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 “Omega"
the 24th and the last letter in the Greek alphabet, denotes the
company that is considered as the last word in watch-making. The
company was started in 1848 by 23-year-old Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
After his death in 1879, his sons Louis-Paul and Cesar shifted,
and established the base in Bienne. The transit facilitated better
manpower and energy, far-developed communication and a more courageous
spirit. By 1889, the enterprise became the largest in Switzerland
with 600 employees and a production of 100,000 units per year.
 The
alliance
The economic depression in 1930 led the Brandts to merge Omega with
Tissot to form SSIH — Societe Suisse Pour l'industrie horlogere
(Swiss watch-making industry enterprise). Over the years SSIH grew,
overtaking several other individual watch-making companies. By 1970,
the company with a production of 13.5 million units and a turnover
of 700 million Swiss francs, became numero uno in Switzerland and
the third largest in the world for finished watches. Omega is today
one of the most dynamic and prestigious members of the Swatch group.
Time fighters
 Since
its foundation in 1848, Omega has continuously set the pace in watch-making
history. As early as 1892, the company launched the world's first
minute repeater wristwatch. In 1900, Omega manufactured its first
wristwatch. It was also the first industrially-made watch in the
world. In 1932, Omega produced the world's first diver watch. The
brand has remained a leader in innovation, combining state-of-the-art
technology with fine craftsmanship and styling.
 19"'
Calibre
Post creation of brands like Jura, Helvetia, Gurzelen, the
famous Omega 19"' Calibre pocket watch in 1894 changed the
company into Switzerland's premiere watch manufacturer. Remarkable
for its perfection in construction, the ingenuity of mechanism and
modest price, the brand made the company benchmark its standards
for the Swiss watch industry. It was so popular that the piece was
manufactured till 1967. The company pioneered systems and manufacturing
methods that were adopted progressively by the others over the years.
In the same year, Omega watches started receiving the official rating
certificates from world class observatories.
Beyond Borders
Omega's distribution network covers 130 countries with seven
out of 10 people across the globe familiar with the watch brand.
As early as 1885, the company started establishing markets in Brazil,
Argentina, United States and Canada. By 1909, the brand penetrated
most countries worldwide including China and Japan. It has flagship
stores in Zurich, Cannes, Milan, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Hamburg and
Munich.
Mega precision
Omega chronometers hold the record of being the official timekeeper
of the Olympic Games 21 times over the past century. It is also
a record amongst watch-making companies. Back in 1895, Omega watches,
due to their precision were chosen as the official timepieces of
Chinese railways. Later several other railway companies and airlines
in Switzerland and abroad chose Omega. It has also produced military
watches used by British and American armies during the Second World
War.
Moon watch
Since 1965, Omega's Speedmaster has been the official watch
of NASA. The watch has accompanied several space missions from Gemini
through Apollo to the current shuttle programme. Speedmaster was
worn by Neil Armstrong and is the only piece to be worn on the moon.
Since 1975, Speedmaster is also the official watch of the Russian
cosmonauts. Amelia Earhart wore the Omega wrist chronograph in 1937,
during her attempted flight along the equator. Omega has earned
the "Snoopy Award", the highest distinction of honour
awarded by NASA.
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