Omega overshadowed by Rolex

Rman · Nov 20, 2019

Go where your interests take you, that is collecting.

The further I looked into Omega (Pre-1970) the more I found riches and many things that others had little interest in. The Omega catalog runs so deep going back the the early 1900s—- you can still find nice examples for reasonable money.

There are many pieces in the Omega legacy that defy comparison, they stand on their own 4 lugs, and the same goes for Rolex.

So why the drama?

If I I had to buy a contemporary non-limited piece my top two would be Omega, the 300MC and Speedmaster. They suit my low profile / high quality preferences. Hope that helps your research project.

Chye · Nov 20, 2019

I like both brands, and the watches they offer. Budget permitting, I just get what I like. For me, it's not a case of R has better brand value (which is probably true vs O), and so I bypass Os, and just get Rs.

Chye

larryganz · Nov 21, 2019

Riviera Paradise
Wow ...snip... If I had to reduce the collection to just four watches, I would keep the two Speedies, the Reverso and the Explorer. So Omega would "overshadow" Rolex (for me)😁

...snip...
My take is similar to various posters on this thread: buy what you like and enjoy it with your loved ones. Life is short😀

My picks for just 4 to keep from your collection would be the Speedy Tuesday, The Tresor, The Rolex BLNR, and the hardest choice after that would be for #4 - most likely the Polar Explorer II.

Martin_J_N · Nov 21, 2019

Tigeranteater
Till you turn 59 and can’t even read it with the fxxxing cyclops... so I sold my sub and bought an Explorer MK II no date. Easy peasy.

Looks like that Sub no date needs to be ordered from the AD for delivery in the next 18 months.

😁

Fabrice M · Nov 24, 2019

has Rolex is much more “sober” about their design. There are no special edition and each “new” design is very incremental, they also limit production of their watch.
Omega chose a different route, lot’s of “special editions” lot’s of variation of the same models, it feels like every month they have something new... and none are difficult to find. Their price point is usually much cheaper than Rolex and dealers will discount much more, but yet, Omega does offer a quality watch with a great finish.

SpeedTar · Nov 24, 2019

Well concerning vintage market :
* Rolex is mostly an investment for many owners I know => not all but they all have in mind the moment when they will sold it and earn some money...
* Rolex vintage watches are everything but rare, if you have the money you can get one! I have seen many 5508, 6263, 1016, 6238 and of course many more 5513 and 1675...but only one 2915-1

Plus, Rolex doesn't and never was a brand which made me dreamt of, to me the brand is representing a object who allows their owners to show their social status or whatever (no judgement here but just what I feel)

I like the Idea of collecting watches that I like and no considering their value in years or months (=> Rolex) to come. And rarity or historical approach are my main purpose.

BTW if I have to own a Rolex it would be a 1675...but I probably won't!!

T

alam · Nov 24, 2019

I’m sold on the original premise on this thread, and now moving to TRF with my new handle, RolexOmega 🙄

BlackTalon · Nov 24, 2019

alam
I’m sold on the original premise on this thread, and now moving to TRF with my new handle, RolexOmega 🙄

You simply must debut with a thread about your Rolex holy grail 😁

jankymutt · Nov 26, 2019

I started collecting watches 6 months ago. Knowing little about any type of brand I walked into a couple AD's. While I couldn't even find a Rolex to try on and look at, all the Omega AD's had plenty of stock and I could try on what I liked.

Fast forward 6 months and I own 2 speedsters, 2 seamasters, a vintage constellation, and 2 seikos. All my watches were purchased for wearing and not "investing". Had I found a rolex I might have purchased one, but I wasn't about to drop $9k on a watch I couldn't even see, touch, try on.

In my opinion Omega wearers are pragmatic. We wear this brand because it looks great, prices are reasonable (relatively speaking), and we can try on the pieces before buying! Most of us don't wear the watch because we want to get noticed.

Martin_J_N · Nov 26, 2019

jankymutt
I started collecting watches 6 months ago. Knowing little about any type of brand I walked into a couple AD's. While I couldn't even find a Rolex to try on and look at, all the Omega AD's had plenty of stock and I could try on what I liked.

Fast forward 6 months and I own 2 speedsters, 2 seamasters, a vintage constellation, and 2 seikos. All my watches were purchased for wearing and not "investing". Had I found a rolex I might have purchased one, but I wasn't about to drop $9k on a watch I couldn't even see, touch, try on.

In my opinion Omega wearers are pragmatic. We wear this brand because it looks great, prices are reasonable (relatively speaking), and we can try on the pieces before buying! Most of us don't wear the watch because we want to get noticed.

I have tried on every Rolex watch that I have expressed an interest in, I have tried on in my AD, a Submariner, a Pepsi, a Sky Dweller, a Yacht Master, a CHNR and before purchasing a DJ41, all were brand new from an authorised dealer not from the grey market. From that list I have bought the DJ, the CHNR and a DJ for my wife I hope to get early in 2020 the AD is confident that they will be okay to get what I want. I have also expressed an interest in a Submariner for 2021.

My local Omega store is also great and I from them I have a Speedy and Seamaster Diver, an Aqua Terra may be an option at a later date, possibly in place of the Sub as I already have a 'dive' watch. Yes it is easier to try-on watches in Omega stores as they have watches available but I haven't had a problem in my Rolex AD.

Omega watches are awesome, but I wanted a GMT for travel and the CHNR ticked all the boxes in a way that none of the Omega GMT variants could, my wife is not interested in watches and it has taken me years to get her to have a good watch, the DJ she is having is the first big brand watch that she has liked, nothing in any of the shops we have visited has clicked with her until she saw the DJ in the case at our AD, she was hooked.

I am more than happy with my Omega and Rolex watches and not convinced that either is better than the other, both make watches that with some regular tlc will outlast their owners and be able to pass on to the next generation.

My bugbear is the constant whinging of people about the lack of stock in Rolex dealerships, work with your AD and you will be amazed what watches you can try on, the situation isn't going to change so we just need to accept it whether we like it or not.

Kjian414 · Nov 26, 2019

I feel like it’s the branding. Omega build quality and Rolex build quality are not extremely different. Rolex has branded themselves so well that literally everyone knows about the brand as well as think that it’s the most prestigious brand (for non watch people)

VetPsychWars · Nov 26, 2019

My watchmaker now sort of a friend works at a Rolex dealer. They have plenty of stock, by the way, in Brookfield Wisconsin. I thought, sure, maybe I'll buy a used Rolex. Don't like the style of most of the new ones, but if you go back a few years into the 60s, you can get an Oyster that looks nice with dauphine hands.

Except he can't get parts for those models, and if you send one in, they update it, if they service it at all.

My ultimate answer was, by then, why should I even bother trying?

At least with my Omega watches I get what I like and they can still be serviced.

Tom

Martin_J_N · Nov 26, 2019

K Kjian414
I feel like it’s the branding. Omega build quality and Rolex build quality are not extremely different. Rolex has branded themselves so well that literally everyone knows about the brand as well as think that it’s the most prestigious brand (for non watch people)

This is so true, the Rolex marketing dept is beyond reproach, almost perfect in achieving its aims, whereas Omega's is merely excellent. Rolex is a brand name that is known by non watch aficionado's all over the world, it has become one of the brands that people aspire to own. It is this very 'aspiration to own' that sets Rolex apart from other brands, an Omega watch is a stunningly good time piece, awesome in every way, better in many aspects than Rolex, but it's not a Rolex and that is the crucial difference for many many people.

If you want a Rolex then you want a Rolex, that's it, nothing else will do irrespective of how good it may be.

dekevain · Nov 26, 2019

Martin_J_N
If you want a Rolex then you want a Rolex, that's it, nothing else will do irrespective of how good it may be.

Exactly. I really love my Omega Planet Ocean but last year I really had a Rolex itch, so to speak. I ended up buying an Explorer, which I wore every day until I went on a transatlantic trip. I took the Omega on the trip and ever since I switch it up between the two on a regular basis.

All this to say: my Rolex itch is scratched and I’m happy with my watches, but back then I really had to have a Rolex.

watchknut · Nov 26, 2019

I bought Omega because I couldn't afford Rolex...I sold Omega so I could afford Rolex.

Now I have a bunch of Rolex.

I do plan on keeping my FAP SM300 and my chocolate Speedy because they are special...but I never wear them and prefer all of my Rolex over them.

mswilks · Nov 26, 2019

For me, it's just aesthetics. There are only two Rolex watches that I have any interest at all in, but I would gladly take a random draw from most of Omega's catalog. The same goes for vintage, where Omega dress watches hit me right where I live.

To some extent, it's like vintage Martin versus vintage Gibson guitars. A lot of people like both but a fair number prefer one over the other (for one reason or another).

Börn · Dec 3, 2019

I love my Omega timepieces and I am currently looking to purchase a Rolex DateJust or Oyster Perpetual.

The only time it will ever be Rolex vs Omega is when I open my watch case and decide what to where that day.

bubu16 · Dec 4, 2019

OmegaRolex
With the possible exception of the Speedmaster, it seems that each Omega product line has a contemporary in Rolex’s catalog that receives more attention, has greater resale value, and has a larger collector base in the watch community.

Seamaster - Submariner
Speedmaster - Daytona
Railmaster - Milgauss
Constellation - DayDate
Deville/Globemaster - Datejust
Any GMT complication - GMT Master
Planet Ocean - Sea Dweller

Of course this list isn’t precise, but I’m simply curious how fellow Omega collectors reconcile with the idea of investing in a brand of lower brand strength compared to its most direct competitor. Personally, I’m much more drawn to specific vintage Omega models that cannot be outshined by Rolex equivalents.

Are Omega collectors generally more interested in the brand’s pre-1970’s “Golden Age” history? Or for modern collectors, are you more attracted to Omega’s brand placement with the Bond 007 films and brand ambassadors? In other words, I would love to hear in your own words why you choose Omega over Rolex.

I hope this topic is not too controversial. As a collector and lover of both brands, I am genuinely interested in the Omega community’s take on this topic.

IMO hard to compare the 2 like apple and strawberry. I love them both.

2tone61 · Dec 5, 2019

My first watch that I bought and cost a lot of money was a Rolex, purchased in Switzerland as a momento of my travels in the country.
A few years later back at work I admired a friends watch and found out it was an Omega Constellation, so looked into the brand and bought a Seamaster 200 and that was the beginning of my collecting mostly Omega. There are some very desirable , nice design, and sometimes highly engineered watches available , but also expensive , and I ask myself 'how much did that watch actually cost to produce' as opposed to the price tag to buy, and the next thing is ' keeping up with the Jones's, especially when you see what some people have on their wrist and the money involved
Thats my two pennies worth !

Larry S · Dec 5, 2019

Alpha
Your third point is extremely controversial if not offensive 🙁

Let’s just go with offensive....

Omega overshadowed by Rolex

Rman

Chye

larryganz

Martin_J_N

Fabrice M

SpeedTar

alam

BlackTalon

jankymutt

Martin_J_N

Kjian414

VetPsychWars

Martin_J_N

dekevain

watchknut

mswilks

Börn

bubu16

2tone61

Larry S

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