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What do you want from Omega?

Riviera Paradise
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lillatroll lillatroll
Based solely on looks I would go for the Omega options all day long.
I imagine that few non watch enthusiasts have heard of VC while Cartier is probably more well known. With this in mind I think that when a non ethusiast buys an expensive watch they probably want their peers to know that they have an expensive watch through brand recognition, without having to say they spent X amount on it. Rolex/Omega/Brietling/Tag Heuer are well known to a larger proportion of society than VC or PP; and less expensive, so I think they are popular choices for a lot of people in this bracket.

When it comes to bang for buck, you are absolutely right, compared to the examples you sited, it does seem that Omega are trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of buyers based on a perception of however "luxurious" Omega is. However, no matter what we think about it all, the customer will decide by where they choose to spend their money and the brands will adjust their buisness strategies accordingly.
Very good points...and to clarify my post was a provocation to see what the OF reaction would be. Disclaimer: I also have bias in the listed options, being a Tresor owner.

I would also choose Omega over all the other options I posted from a pure aesthetics POV. This goes to show reinforce how much luxury watch purchasing is emotionally driven after all. The watch below is a simple three-hander with no complication and a printed dial...it costs US$1.200 more than the Cartier Drive Extra-Flat, but I would choose the Railmaster over the Cartier without a second thought.
Omega-1957-Speedmaster-Railmaster-Seamaster-Trilogy-aBlogtoWatch-05.jpg


So although we all look for value proposition from Omega, perhaps they cunningly know how to pull our heart strings and price at the limit of the desirability level we can tolerate.馃槈
 
tyrantlizardrex
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I think most people that collect watches, would struggle to associate with Cartier.

They make watches for people buying the name, not the watch...
 
MaiLollo
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
I think most people that collect watches, would struggle to associate with Cartier.

They make watches for people buying the name, not the watch...
I'm not sure I agree. I'm not big on Cartier either, and even though it's true that their movements are nothing special, they produced quite a bit of design icons...
And I guess that design is a major factor in watches. They succeeded in creating a deisgn icon, whereas some more respected brands (Zenith for sure, IWC maybe, etc.) couldn't...
 
McKinley
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Probably makes no sense as I don't think they ever made one, please correct me if I am wrong, I know Heuer is more famous for it, but I wish Omega would make a 2 register Panda dial with about a 40mm, not too large, case. I have only vintage watches so far, but have been thinking about a modern one and that is one I would put on my big boy pants and spend the $ on. I am thinking they will never make it though.

McK
 
tyrantlizardrex
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MaiLollo MaiLollo
I'm not big on Cartier either, and even though it's true that their movements are nothing special, they produced quite a bit of design icons...

It true... but I'm not sure they're "Design Icons" that appeal to collectors in the same way as some other brands/pieces.

Cartier position themselves primarily as a high end jeweller, who also sells watches - and some of their pieces are very handsome... and have appeal within certain segments of the market.

Quite a few lawyers and bankers I know I London think of the Cartier Tank (in one incarnation or the other), as the "thing to wear", and it's not because of the design, or the technicalities of the watch, it's because it's a Cartier.

For some people it seems to be a higher class Rolex... which I don't get, but then I've given up trying to understand people. 馃榿
 
Riviera Paradise
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
Quite a few lawyers and bankers I know I London think of the Cartier Tank (in one incarnation or the other), as the "thing to wear", and it's not because of the design, or the technicalities of the watch, it's because it's a Cartier.
For some people it seems to be a higher class Rolex... which I don't get, but then I've given up trying to understand people. 馃榿

I know of some particularly "nasty" individuals in the Rio Oil & Gas scene who flaunt some larger sized blingy gold Cartiers on their wrists. I do agree that for some of the status obsessed in Europe & Americas, the perceived "watch status" pecking order could well be something like this: Patek>Cartier>Rolex>Omega-Breitling (tied at "entry level luxury")>Tag-Heuer.

Just shows how much work Omega has on its hands to move up the "status ladder"馃榿
Edited:
 
MaiLollo
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tyrantlizardrex tyrantlizardrex
It true... but I'm not sure they're "Design Icons" that appeal to collectors in the same way as some other brands/pieces.

Cartier position themselves primarily as a high end jeweller, who also sells watches - and some of their pieces are very handsome... and have appeal within certain segments of the market.

Quite a few lawyers and bankers I know I London think of the Cartier Tank (in one incarnation or the other), as the "thing to wear", and it's not because of the design, or the technicalities of the watch, it's because it's a Cartier.

For some people it seems to be a higher class Rolex... which I don't get, but then I've given up trying to understand people. 馃榿
Agreed with their actual status, modern pieces won't appeal to collectors (though on vintage, someone like John Goldberger might have something to argue 馃槤 https://le-monde-edmond.com/john-goldberger-insight-from-a-true-connoisseur/). But, I think it's fair to point out that they've pioneered the watch industry (wasn't the Santos the first wristwatch ever ?) back in the day.
There's not much to discuss from their current lineup though ::rimshot::

PS: I'd love a crash one day, I don't know why but I just love its looks...

Cartier-Crash-Skeleton-Watch-Men-aBlogtoWatch-7.jpg
 
M'Bob
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MaiLollo MaiLollo
PS: I'd love a crash one day, I don't know why but I just love its looks...

Why, is because they are uber-cool, despite the possibly morbid and apocryphal story about the design emanating from some Cartier higher-up dying in a car crash (hence, Crash), where the case of his watch melted and spawned that design.
 
SpeedyPhill
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A Speedmaster chronograph with a 60 Minutes bezel ... way more practical... who's still using the Tachym猫tre these days ?
... 馃槙
 
MaiLollo
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M'Bob M'Bob
Why, is because they are uber-cool, despite the possibly morbid and apocryphal story about the design emanating from some Cartier higher-up dying in a car crash (hence, Crash), where the case of his watch melted and spawned that design.
Exactly, the story behind it is very cool. I'd heard in a Hodinkee talking watches that the "original Crash" Tank was just run over by a car ?
It's just not the watch that usually appeals to me.
 
Riviera Paradise
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Well, sorry to prolong the thread drift here (Omega to Cartier)...for which I assume total responsibility馃榾

I am not a fan of Roman numerals on dials (perhaps I read too many Asterix comics馃榿), so I have always had a tough time enjoying the Cartier aesthetics. The Cartier Santos is probably the only Cartier I would probably ever consider owning, but that has more to do with the heritage link to Santos Dumont and the 14-bis.

At SIHH 2018 Cartier just launched a new version with a quick strap change...seems like a nice update.
Cartier-Santos-2018-10.jpg Cartier-Santos-2018-11.jpg


I found this great fun article about Cartier and their watch history /innovation at Fratello...
https://www.fratellowatches.com/shut-up-read-the-truth-about-cartier-watches/

Back on topic for Omega!

My personal wish in terms of Omega product development (all unlikely to happen, but who knows, someone might be listening馃榾):

Downsizing of the 44.25mm chronographs to at least 43mm.

Reduce the no. of LEs launched each year...just one per year should be the limit.

Allow breathing space between new product lines so that something new like the Globemaster can expand , consolidate presence and awareness in the market. The Globemaster was under appreciated when launched (Datejust comparisons etc.)...when we started seeing it in the flesh, perceptions started to change for the better...and then Omega launched the annual calendar...which flopped. So they gave up on the Globemaster and relaunched the AT...killing off any chance of the Globemaster consolidating a more significant presence in the product range.

Offer price discounting to collectors regularly purchasing one new watch per year at retail either via OBs or via Omega online, perhaps via some sort of fidelity/points system. Events with lots of free champagne are nice, but a "collector" discount would be much more interesting馃槈
Edited:
 
M'Bob
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Riviera Paradise Riviera Paradise
Offer price discounting to collectors regularly purchasing one new watch per year at retail either via OBs or via Omega online, perhaps via some sort of fidelity/points system

This would be the official way. Unofficially, if you're buying a watch a year, I would hope your contact person would be expressing gratitude for continued customer support by reducing your purchase price.
 
texasmade
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M'Bob M'Bob
This would be the official way. Unofficially, if you're buying a watch a year, I would hope your contact person would be expressing gratitude for continued customer support by reducing your purchase price.
OB's never discount though which drives away purchasing from an OB unless it's a LE or boutique only watch. Only thing I buy from the OB right now are accessories like a bracelet or strap for a watch. I wouldn't buy a watch from my OB (even though the people working at the OB I got are very friendly). The price difference between MSRP vs an AD or grey is just too large to ignore.
 
M'Bob
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texasmade texasmade
OB's never discount though which drives away purchasing from an OB unless it's a LE or boutique only watch.

Agreed. And a friendly AD can really sweeten a deal if they are inclined. And...can occasionally find a boutique piece for you, too.
 
Riviera Paradise
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M'Bob M'Bob
Agreed. And a friendly AD can really sweeten a deal if they are inclined. And...can occasionally find a boutique piece for you, too.

I don't have any Omega ADs in Rio. I have received small discounts from my local OB (with the constant BRL currency fluctuations, they probably have more flexibility to do this) and sometimes we have negotiated a free strap as part of the deal. I have purchased so far eight watches with my OB since Sept 2013 (seven for me and one for my wife), I am strongly considering purchasing no. nine in 2018.

The highlights of my pampering were certainly during the Rio Olympics in 2016.
1) Receiving an offer to carry the Olympic torch during the torch relay event (which I turned down due to travel commitments)..attached below legal participation terms and conditions (for the "pictures or it did not happen" crowd)
RioTorchRelay2016.jpg

2) Omega house events during the Rio Olympics 2016.
3) VIP transport to and from Maracana stadium for the Brazil vs Germany football final with VIP seating.

I really can't see how a small time insignificant collector such as me is ever going to get more pampered by my OB than I was during 2016, especially as I am now down to only one watch purchase per year馃槜

So since 2017 the my local OB relationship has inevitably become a bit more hard nosed on my side (though they still treat me very well and lots of small gifts through the year, dinner events)...I will carry on purchasing with them if they maintain consistent pricing locally with Omega's global/US pricing, but as I am travelling to the UK this year, VAT tax free discounting might be hard to beat, so I might do this year's Omega purchase at an OB in London, assuming that the London OBs do offer VAT discounts to tourists visiting the UK.
Edited:
 
M'Bob
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My AD simply rewards my continued patronage by giving me killer prices on many items, including some boutique pieces. But the experiences you have had via your OB: they are far more interesting and memorable than a discount.
 
omegadave
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- Thinner cases, please!
- Not a fan of so many LE pieces, but long term, I think it'll make for an interesting chase for future collectors (50+ years)
- "marswatch" ?!?!
 
Grk
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Would be great if the planet ocean series can be much thinner I definitely would get one
Far as I know longines already moving up
I read it somewhere since omega going up as well
Will see sooner or later
 
texasmade
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omegadave omegadave
- Thinner cases, please!
+10000

I'd love to get a 39.5mm black PO or the 41mm Seamaster vintage but the watches are just too thick for me to wear.
 
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