If you ask the people around you to name a luxury watch brand that they know aside from Rolex,  the majority of them will probably answer Omega. It is one of the most recognizable watch brands in the world offering all sorts of timekeeping tools from professional diving watches to elegant sports and vintage-inspired timepieces. Not to mention that they have different types of complications to suit all kinds of lifestyles. 

Omega offers various models all made from high-quality materials. If you are looking for an accessory that you can pass down from generation to generation, then get one from its collections. The company designed them to last for many years to come. Join us as we explore the history of the brand and take a closer look at the Omega Constellation and De Ville collections. 

The early history of Omega

The La Generale Watch Co., the founding name of Omega, started operating in Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1848 under the management of Louis Brandt. He bought parts from local craftsmen and assembled them to produce key-wound precision pocket watches. Later on, he would sell them to Italy, Scandinavia, and England. His sons named Loius-Paul and Cesar replaced him in 1894 and continued his legacy. They improved the production control system and in-house manufacturing of the company. As a result, they became capable of producing interchangeable parts. They advertised the watches they developed under the Omega brand which they used as the company name in 1903. 

Omega under the new management

When Louis-Paul and Cesar died in 1903, Paul-Emile Brandt who was not yet 24 at that time replaced them. He became responsible for managing one of Switzerland’s largest watch manufacturers. Due to the economic difficulties caused by World War 1, he decided to merge with Omega and Tissot. In 1930, it then became a part of the group SSIH, Geneva. Under his management, the SSIH Group continued to grow and absorb more companies that manufactured some of the most famous chronograph movements of Omega. During 1970, the group became the number one producer of watches in Switzerland and ranked third worldwide. During that time, Omega generated higher sales than Rolex even if the latter had a higher price point. 

Notable inventions of Omega

Omega invested a huge amount of money in research and development. As a result, it introduced some of the most notable inventions and patents in the history of watchmaking. In 1892 it manufactured the very first minute repeating wristwatch in the world in partnership with Audemars Piguet. More than a century after that, it launched the first tourbillon wristwatch caliber in the world. Instead of featuring cages that rotate per minute, they had cages that can rotate every seven and a half minutes.  

Omega collections to buy watch models from

Omega Constellation

The Omega Constellation contains the dress watches offered by the company. If you are looking for a refined and sophisticated timepiece that you can boast to your friends and family, it is best to get one from this collection. It has extensive watch options to choose from with varying design, metal materials, and complications. Take a look at some of its models below. 

• Omega Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer

The company launched the Omega Constellation in 1952 as a tribute to the Lockheed Constellation aircraft that made significant contributions during World War II. Throughout the years, a lot of watch generations existed. The current collection features more than a hundred different models available in different sizes to fit both men and women. This Co-Axial Master Chronometer model has a stainless steel case measuring 39 mm. The dial features Roman numerals and to complete the look it has a stainless steel bracelet. You can purchase it for $6 050 only.

• Constellation Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer

The constellation Globemaster Co-axial Master Chronometer is one of the favorites of watch collectors and enthusiasts because of its pie-pan dials. It is available in different materials like steel, yellow, and Sedna gold, and all of them have a bi-metal tone. It has a stainless case diameter of  39 mm paired with a leather strap. It can tell the time of the day due to its co-axial chronometer caliber 8900. Get it for only $6 900.

• Constellation Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer with an annual calendar

If you want a timepiece with an annual calendar as a complication, then this model is for you. It means that it is capable of telling the hour, day, date, and month of the year aside from displaying the time of the day. It automatically adjusts itself so you no longer have to change anything on the timepiece every year. It has a large Sedna gold case measuring 41 mm. IT has a blue leather strap and a durable co-axial master chronometer caliber 8932. It has a very affordable price tag amounting to $3 750.

Omega De Ville

The Omega De Ville collection became available for sale in 1960. Initially, it was part of the Seamaster collection but became independent in 1967. It contains some of the most innovative models released by the company. Below are some of the intricate pieces that you can purchase today.

• De Ville Tourbillon

The De Ville Prestige is one of the very special watches offered by Omega. It is available in a limited number of pieces only so it has a higher price tag than other watch models. It features a 44 mm 18k Sedna gold case, centrally-mounted tourbillon, and sun-brushed dial paired with a blue leather strap. Inside of the watch, you can see the Co-Axial caliber 2638. Its price tag is unimaginably high amounting to $156 000.

• De Ville Prestige

The De Ville Prestige is available in different colors namely white, red gold, and yellow. Each of them features a unique white enamel dial and Arabic numeral hour markers. It is the right watch for you if you appreciate vintage aesthetics. It has a case diameter of 39.5 mm, a bracelet made from leather or stainless steel, and a co-axial caliber 2500. Get it now for only $3 750.

In Conclusion

All of the listed collections and watch models are worthy to be a part of your collections. They have great features that you can take pride in. To discover more models from the brand, visit WatchShopping.com!