Was Omega as prestigious in the 50' & 60's?

STANDY · Nov 12, 2022

bananapeanut
It was like when Rolex made watches with a Dominos Pizza logo on the dial. Pure nonsense.

When this was done, no one knew except the people that worked for Dominos that received one knew or cared.. No internet hardly any collectors, it was only when they started surfacing to be sold by the owners / or kids on EBay.

Facebook started in 2004, here started in 2011-12 collecting watches in the early 2000s was a very small click of people. 2000 to 2010-15 was the eBay crazy time where watches were slowly going up but still deals found everywhere (especially 2000-2010)
The last 10 year has seen watches as a hobby and collecting explode.

In the 50-60s omega was known and marketed as the watch to be bought when you graduated….

Canuck · Nov 12, 2022

I worked for a retail jeweller that carried Rolex, Omega, Longines, Tudor, and many lesser Swiss brands, 55 years ago. This was at a time when watch collecting wasn’t the thing that it is today. The mid 1960s was a time that a steel and gold Rolex Date-Just sold for $495.00. And if you laid down $1,995.00, you could buy an 18-karat Rolex Day-Date with the President bracelet! This was in an era when there was just as much prestige in having a Volkswagen in your driveway, as having a Cadillac. Reverse snobbery I believe it was called, back then! As mentioned earlier, this was an era before electronic social media, and the internet. The ground swell of the popularity of collecting watches seems to almost be concurrent to the arrival of electronic social media. One thing I remember from those years ago, Omega wasn’t in the lofty price range of Rolex.

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

bananapeanut
If my life depended on the reliability of a watch, I would pick a Rolex before a Patek, FP Journe, A. Lange & Söhne or you name it. That said, I adore my SMP 300.

Nobody is saying that Rolex has poor build quality. Quite the opposite. But on the subject of lives depending upon the reliability and functionality of a watch, it’s worth noting that NASA chose Omega over Rolex. The fact that the crew of Apollo 13 came home is, at least in part, a testament to Omega’s build quality, accuracy and reliability.

bananapeanut · Nov 13, 2022

STANDY
When this was done, no one knew except the people that worked for Dominos that received one knew or cared.. No internet hardly any collectors, it was only when they started surfacing to be sold by the owners / or kids on EBay.

Facebook started in 2004, here started in 2011-12 collecting watches in the early 2000s was a very small click of people. 2000 to 2010-15 was the eBay crazy time where watches were slowly going up but still deals found everywhere (especially 2000-2010)
The last 10 year has seen watches as a hobby and collecting explode.

It's fascinating when you sum it up that way. It gives perspective and explains why the craziness ended in a mega bubble. Even though the bubble has burst, people's interest in watches has not waned one bit. Can't wait to see what's coming next.

bananapeanut · Nov 13, 2022

gbesq
Nobody is saying that Rolex has poor build quality. Quite the opposite. But on the subject of lives depending upon the reliability and functionality of a watch, it’s worth noting that NASA chose Omega over Rolex. The fact that the crew of Apollo 13 came home is, at least in part, a testament to Omega’s build quality, accuracy and reliability.

The speedy pro is a beast. That's partly why the debate Omega vs Rolex almost always ends up in a tie. Both brands have made amazing watches and with good leadership they will hopefully keep doing so. Just worried about the direction Omega has been taking lately. Alright, now I'll stop hijacking this thread. Thanks for the great insight.

STANDY · Nov 13, 2022

bananapeanut
Just worried about the direction Omega has been taking lately. Alright, now I'll stop hijacking this thread. Thanks for the great insight.

Can you elaborate on your opinion above…

DoctorEvil · Nov 13, 2022

My Dad was given an Omega Seamaster by his parents in the late 1950s just before he departed from Malaya to study in the UK. I remember my Mum telling me when I was a child that it was a very good watch because "it's an Omega":

That's certainly in keeping with the impression I got that up until the late 1960s to early 1970s, Omega was the world's leading watch company in terms of brand recognition and sales. IMHO what shifted the pendulum towards Rolex was the Submariner and GMT Master, which were truly innovative. Since then, I'm afraid that Omega has been mostly playing catch up. However, with the advent of their co-axial escapement movements, Omega can rightly claim to have closed the gap.

Davidt · Nov 13, 2022

For another angle, I’d argue the coaxial is as much an exercise in marketing as anything Rolex has done. From my limited knowledge it does very little to prolong service intervals or improve timekeeping but adds to servicing complexity and limits owner choice when it comes to maintenance. Yet, everyone waxes lyrical about the amazing movements and technological advances in modern Omega watches

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

DoctorEvil
My Dad was given an Omega Seamaster by his parents in the late 1950s just before he departed from Malaya to study in the UK. I remember my Mum telling me when I was a child that it was a very good watch because "it's an Omega":

That's certainly in keeping with the impression I got that up until the late 1960s to early 1970s, Omega was the world's leading watch company in terms of brand recognition and sales. IMHO what shifted the pendulum towards Rolex was the Submariner and GMT Master, which were truly innovative. Since then, I'm afraid that Omega has been mostly playing catch up. However, with the advent of their co-axial escapement movements, Omega can rightly claim to have closed the gap.

Some would argue that Omega is now producing watches that are technologically superior to those made by Rolex and certainly equivalent in build quality. I would agree with that assessment with the qualification that Omega has still not been able to attain the virtually 100% brand awareness among consumers that Rolex enjoys.

bananapeanut · Nov 13, 2022

STANDY
Can you elaborate on your opinion above…

I was alluding to the gimmicks I mentioned earlier but to me the MoonSwatch was the most concerning one. Why did they have to put the Omega logo on the MoonSwatch? I don't want to reopen that debate but it's clearly a Swatch so why the prominent Omega symbol above the Swatch logo. They went too far. They should have more respect for the Omega brand and logo, which is supposed to be a symbol of luxury. I'll admit that the Swatch group has contributed to the revival of Omega but now it's time for Omega to claim its independence. Omega can fly on its own at this point and it should before headquarter decides to release more Omega X Swatch watches and whatnot.

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

bananapeanut
I was alluding to the gimmicks I mentioned earlier but to me the MoonSwatch was the most concerning one. Why did they have to put the Omega logo on the MoonSwatch? I don't want to reopen that debate but it's clearly a Swatch so why the prominent Omega symbol above the Swatch logo. They went too far. They should have more respect for the Omega brand and logo, which is supposed to be a symbol of luxury. I'll admit that the Swatch group has contributed to the revival of Omega but now it's time for Omega to claim its independence. Omega can fly on its own at this point and it should before headquarter decides to release more Omega X Swatch watches and whatnot.

Ah, but stop to think about it for a moment. Might it be that the Swatch Group thinks that by introducing the younger generation to an inexpensive watch that has some of the hallmarks of its Omega big brothers that at least some of those buyers will eventually trade up and become owners of the real thing? I believe that is exactly what the Swatch Group is trying to do and from a marketing perspective it's brilliant. I see very little harm that is likely to done to the Omega brand from the MoonSwatch. Quite to the contrary, it may draw addtiional buyers to the Omega brand and that's a good thing.

bananapeanut · Nov 13, 2022

gbesq
Ah, but stop to think about it for a moment. Might it be that the Swatch Group thinks that by introducing the younger generation to an inexpensive watch that has some of the hallmarks of its Omega big brothers that at least some of those buyers will eventually trade up and become owners of the real thing? I believe that is exactly what the Swatch Group is trying to do and from a marketing perspective it's brilliant. I see very little harm that is likely to done to the Omega brand from the MoonSwatch. Quite to the contrary, it may draw addtiional buyers to the Omega brand and that's a good thing.

It could work out that way but I'm afraid that if you give a MoonSwatch to a 12-year-old who doesn't know better, he'll already think he owns an Omega since it is written so prominently on the dial. Later as an adult, he will remember Omega as the brand that made the cool plastic watch he was wearing proudly in his youth. As a boy I had an Omega, now I am a man so I must have a Rolex. Besides, not sure he'll still want "the real thing" when he realizes he's been duped. It was a genius move for Swatch but for Omega it could backlash. Personally I wouldn't have taken that risk with the Omega brand.

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

bananapeanut
It could work out that way but I'm afraid that if you give a MoonSwatch to a 12-year-old who doesn't know better, he'll already think he owns an Omega since it is written so prominently on the dial. Later as an adult, he will remember Omega as the brand that made the cool plastic watch he was wearing proudly in his youth. As a boy I had an Omega, now I am a man so I must have a Rolex. Besides, not sure he'll still want "the real thing" when he realizes he's been duped. It was a genius move for Swatch but for Omega it could backlash. Personally I wouldn't have taken that risk with the Omega brand.

Perhaps, but my guess is that there are very few MoonSwatches going to 12 year olds.

bananapeanut · Nov 13, 2022

gbesq
Perhaps, but my guess is that there are very few MoonSwatches going to 12 year olds.

My bad. I thought that's what you meant by "younger generation".

redpcar · Nov 13, 2022

Omega reached a thirty something in my office. Apple watch user that got into the hype of getting the Moonswatch. He picked one up and is now looking at a Speedmaster. Hasn't pulled the trigger but we'll see.
I understand your feelings. Existing Omega owners feel it's cheapening the brand. The mothership had an idea to expand the brand name and is taking a chance.
Honestly, I felt that the Swatch purchase of Omega cheapened the brand. Sadly, just like all the others. This is why I prefer vintage. Living in the past, maybe, but I like history. Good news is that the brand names live on, I suppose.

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

redpcar
Omega reached a thirty something in my office. Apple watch user that got into the hype of getting the Moonswatch. He picked one up and is now looking at a Speedmaster. Hasn't pulled the trigger but we'll see.
I understand your feelings. Existing Omega owners feel it's cheapening the brand. The mothership had an idea to expand the brand name and is taking a chance.
Honestly, I felt that the Swatch purchase of Omega cheapened the brand. Sadly, just like all the others. This is why I prefer vintage. Living in the past, maybe, but I like history. Good news is that the brand names live on, I suppose.

I'm a bit more optimistic. Most of my collection is vintage Omega, but I do own the 2017 version of the SMPc and it's one hell of a nice watch. For better or worse, the Swatch Group saved the Omega brand from probable bankruptcy, it's now the crown jewel of its corporate parent, and it's producing some damn fine watches that are competiive with the world's best. .

Vercingetorix · Nov 13, 2022

Swatch group never purchased Omega. SSIH (Omega,Tissot) merged with ASUAG to form what became Swatch.

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

Vercingetorix
Swatch group never purchased Omega. SSIH (Omega,Tissot) merged with ASUAG to form what became Swatch.

My bad. That is correct and thank you for clarifying.

Canuck · Nov 13, 2022

Much of the discussion here involves plastic Swatch watches with OMEGA on the dial. I am reminded of the groundswell of discontent when Ford put the Mustang name on an electric car!

redpcar · Nov 13, 2022

Hayek pulled Omega from the ashes

Was Omega as prestigious in the 50' & 60's?

STANDY

Canuck

gbesq

bananapeanut

bananapeanut

STANDY

DoctorEvil

Davidt

gbesq

bananapeanut

gbesq

bananapeanut

gbesq

bananapeanut

redpcar

gbesq

Vercingetorix

gbesq

Canuck

redpcar

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