of which the aesthetic criteria set out in the technical specifications led to the use of an ultra high-tech material.

Used to date in applications such as enhancing the flexibility of Head tennis rackets, the Liquidmetal is extremely different to classic metals. Amorphous rather than crystalline like most other metals, it has a 400°C melting point twice as high as titanium-based alloys, and is three times tougher than stainless steel. Nonetheless, Omega engineers have chosen it first and foremost for its malleability - a quality that enables even the smallest cavities to be perfectly filled thanks to the pressure of the alloy inside. This technology thus paved the way for the visually appealing alternation of metal parts with those made in ceramics and produced by Comadur - a sister company in the Swatch Group.
After presenting last spring a Speedmaster model not yet available on the market but equipped with a split-second chronograph and a ceramic dial, Omega once again introduces a model with a decidedly high-tech face. The shimmering pure dial echoing the bezel lends the watch exceptional depth and intensity, while the attractive dial design strikes a fine balance between vintage spirit and avant-garde styling.
The cogs of the in-house production process seems to be pretty well oiled, since the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquid Limited Edition will be available by the end of the year in a series of 1948 - a nod to the launch date of the Seamaster collection. This relatively generous number is well over that of a "confidential" edition and doubtless heralds other forthcoming developments. The retail price is set at 4,800 Swiss francs excluding tax.

 
Omega has announced the launch of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition, the world's first watch to bond ceramics and Liquidmetal.

Swatch Group researchers collaborating with OMEGA's product development team have created a striking ceramic diving bezel whose numbers and scaling, made of the Liquidmetal alloy, appear in stunning silvery contrast to the black ceramic background. The colour of the ceramic dial perfectly matches that of the bezel. The result is an aesthetic wonder only made possible by several new and innovative processes.
The remarkable world premiere is being launched in a limited edition of 1948 pieces in honour of the year OMEGA launched its popular Seamaster watch line.

Liquidmetal®: seamless bonding, remarkable hardness
The Liquidmetal alloy is an amorphous metal - a metallic material with a disordered, non-crystalline atomic structure. Its fusion temperature is half that of conventional titanium alloys but when it is cooled, its hardness is three times as great as that of stainless steel. Its amorphous structure allows it to bond seamlessly with the ceramic bezel.

The Liquidmetal is a bulk metallic glass alloy consisting of five elements: zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium. A bulk metallic glass can, by virtue of its low critical cooling rate, be formed into a structure with a thickness of more than a tenth of a millimetre. Zirconium is an important constituent part both of the Liquidmetal® alloy and of the ceramic material which is made of zirconium dioxide (Zr02).  
The final, perfectly smooth bezel is particularly resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two components.

The union of ceramics and Liquidmetal® at OMEGA
First, ceramic rings are formed. The numbers and the fine lines of the minute scaling are then engraved into these ceramic bezel rings and polished. The alloy is heated and pressed into the cavities in the ceramic material after which any excess Liquidmetal is removed. The Liquidmetal can be manipulated at a lower temperature than metals normally used in watchmaking so the heating process does not damage the ceramic material.
The Liquidmetal numbers and scales are then satin brushed. Because the ceramic is a harder material than the alloy, the satin brushing of the fine details can be done without affecting the ceramic bezel. The numbers and scaling then appear in bold, vivid contrast to the glossy ceramic background.

Redefining longevity in the watch industry
The OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition, which has a stainless steel case and bracelet, is driven by OMEGA's revolutionary Co-Axial calibre 2500. These movements, which have been heralded for their long-term chronometric performance, are perfectly complemented by the ceramic and Liquidmetal alloy components which are incredibly resistant to corrosion and scratching. The result is pure OMEGA: a design premiere which will retain its appearance indefinitely, blended with innovative Co-Axial technology.

GMT XXL - Summer 2009

THE FIRST WATCH WORN ON THE MOON

The first manned lunar landing on the 20th of July, 1969 was the greatest, most dramatic scientific achievement in human history. Neil Armb stepped onto the moon's surface at 02:56 GMT on the 21st of July. Nineteen minutes later he was joined by Buzz Aldrin, who was wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster and a legend was born. An interesting footnote: the electronic timing system on the Lunar Module was not functioning correctly so Armb had left his watch aboard as a reliable backup. The adventure is celebrated through two OMEGASpeedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition watches: one in stainless steel and (7,969 pieces); the other in platinum and 18K yellow gold (69 pieces).

The distinctive timepieces are powered by OMEGA's caliber 1861, which shares its lineage with the caliber 321 used in the original Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. The stainless steel casebody is delivered with a stainless steel bracelet which has been upgraded to include OMEGA's patented screw and pin system. The black dial also recalls that of the Moon Watch but has some key differences. The small seconds counter (sub-dial) is a medallion which features an adaptation of Apollo 11's famous mission patch: an eagle descends to the lunar surface with an olive branch representing peace in its claws. In the distance, far above the horizon, the earth is visible. The patch, interestingly, was designed by Michael Collins who remained in the Apollo 11 capsule as Command Module Pilot while his colleagues Armb and Aldrin were in the Lunar Module and on the moon.

ONE SMALL STEP

Below the words "OMEGA Speedmaster PROFESSIONAL" on the dial, the legend 02:56 GMT - the exact time that Neil Armb made his "one small step" onto the moon - is displayed in red. The 40th Anniversary Limited Edition's dial is protected by Hesalite, the same robust, shatterproof acrylic crystal found on the original Moon Watch. Hesalite is ideally suited for use in space - there is no chance that it can break apart and send potentially dangerous fragments into the low-gravity environment.

The Apollo 11 "Eagle" mission patch is stamped on the caseback along with the words, "The first watch worn on the moon", the limited edition number (0000/7969), and "July 21, 1969", the date Armb and Aldrin first stepped onto the moon's surface at 02:56, the time which is printed on the dial. The "40th Anniversary" Limited Edition is delivered in a black presentation box which also includes a 42 mm sterling silver medal (the same diameter as the watch) featuring an engraving of the mission patch. Also in the presentation box is a certificate of authenticity and an envelope containing a black polishing cloth printed with information commemorating the historic space flight.

The story of how the OMEGA Speedmaster became the Moonwatch - the only wristwatch approved by NASA for all manned space flights - all began in the early 1960s when two NASA officials anonymously visited several Houston jewelry stores, including Corrigan's, which at the time was the city's best-known watch and jewelry retailer.

The solo-flight Mercury space programme was almost completed (in fact, Wally Schirra had worn his own Speedmaster on his Mercury flight on the 3rd of October, 1962) and NASA was preparing for the Gemini (twoman) and Apollo (three-man) missions. There were plans for the astronauts on these missions to move about in space outside the ship. One of their key pieces of equipment would be a wristwatch which could withstand the difficult conditions of space. Every time an astronaut suspended in the vacuum of space turned his wrist, the watch would suddenly come out of the shade and be exposed to the unfiltered rays of the sun and temperature increases of more than 100°C. On the moon, President Kennedy's and NASA's declared objective, things would be even tougher. NASA ordered two Speedmasters and two each of five other chronographs for "testing and evaluation purposes" on September 29, 1964 The men from NASA bought a series of chronographs of different brands, charged with the task of finding the best watch available for their astronauts to wear in space.

THE ONLY WATCH APPROVED

On March 1, 1965, the test results were complete. Three brands' chronographs had still been in the running. Of those, one brand's entry had stumbled on two separate occasions in the relative humidity test. In the course of the heat-resistance test it finally came to rest for good. The large seconds hand warped and was binding against the other hands.The crystal of the second brand's chronograph had warped and come away from the case during the heat test. The same unfortunate occurrence took place with a second model of the same make during the decompression test.

Only the Omega Speedmaster passed. At the time, NASA's testers wrote, "Operational and environmental tests of the three selected chronographs have been completed; and, as a result of the test, OMEGA chronographs have been calibrated and issued to three members of the GT-3 (Gemini Titan III) crews." What sounds like a reserved, sober announcement was, in fact, the official decree that from that time forward, the Omega Speedmaster would be the only watch approved for all manned space flights and would be become an inextricable part of the OMEGA legacy. As significant was a NASA communique dated March 1st, 1965 which said, "… the astronauts show a unanimous preference for the OMEGA chronograph over the other two brands because of better accuracy, reliability, readability and ease of operation."

ITS CASE IS QUITE SIMPLY UNMISTAKABLE

Omega's love story with the sea has been going on for years, as the world's great sailors and divers will readily testify. As early as 1970, Omega created a watch capable of withstanding the extreme pressures endured by divers working at great depths. This timepiece, the Seamaster 600m, also called "Ploprof" (an abbreviation of the French term plongeurs professionnels, meaning professional divers), is one of the sturdiest, most robust watches best suited to the underwater world ever produced. Equipped with the Omega Co-Axial Caliber 8500, the new Ploprof is COSC-certified and water-resistant to 1200 meters, ingeniously combining the legendary characteristics of its forerunner with the Omega Co-Axial technology.

The case of the Ploprof is simply unmistakable, with its screw-locked protected crown located at 9 o'clock - a unique position that frees wrist movements and avoids any accidental shifting during a dive. Another feature of the Ploprof is the bezel-release security pusher with an orange anodized aluminum ring at 2 o'clock: one press on this pusher enables the user to turn the bezel in either direction and then to lock it firmly into the chosen position. The Ploprof is also equipped with an automatic helium valve on the side of the case at 4 o'clock. This device enabling helium atoms to escape during the decompression phase is particularly useful for professional divers operating in diving chambers. The Ploprof 1200m is available with either a brushed mesh "Sharkproof" strap or a black or orange rubber strap, featuring a double-extension system and equipped with a new safety clasp enabling precise adjustment thanks to 18 different positions.