Omega not doing LE's anymore ...

eugeneandresson · Jan 8, 2022

As RJ clearly states in the beginning of this video, Omega are not making LE's anymore.

Tired of being criticized and tarnished online regarding the number and frequency of them? I could imagine the net profit from e.g. selling and supporting 2000 watches with some unique parts at 6.5k a pop is hardly a drop in the bucket, or worth the effort, for the groups financials...so they are likely not a cash cow...unless I am very naive and very wrong, which may well be.

Is there rather a push to move the line to a 'higher' market segment ala haute horlogerie? The latest offerings that tantalize everyone's taste-buds (2x golden 3861s, Snoopy, 3x 321's) sure seem a push in that direction...

‘Limited Productions’ LPs instead of LE’s?

Any other thoughts that make sense?

That's quite a pity I think...a lot of absolutely beautiful pieces have arisen as a result of the LE-mill. However, its also a plus point regarding speculators and scalpers that have all but made this hobby pleasurable.

Can't help to wonder at the shift of gear...and look forward to whats in store (the wallet however, is whining very deeply)...

Evitzee · Jan 8, 2022

Generally agree with your assessment. Making 2000 or so special pieces and selling them for a thousand dollars over the normal Speedmaster price isn't putting much money in their coffers and isn't doing anything to burnish their image or move it upstream. I don't even think you are going to see many more limited production items less than $15k+. The Snoopy was an outlier for various reasons, and Omega left a lot of money on the table pricing it as they did. Most of the previous LE's still represent pretty good value, but they are going up, too. I don't think there will be any special versions going forward that I would be willing to shell out anything close to $15k, and I certainly will not play the game of trying to become a VIP so I can get in on the action. I think the Omega ship has sailed for the average Speedmaster (or Seamaster) fan.

pdxleaf · Jan 8, 2022

It is an interesting question. Not so long ago there was the grousing about too many LEs. But to stop altogether?

Your thoughts about the cost for support seem reasonable. Another factor is the marketing value. The brand is melded with the moon and NASA missions. They earn consider brand value from that. Perhaps they are seeing new generations not as responsive to Apollo?

Perhaps Omega is suggesting there will still be special editions, just not limited in number.

8100_RPM · Jan 8, 2022

pdxleaf
Perhaps Omega is suggesting there will still be special editions, just not limited in number.

Going forward, it sounds like Omega will go the "Limited Production" route instead of numbered "Limited Editions". We still have no idea how many Snoopys will actually be produced.

dsio · Jan 8, 2022

I’ve been hoping for and suggesting this for a long time, it means watches are vastly less likely to be scalped and speculated on which is a positive thing, it may still be hard to get some models but if they’re popular enough they can be kept in production until everyone who wants one at MSRP has one.

The amount of negativity Rolex is attracting with their current situation of people having to pay the scalper rate or wait years is rather telling that people are fed up with that way of doing business, they just want to buy a watch they like.

Evitzee · Jan 8, 2022

8100_RPM
Going forward, it sounds like Omega will go the "Limited Production" route instead of numbered "Limited Editions". We still have no idea how many Snoopys will actually be produced.

We'll never know how many Snoopy's were made, but it is a hell of a lot more than ST1 & 2, the two CK2998's, the 60th Anniversary or almost any other LE version ever made by Omega. And that is just the way Omega wants to play it, artificial scarcity when it may wind up to be not that scarce except in the minds of those that bought one.

Dan S · Jan 8, 2022

I don't know if LEs are particularly profitable, but I've always assumed that they were a good opportunity to promote the brand and bring publicity to the Speedmaster line.

eugeneandresson · Jan 8, 2022

pdxleaf
They earn consider brand value from that. Perhaps they are seeing new generations not as responsive to Apollo?

Perhaps...but if one is an avid follower of the current movements in the Space industry, it may start to get bigger than Apollo at some point soon ... and that may put more eyes back on Apollo.

pdxleaf · Jan 8, 2022

One more thought. RJ said Omega let us know they will no longer be doing LEs.

Did they? They said that for the Snoopy3. That's not saying they would stop completely. Perhaps we are getting ahead of Omega on this. I'd like to know more about RJs source. Not saying he's making anything up, just that we may be inferring too much.

Regardless, the limited production would be positive. I wouldn't need to stay awake until 3 am.

Evitzee · Jan 8, 2022

Dan S
I don't know if LEs are particularly profitable, but I've always assumed that they were a good opportunity to promote the brand and bring publicity to the Speedmaster line.

Back in the 1980s when I was in and out of Switzerland two or three times a year as a transit and R&R point for my job in Saudi Arabia Omega made great use of the Speedmaster/NASA tie in in their marketing. The store windows always seemed to have an astronaut theme, and they weren't much money. But that was 40 years ago when most watch buyers still remembered the actual NASA programs and the moon landing. I just wonder how much juice is still left for them to continue to squeeze the moon landing theme. I doubt most people in their 20's could identify who Neil Armstrong was, they just aren't all that interested in space for the most part.

Dan S · Jan 8, 2022

Evitzee
Back in the 1980s when I was in and out of Switzerland two or three times a year as a transit and R&R point for my job in Saudi Arabia Omega made great use of the Speedmaster/NASA tie in in their marketing. The store windows always seemed to have an astronaut theme, and they weren't much money. But that was 40 years ago when most watch buyers still remembered the actual NASA programs and the moon landing. I just wonder how much juice is still left for them to continue to squeeze the moon landing theme. I doubt most people in their 20's could identify who Neil Armstrong was, they just aren't all that interested in space for the most part.

And maybe Omega already missed their chance with Musk. 🙄

oddboy · Jan 8, 2022

maybe it depends on whether the Mars astronauts will be wearing Apple watches or not.

but... consider the Ultraman LE. 2,012 pieces sold out (well, reserved) in exactly 1 hour, 53 minutes, and 17 seconds according to Omega (according to Hodinkee) -- each costing $7,100 USD. That's $14,285,200 USD in just under 2 hours. It would be interesting to know the cost to produce them vs what they made.....

pdxleaf · Jan 8, 2022

Dan S
And maybe Omega already missed their chance with Musk. 🙄

Wonder how @SpeedyPhill feels about that.

raclaims · Jan 8, 2022

I don’t think this is new news. Omega has been saying no more LEs for a little while now

I don’t really care either way honestly. They will still be limited by time of production I doubt any super desirable piece people are clamoring over will made more than a few years run anyway

lets face it there will be a 55th anniversary snoopy at which point they stop making the 50th so it’s still kinda of a limited run but potentially more people can get their aspirational pieces this way

padders · Jan 9, 2022

pdxleaf
One more thought. RJ said Omega let us know they will no longer be doing LEs.

Did they? They said that for the Snoopy3. That's not saying they would stop completely. Perhaps we are getting ahead of Omega on this. I'd like to know more about RJs source. Not saying he's making anything up, just that we may be inferring too much.

Regardless, the limited production would be positive. I wouldn't need to stay awake until 3 am.

Bearing in mind his involvement in the creation of 2 of the nicer recent LEs I would say RJ would have better knowledge than most on this subject. If he says they have decided to stop then they likely have. They could change their minds of course.

Caliber561 · Jan 9, 2022

People complained about the Speedmaster box => The box was shrunk and accessories that would no longer fit were removed.
People complained about Omega having an LE/variation every month => Omega no longer makes LEs.

We're getting what is asked for...

Watch my Whisky · Jan 9, 2022

Thank heavens.

Hopefully they drop the space garbage too.

kkt · Jan 9, 2022

Watch my Whisky
Thank heavens.

Hopefully they drop the space garbage too.

Starlink?

pdxleaf · Jan 9, 2022

Another random thought. From the consumer's perspective (meaning it might not be in Omega's best business interests), it would be great if Omega continued to produce someone like the Snoopy3 as long as there was interest. (Using S3 as an example of limited production.)

This is initially what they said they would do. It seems like it would hold down the speculators. A person could still buy a flipped watch if they didn't want to wait. Others, such as myself, could wait 5 years for the hype to settle and still buy the watch.

If your name is not on the list, it feels the same as if you are number 2001 of a LE of 2000.

abrod520 · Jan 9, 2022

It's really too bad, seems like Omega is making a decisive turn towards the No-Fun Zone. Sure, it had gotten to the point where we had 2 or 3 LE Speedmasters in a year, plus another 2 or 3 LE Seamasters. But in the end, they were always fairly fun.

Also it's too bad to see the accessory game gone. I always liked the way some LEs would come with fun packages like different straps or other fun things (such as the UV light in the Ultraman box). Now, even the No Time To Die watch comes in a watch roll with a bunch of empty pockets where the fun stuff used to go.

Eh no great matter, IWC is really coming into their own these days and I suppose I'll be better off not spending money on any Omegas for a bit.

Omega not doing LE's anymore ...

eugeneandresson

Evitzee

pdxleaf

8100_RPM

dsio

Evitzee

Dan S

eugeneandresson

pdxleaf

Evitzee

Dan S

oddboy

pdxleaf

raclaims

padders

Caliber561

Watch my Whisky

kkt

pdxleaf

abrod520

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