It is an Omega year of 10/10 for product and maybe a 5/10 for marketing
Omega has treated WIS to genuine and once in a generation surprises, with real final product integrity and quality (nod to TAG singularly failing that test after the Autavia “Rindt” 2016 vote turning up such a shiny bloated 2017 watch)
Omega marketing may need a reset. They undersell long term fans with false dawns, unfulfilled timescales and unconvincing waiting lists.
But - and this is surely the most important bit - their product was stellar in 2017.
I stretched to three LEs and given the quality of each I would do it again.
What do others think of Omega 2017?

 

2017 is the Omega Year i will never forget. They introduced the most beautiful watch of the world: The lovely, outstanding, incomparable and extraordinary Railmaster Limited Edition. A watch which has changed my whole collectors life.

 

(when one sticks to the 3 pictured of xxx new offerings, and maybe throws in a 'Speedy Racing')

 

Yep. Omega owns 2017 thanks to one little watch. The RMLE is in mind the most beautiful sports watch ever made regardless of brand. It’s better than the Speedmaster, the Explorer, the Royal Oak and the Nautilus. It’s THAT good. The way I look at watches will never be the same. No exposed screwheads, applied indices, precious metals, patterned dials, distracting bezels and useless complications can outshine the simplicity and elegance of the Railmaster LE.

 

Pour moi aussi la railmaster est la plus agréable surprise des trois (Trilogy)

 

These are indeed attractive watches and I’ve been tempted a few times to buy the RMLE. Nonetheless these all are variations/homages to watches they’ve produced DECADES ago. Omega (and many others) have been riding that train far too long IMO. They added a nice twist with their Globemaster but even that is a play on an old design.

 

Well I think Omega have the whole XOSTM range, colorful ATs & Planet Oceans and Globemasters (as you mention) to satisfy those looking for modern designs. Of all the mainstream watch brands focusing on the US$5-US$13K price range Omega still offers the widest range of product diversity, which has also been a source of criticism as well on the OF.

I think Omega will carry on releasing new vintage inspired pieces, new LEs and new modern design watches (often using new materials & textures). I really do not see why they should change their product development strategy...their main issue seems to be controlling product distribution, not product development.

For me the Speedy Tuesday and Railmaster 60th LE were the standout Omega watches for 2017 with the new Speedy Racings receiving an honorable mention. 2017 was probably one of Omega's best years since 2014 (Speedmaster XI-45 LE, Speedmaster MKII, Speedmaster Skywalker X33, GSOTM, Seamaster 300 Master Co-axial, Tresor with 8511 calibre).


IMO the Omega's low points 2017 were their new brand ambassador strategy and the new female quartz Tresor Piaget "homage".

Looking at other watch brands competing in the same product price range...JLC deserve some recognition for their entry level sector dial releases and Bulgari really pushed the mainstream envelope with their titanium Octo Finissimo at the US$13K price range. IMO the Octo Finissimo was the standout watch for 2017. IWC seemed to have gone backwards and Rolex were Rolex as usual with only minor tweaks (Sky-Dweller in steel, Sea-dweller in 43mm) being sufficient to generate ooohs and aahhhs from the Rolex fanboy crowd.

Overall I would give Omega 7.5/10 for 2017.

2018 looks promising for the Seamaster range.

 

So there's a few things that I can say as a casual observer to the scene before a week ago, the marketing of omega has been working, I saw the LE 007 commander in a magazine, and it awoke me again to wanting a omega much like Casino Royale.
While some people will say that is a bad watch I think they are right to like what they like. I know the RMLE is something I wanted the first time I layed eyes on it and am happy I have one on hold, 2017 has been great I hope 2018 is just as good for every one here