Omega is everywhere...

Outside the atmosphere, in there and in the deep sea: OMEGA shows its mastery everywhere. The watch house's creations were seen on the wrists of astronauts who traveled to the moon, as well as those of stars like George Clooney. James Bond and the Olympics are loyal partners, and with their ultra-precise Master Chronometers, OMEGA is once again pushing boundaries. MASTERS speaks with CEO and President Raynald Aeschlimann.Text: Lex Stolk
Image: OmegaOMEGA's goal since 1848 has been to seek out and push boundaries. With this bold, adventurous and ambitious attitude, the watch house from Bienne, Switzerland, has realized many memorable world firsts. Large and small. On July 21, 1969, the OMEGA Speedmaster was the first watch on the moon during perhaps the most memorable moment in human history. And in 1892, OMEGA produced the first pocket watch with minute repeater and in 1913 most likely the very first wrist chronograph - much more modest highlights, but which have great significance in the watchmaking world. OMEGA's starting point is in micromechanics, in the design and realization of precise, complicated and functional timepieces. As a result, their outstanding watch creations find a place on the world stage. For example, at the largest global sporting event, the Olympic Games. The motto of the Games is "faster, higher, stronger," a credo that also resonates at OMEGA. A watch manufacturer's highest goal is to build a timepiece without any deviation. Supreme precision is the utopia that every watchmaker dreams of and lies awake for. That OMEGA assumed the role as official timekeeper at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics makes sense in two ways. First, from the idea that everything can and should always be better, and second, from a more pragmatic point of view: sport involves accurate timekeeping. The difference between winning and losing is sometimes only a fraction of a second and that needs to be measured. The Olympic partnership is a golden commitment that is still alive and kicking.Photo: Omega

Record depth

Not only on, but also below the water's surface, OMEGA has made a name for itself. When the watch house celebrated its centennial as a watch manufacturer in 1948, it launched the Seamaster. To this day, that model is one of the most sought-after and respected watches in the OMEGA family. An interesting and colorful family, moreover. The Seamaster collection ranges from the professional Ploprof (an abbreviation of plongeur professionnel, French for "professional diver") that feels at home in the deep sea to the Aqua Terra, a stylish classic that also cuts a good figure on land. And then there is the experimental Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional. In May 2019, deep-sea explorer Victor Vescovo successfully sent his submarine Limiting Factor to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The submarine had a nine-centimeter-thick hull made of titanium that could withstand a pressure of 1,000 bar (the weight of fifty jumbo jets stacked on top of each other). Attached to the outside of the craft were three Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional prototypes. The dive to a world record depth of 10,925 meters was passed with flying colors by these diving watches extraordinaire. It is not at all surprising that the rugged Seamaster has been James Bond's watch of choice since 1995. In GoldenEye from that year, Pierce Brosnan wears a Seamaster Professional 300, but one fitted with a laser weapon by Q. Also in the upcoming, already 25th James Bond role-playing film No Time to Die, 007 will wear a Seamaster. Like 007, astronauts are heroes, but with one important difference: their adventures are actually life-threatening. Eliminating every danger in space is impossible, but by equipping astronauts with the best possible equipment and instruments, risks can be faced with an open mind. The story of OMEGA and space begins with astronaut Wally Schirra, in 1962. Looking for a robust watch that can measure time frames, Schirra purchases a Speedmaster chronograph, a watch actually intended for motor racing (hence the name). Thanks to Schirra's purchase, the Speedmaster becomes the first OMEGA in space. The chronograph with hand-winding movement functioned so well that three years later the Speedmaster received NASA approval and became the official chronograph for U.S. space missions.

You can read the entire interview with CEO and President Raynald Aeschlimann in MASTERS #46. Never miss anything from MASTERS? With 4 high-profile MASTERS editions, the annual LXRY LIST and many more extras, you will easily receive lots of reading pleasure at home: substantive reports, great photography and unique brands, trends and places in the world. Give it to yourself or a loved one as a gift. Conveniently close your subscription now here.Photo: Omega