In its long history, Omega replica uk has contributed numerous important watches and innovations to the world of watchmaking. In this excerpt from our “Omega Milestones” E-Special, we chronicle seven of the 25 most important watches Omega has ever made. For the complete E-Special listing all 25, click here to download it from BESTWATCH’s online store.
First Minute-Repeater Wristwatch (1892)
The world’s first minute-repeater wristwatch was unveiled in September 1892 by the Bienne, Switzerland firm of Louis Brandt & Frère, precursor to today’s Omega watch company. Brandt had chosen Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus to modify a 13-ligne Lépine ébauche that Audemars had purchased from the ébauche maker LeCoultre & Cie. The striking mechanism was triggered by a slide at 3 o’clock. The complex wristwatch case strongly resembles that of a pocketwatch. Engraved on the dust cover is a phrase in French that translates as “Excluded from the competition: juror, Paris 1889.” The engraving suggests that the replica watches had been exhibited at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, but had not been allowed to participate in the competition for medals because César Brandt, who ran the firm with his brother Louis-Paul, had served on the jury of the Paris World’s Fair in 1889.
First Omega Wristwatch (1900)
The first wristwatches bearing the Omega replica name were produced in 1900 and used by British officers in South Africa’s Boer War (1899-1903). Omega was one of the first firms to begin serial production of wristwatches. The watches withstood the rough treatment they got. An Omega advertisement in a watchmakers’ magazine in Leipzig in 1904 publicized the testimony of a British artillery officer whose Omega wristwatch performed admirably in bitter cold, searing heat, torrential rain and merciless sandstorms. The lieutenant colonel concluded that “The wristwatch is an essential campaign element.” The wristwatches were powered by a Lépine 12-ligne Caliber HN B and were available in two versions: one with the crown on the right, to be worn on the left wrist, and the other with the crown on the left for wearing on the right wrist.
Omega Seamaster (1948)
René Bannwart is considered the father of the Omega Seamaster line. The man who would later found Corum had begun building Omega’s design department in 1940. This was new. At that time, sketches for new models were usually drawn by draftsmen in watch-case factories. Bannwart’s decision set Omega on a new path that other brands would soon follow. To celebrate Omega’s 100th anniversary, Omega sales director Adolphe Vallat asked Bannwart to develop a sporty, robust and waterproof wristwatch. Bannwart felt that Vallat wasn’t giving him enough time, so he presented one of his case designs with the comment “much too clunky.” To Bannwart’s surprise, Vallat was delighted. The result was the Seamaster family. It had its origins in cheap replica watches supplied to Britain’s Royal Air Force in World War II. The 1948 civilian version of the pilots’ watch had a water-resistant case (to 50 meters), a screwed caseback with lead gaskets, a reinforced crystal, a silvered dial, and polished and riveted Arabic numerals. The version with small seconds, which was also available as a certified chronometer, contained the new automatic Caliber 28.10 RA RG-343. The model with a central seconds hand was the 28.10 RA SC-350.
Omega Constellation (1952)
Omega began using the name “Constellation” in 1952 to denote its officially certified wrist chronometers. The premier model was powered by Caliber 28.10 RA SC PC RG AM (nicknamed the “352”), which first appeared in 1945. This caliber wound itself via a unidirectional hammer-type winding weight. It also featured an indirectly propelled central seconds hand. The 28.1-mm-diameter, 5.4-mm-thick movement passed the official chronometer tests with flying colors. Its sturdiness, reliability and precision prompted Omega to produce the Constellation in large numbers. This model was also Omega’s first serially manufactured wristwatch chronometer.
Omega Speedmaster (1957)
Omega began using the name “Constellation” in 1952 to denote its officially certified wrist chronometers. The premier model was powered by Caliber 28.10 RA SC PC RG AM (nicknamed the “352”), which first appeared in 1945. This caliber wound itself via a unidirectional hammer-type winding weight. It also featured an indirectly propelled central seconds hand. The 28.1-mm-diameter, 5.4-mm-thick movement passed the official chronometer tests with flying colors. Its sturdiness, reliability and precision prompted Omega to produce the Constellation in large numbers. This model was also Omega’s first serially manufactured wristwatch chronometer.
Omega Speedmaster (1957)
The Omega Speedmaster, destined to become the most famous chronograph in the world because of its use by NASA for the Apollo program, was introduced in 1957. But the Speedmaster story really begins in 1943 with chronograph Caliber 27 CHRO C12, developed by Jacques Reymond. Born into a long-established family of watchmakers, Reymond had joined Omega’s subsidiary Lemania in 1942. The “CHRO” in the caliber designation stood for “chronograph,” the “27” referred to the movement’s diameter in millimeters, and “C12” denoted the additional counter for 12 elapsed hours. Further developed by Albert Piguet in 1946 and christened by Omega fake watches with the shorter name “321,” this movement was the smallest of its type at the time. Credit for the Speedmaster case design belonged to a group at Lemania, including designer Claude Baillod, prototype-maker Georges Hartmann and machinist Désiré Faivre. The watch’s salient features were a black dial, luminous hands, a tachymeter scale, water-resistant case, screwed back and domed Plexiglas crystal. The diameter was originally 39 mm. A 40-mm version with the tachymeter scale on a black background along the flange appeared in 1960.
Omega De Ville (1967)
Omega launched De Ville as a separate line in 1967. It had been a collection within the Seamaster line since 1960. Simpler, younger, more colorful, and more varied than the Seamaster, it quickly became Omega’s best-selling collection. The name stood for an entire philosophy because the De Ville wasn’t created at Omega’s headquarters in industrial Bienne, but in sophisticated Geneva. The collection was intended to represent a new urban elegance. The designers had sought and found a modernistic element in wristwatch design. The collection included rectangular models containing the ultra-slim hand-wound Caliber 620. The synthesis of modernity and timelessness turned out to be just right. Omega De Ville wristwatches won six “Golden Roses” at the Baden-Baden design awards in the 1970s as well as the coveted Grand Prix Triomphe de l’Excellence Européenne.
First Co-Axial Escapement (1999)
The Omega De Ville Co-Axial contained automatic Caliber 2500, the first wrist chronometer with a co-axial escapement. The escapement was invented by English master watchmaker George Daniels. Omega developed Daniels’s design so that it could be manufactured in large quantities. Caliber 2500 was a modified self-winding movement from Omega’s Swatch Group sister, ETA. The co-axial escapement went a long way toward solving two fundamental problems that had plagued long- lasting precision timekeeping. First, every change in the viscosity of the lubricant oil detracted from the regularity of the rate behavior. Second, over time, the oil gradually disappeared from the locations where it was most needed in the movement. Daniels revised the architecture of the impulse-giving elements to reduce both the friction and the influence that the lubricant’s viscosity exerted on the balance’s amplitude. Unlike conventional escapements, his co-axial escapement consists of an intervening wheel, a co-axial wheel and a lever with three pallet jewels. The lever acts only when the balance swings counter-clockwise. To fully exploit the advantages of this escapement, 27-jewel Caliber 2500 had a Glucydur balance with a frequency of 28,800 vph and a flat, freely swinging hairspring. The movement debuted in a simple round case for which Omega reactivated the name “De Ville.”Omega First Co-Axial EscapementFor the complete 25 “Omega Watch Milestones” including the first wristwatch tourbillon, the Olympic Timer from 1932, the RAF Broad Arrow, the Seamaster Ploprof, and the first Omega Liquidmetal replica watches uk, download the E-Special now from the BESTWATCH online store.
Category Archives: Omega Replica Watches
Six Decades of Omega Speedmaster replica, 2000 – 2010
In the fifth chapter in our series of features articles on the 60th anniversary of the iconic Omega Speedmaster, going decade by decade, we present the 13 most noteworthy Speedmasters from the early 2000s, including the famous Snoopy Speedmaster and a collectible model with a dial and subdials made from slices of meteorite.
2000: Apollo-Soyuz Limited Edition
Omega Speedmaster Apollo-Soyuz (2000)
With their spacecraft docking together in space back in 1975, the commanders of the U.S.A.’s Apollo and the Soviet Union’s Soyuz shook hands through an open hatch, signaling a hopeful future of cooperation for the two rival superpowers. This gold Omega replica watches, limited to 50 pieces, was created to mark the 25th anniversary of that landmark event. The mission name appears in both English and Cyrillic in the subdial at 6 o’clock and a special dedication inscription is engraved on the caseback.
2003: The Snoopy Watch
Omega Speedmaster Snoopy (2003)
This highly collectible Speedmaster commemorates the “Silver Snoopy Award” that Omega received in 1970 for its role in helping the beleaguered crew of the Apollo 13 mission get safely back to Earth. The cheap replica watches has a representation of the “Eyes on the Stars” patch on the small seconds subdial; this emblem is also reverse-printed on the watch’s sapphire crystal caseback. It was limited to 5,441 pieces — a number that referenced the length of the mission – 142 hours, 54 minutes and 41 seconds.
2003: From the Moon to Mars
Omega Speedmaster From the Moon to Mars (2003)
This Omega Speedmaster model coincided with that year’s announcement that the United States planned to build a permanent space station on the moon before 2020 to act as a launch site for future manned missions to Mars. Accordingly, the watch celebrates all three celestial bodies with subdial counters printed with images of the moon, Earth and Mars.
2004: Apollo 11 35th Anniversary
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 (2004)
Created to mark the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission — as you may recall, the mission during which the cheap Omega replica Speedmaster became the first watch worn on the moon — this watch was produced in a limited edition of 3,500 pieces. It features the famous mission date — July 20, 1969 — printed in red in the upper half of the dial, and the Apollo 11 patch reverse-printed on the sapphire caseback.
2005: Gemini IV 40th Anniversary
Omega Speedmaster Gemini IV (2005)
In 1965, on NASA’s Gemini IV mission, Edward White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. The mission, during which White wore a Speedmaster on his wrist, also marked the first time that an Omega fake watches uk ventured outside the spacecraft. This Speedmaster was created in a limited edition of 2,005 pieces to mark the 40th anniversary of White’s historic spacewalk. The dial and tachymeter bezel of the watch are in blue, and the Gemini IV mission patch is printed on the sapphire caseback.
2005: First Speedmaster with Co-Axial Escapement
Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial GMT (2005)
Omega, which had introduced its innovative co-axial escapement in a watch as early as 1999, finally incorporated it into the movement of its iconic Speedmaster in 2005. This model, equipped with a GMT function as well as a chronograph, was the first to include a co-axial escapement, which enhanced its precision and reliability. Also notably, the watch brought back the original Speedy’s famous “Broad Arrow” hands, along with a red-tipped GMT hand, and a 1–23 GMT hour ring that fit between the 1-12 hour markers.
2006: Apollo 15 35th Anniversary
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 15 (2006)
Created in a limited edition of 1,971 pieces, this Speedmaster marked the 35th anniversary of Apollo 15 — the mission during which the Lunar Rover Vehicle was used for the first time. Among its notable details are the 18k rose-gold push-buttons and the mission patch etched on the sapphire crystal caseback with three birds representing the astronauts.
2007: 50 Years of the Speedmaster
Omega Speedmaster 50th Anniversary Patch (2007)
This limited edition of 5,957 pieces was released to celebrate the birth of the Omega Speedmaster in 1957. The golden seahorse emblem printed on the dial is a visual element long associated with historical Speedmaster watches. The Omega replica watches uk logo is printed on the black dial in contrasting bright red. The watch was presented in a black wooden box with a painted 50th Anniversary badge.
2008: Celebrating the XXIX Olympiad
Omega Speedmaster Beijing (2008)
As the Official Timekeeper of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Omega offered this unusual Speedmaster 5-Counters Chronograph. For the first time ever on a Speedmaster, five chronograph subdials were displayed on the dial, arranged in the design of the five Olympic rings. The functions displayed in these subdials included a small seconds counter, a 7-day chronograph recorder, a day indicator, a 12-hour chronograph recorder, and a 30-minute chronograph recorder.
2008: Alaska Project
Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project (2008)
In this unconventional timepiece, one of Omega’s most innovative dreams became reality. Created in a limited edition of 1,970 pieces, the replica watches uk is based on the “Alaska II” project, which used a “standard” Speedmaster with a modified dial and hands in conjunction with an outer anodized aluminum “thermal shield”. This allowed the watch to withstand temperatures, in lunar or spatial atmospheres, ranging from -148º C to +260º C.
2008: Omega Speedmaster “HB-SIA” GMT
Omega Speedmaster “HB-SIA” GMT (2008)
Omega was a partner in 2008’s Solar Impulse project, whose ambitious aim was a flight around the Earth in an airplane powered only by the sun. This replica watches, named after the “HB-SIA” prototype plane, took design cues from the aircraft and its materials, with a case made of titanium and a dial made of black carbon fiber, similar to the HB-SIA’s composite covering. The central GMT hand, which completes one rotation every 24 hours, enables the wearer to read the time in a second time zone.
2009: Apollo 11 40th Anniversary
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 (2009)
Made in a limited edition of 69 examples to mark the 40th anniversary of man landing on the moon, this Speedmaster model has a rare platinum case and a yellow-gold medallion at the small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock representing, in high relief, the mission patch of Apollo 11. Another gold medallion of the same image appears on the caseback.
2010: First Speedmaster with Meteorite Dial
Omega Speedmaster replica Apollo-Soyuz (2010)
With a dial and subdials made from slices of meteorite, this Speedmaster can truly be said to feature real pieces of outer space. Like the Apollo-Soyuz model from 2000, this timepiece commemorates the historic moment when American astronaut Thomas P. Stafford and Russian cosmonaut Alexei A. Leonov shook hands in space in 1975. The caseback features engravings of spacecraft from both the USA and the Soviet Union and the names of the cosmonauts and astronauts involved.
5 Affordable Omega Replica Watches for New Collectors
Omega has produced numerous iconic timepieces over the years, including perhaps the world’s most famous chronograph, known around the world as the Omega Moonwatch. Here are five models that are in stores now at accessible prices* for both new and seasoned collectors.
Omega Speedmaster replica Moonwatch Professional
Launched in 1957, the Speedmaster is synonymous with spaceflight and adventure. Like most great icons, the design has changed little across the decades, meaning that today, the Moonwatch is recognized the world over. It features a distinctive black dial covered by a hesalite crystal with trademark thin hour and minute hands, a small seconds subdial, 30-minute and 12-hour recorders, and a characteristic central chronograph seconds hand. The black bezel, with its tachymeter scale, is mounted on a 42-mm stainless steel case that is water-resistant to 50 meters.
At the heart of this chronograph is Omega’s mechanical caliber 1861. Though this hand-wound movement has been upgraded several times over the years, it remains essentially the same as the one that powered the timepieces that accompanied NASA astronauts on six trips to the moon.
The Moonwatch is available on a strap or a bracelet. Each watch is offered with a special presentation box that includes two additional straps – a “NATO” strap and a black Velcro strap. Also included are a tool to change the straps, a Speedmaster loupe, and a book highlighting the adventures of the Speedmaster.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is priced from $4,500, making it a very good value among new chronographs.
Omega Constellation Co-Axial
Omega launched the Constellation family in 1952, though in the United States, the collection was originally known by the name Globemaster, due to a trademark conflict that was resolved in 1956.
The dome of the Geneva Observatory served as the family crest, as Omega had just broken its own precision timekeeping record there the prior year. The cupola was surrounded by eight stars representing Omega’s greatest chronometric achievements at the world’s observatories, including the 1931 “clean sweep” at the Observatory of Geneva in which Omega broke the record for precision in every category.
In 1982, Omega replica launched the Constellation “Manhattan.” This watch introduced the four now-familiar “griffes,” or claws at 3 and 9 o’clock, which originally held the sapphire crystal in place and helped ensure the watch remained waterproof.
In 2007, Omega introduced its proprietary Co-Axial calibers with new and unique escapements offering less friction, greater mechanical efficiency, and excellent chronometric performance over time. The performance of the new escapement is such that each Omega timepiece fitted with a Co-Axial caliber is a COSC-certified chronometer delivered with a full four-year warranty, which is one of the best in the business for a mechanical timepiece. The exclusive movement is housed in a 38 mm case with a sapphire caseback and 100-meter water resistance.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Co-Axial
The Seamaster Aqua Terra is a robust timepiece with clean, distinctive lines. The dials of the Aqua Terra 150 M collection recall the beautiful wooden decks found on the finest luxury sailboats. The example shown below features a lacquered silver dial decorated with the Teak Concept pattern. The 18k gold seconds hand is complimented by deep blue, faceted hour and minute hands.
The stainless steel 41.5-mm case holds the best feature: an Omega Master Co-Axial caliber 8500 COSC-certified chronometer movement which is specially manufactured to resistant magnetic fields greater than 15,000 gauss. Unlike most antimagnetic cheap replica watches, the Aqua Terra’s movement can be viewed through a transparent caseback.
Several brands offer mechanical watches with movements protected by antimagnetic inner cases. Omega replica watches improves on that design by fashioning key movement components from non-ferrous materials, making the movement itself impervious to magnetic fields. This feature is especially important today, as we encounter magnets more than ever, from smartphone and tablet cases to briefcase closures and refrigerator doors.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M Co-Axial 42 mm
Omega is at least as well known for performance under the seas as it is for performance in space, and indeed, the brand was a pioneer in both realms. In 1932, Omega launched the Marine, recognized by many as the first watch designed from the ground up (or from the surface down) to be used on deep dives. Since those early days, Omega timepieces have accompanied many explorers on their journeys into the deep. Marine biologist and explorer William Beebe wore an Omega Marine during his record-breaking bathysphere dives, as did Commander Yves Le Prieur, the inventor of Scuba. Jacques Cousteau famously wore an Omega Seamaster PloProf, and Jacques Mayol – the renowned freediver known as The Dolphin Man – also sported an Omega Seamaster on his record-setting dives.
In 2005, fake Omega expanded its maritime legacy with the launch of the Planet Ocean line. The stylish Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M pays homage to Omega’s dive watch heritage. This model features a black ceramic unidirectional rotating dive bezel mounted on a 42-mm stainless steel case that is water-resistant to 600 meters or 2,000 feet. The helium-escape valve is the mark of a true professional dive instrument.
Inside the case, yet visible through the sapphire caseback, beats the self-winding Omega Co-Axial caliber 8500 COSC-certified chronometer movement. The free-sprung balance and twin mainspring barrels contribute to the chronometric precision and distinguish this caliber from those found in many other dive fake watches uk.
Omega De Ville Prestige
Even hardened adventurers must occasionally don a dress replica watches uk, and here again, Omega offers a time-honored selection. The De Ville Prestige collection is characterized by pure, classic styling and a luxurious appearance that is never out of fashion. The model shown below features a 39.5-mm stainless steel case with a striking two-zone, sun-brushed blue dial protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The case offers 30-meter water resistance.
At the heart of this timepiece is the automatic-winding Co-Axial caliber 2500. This is the movement in which the Co-Axial escapement debuted on the world stage in 1999, conferring upon the caliber enduring historical significance.