Omega

History

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Timeline

Omega's recorded dates, dated events from this profile and its sources, and dated pieces and sales from the object catalogue. Dates are as each record gives them.

1. 1848 · Career

   Louis Brandt opened a watch assembly workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1848, which later relocated to Biel/Bienne in 1880.

   Profile text · see Sources

2. 1894 · Career

   Growing from a La Chaux-de-Fonds assembly workshop into a large Biel factory, Omega built its reputation on the interchangeable 19-line calibre of 1894, strong observatory trial results, official sports timekeeping and chronographs associated with space flight.

   Profile text · see Sources

3. 1894 · Career

   The company operated as Louis Brandt & Fils before incorporating the Omega brand in 1894, eventually becoming the Omega Watch Co. in 1903.

   Profile text · see Sources

4. 1894 · Career

   The 1894 Omega calibre with fully interchangeable parts and setting from the crown

   Profile text · see Sources

5. 1894 · Career

   The Omega 19-line calibre, introduced in 1894, featured a system of total production control that ensured interchangeable parts.

   Profile text · see Sources

6. circa 1900–1902 · Catalogued piece

   Omega 19-Ligne Open-Face Pocket Watch

   Provenance: Catawiki

7. 1910 · Catalogued piece

   Omega 18ct gold half-hunting cased pocket watch retailed by Weir & Sons

   Provenance: Bellmans

8. 1927 · Catalogued piece

   Omega 9ct Yellow Gold Full Hunter Pocket Watch

   Provenance: Fellows

9. January 9, 1929 · Sale

   Omega Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch with Portrait of Ras Tafari: original sale recorded

   Recorded by Antiquorum

10. circa 1930 · Catalogued piece

    Omega Observatory Chronometer Calibre 60.8

    Provenance: Auktionen Dr. Crott

11. circa 1952 · Catalogued piece

    Omega Caliber 30T2SC Wristwatch in Dennison Case

    Provenance: Second Hand Horology

12. 1970 · Catalogued piece

    Omega Electronic f300Hz Chronometer Watch CD 198.001

    Provenance: Second Hand Horology

Current watchmaking & later fate

• As of 1998, Omega is a subsidiary of the Swatch Group, and it maintains its headquarters in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
• The company operates a global network of over 350 boutiques as of 2024.
• Current product lines include the Constellation, Seamaster, Speedmaster, and De Ville collections.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-10-27. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Key models

Speedmaster

The Speedmaster chronograph was first introduced in 1957 and later became known as the first watch worn on the Moon.

Seamaster

Introduced in 1948, the Seamaster is the longest-running product line produced by Omega, originally inspired by designs for the British Royal Navy.

Seamaster Railmaster

First launched in 1957, the Railmaster is a modernized take on the original antimagnetic watch designed for those working near magnetic fields.

Seamaster Ploprof 1200m

Originally launched in 1969, the Ploprof 1200m continues the company's line of heavy-duty tool watches for deep underwater use.

Major innovations

• The 1894 Omega calibre with fully interchangeable parts and setting from the crown
• Co-axial escapement production from the late 1990s
• The Omega 19-line calibre, introduced in 1894, featured a system of total production control that ensured interchangeable parts.

Known markings

• 'Omega Watch Co.' and the Ω symbol
• Calibre number inside the movement
• Reference number inside the case back
• The brand name Omega was officially registered on March 10, 1894.

Serial numbers

Movement serial numbers correspond to published approximate production years, and the company archive can issue extracts for individual watches.

Collecting significance

Reference, calibre, dial originality and case sharpness dominate; redialled and service-replaced parts are common on much-used models.

In the object catalogue

178 catalogued objects are recorded under Omega. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

• 1916 Omega Signal Corps U.S.A. Trench WatchMilitary & trench watch · 1916
• 1944 Omega Red Star Gent's WatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1944
• 1945 Omega Cal. R17.8 Tank Case WristwatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1945
• 1958 Omega Seamaster Chronometer Automatic (Ref. 2984 1SC)Automatic wristwatch · 1958
• 1964 Omega Constellation 14k Gold ChronometerAutomatic wristwatch · 1964
• 1969 Omega Seamaster Chronometer Day-Date (Ref. 166.023)Calendar & moon-phase watch · 1969
• Lady's 14k gold Omega manual wind wristwatchJewellery & cocktail watch
• Model of co-axial escapementModel & teaching piece · 1999
• Omega 14k Square Dress Watch, Ref. D 6650Hand-wound wristwatch · circa 1964
• Omega 18-karat Yellow Gold Art Deco Pocket WatchOpen-face watch · first half of the 20th century, likely around 1920–1930
• Omega 18ct gold half-hunting cased pocket watch retailed by Weir & SonsHunter-case watch · 1910
• Omega 18K Gold and Enamel Keyless Dress WatchOpen-face watch · circa 1905

Browse all 178 in the object catalogue

Provenance

Where the 178 catalogued pieces by Omega were recorded, with the collectors, owners and sales their records name.

Collectors, owners and donors

• GuatemalaProvenance · Omega Chronometer Reference 2398
• CollectorProvenance · Omega Constellation Chronometer Gents Wristwatch
• ConstellationCollection · Omega Constellation Day Date Reference 168.019
• January 9, 1929Original sale · Omega Hunting-Cased Pocket Watch with Portrait of Ras Tafari
• Presentation piece for BahrainProvenance · Omega Seamaster Ref. 166010 62

Auction history

Each line is copied from the object's source record and is not independently verified. Holders are as recorded when the piece was catalogued: museum objects may not be on display, and sold lots have since changed hands.