I know were in the KZfaq comment section so i don’t expect a book but I’ve never heard this. Care to elaborate a little bit? I know they bought many companies. Anything outside of that?

Rolex is king broooo 😂 Just kidding to me i dont give a hoha about it as long as the watch fits my preference with affordable prices and easy to service with good customer care Other than that I don’t care about corporate stuff

@@johnswick7108 well it is a blanket statement and it is significantly more nuanced. We’d also have to include the Royal Oak and the creation of the luxury sports watch in steel, that Rolex ended up developing to perfection. But back to swatch… as you know, due to the launch of the quartz movement, the Swiss watch industry was going bankrupt and a conglomerate was created by joining SSIH (Omega, Tissot, Hamilton and Lemania) with ASUAG (Longines, Oris, ETA, etc.). To be more precise it was actually ETA that saved the industry by developing their quartz movements and, if I’m not mistaken, they used designs form omegas GG case (design attributed by some, non-officially, to Gerald Genta) to develop the first swatch watch. There’s a great video about this on KZfaq form “I Shoot Watches”. Any how, it was the success of swatch sales that allowed SMH to invest in all those brands that we all know and love, developing new mechanical technology, especially through ETA and Omega. In 1998 the group was rebranded to the Swatch Group and in the 90’s they continued buying struggling brands, like Breguet, Blancpain, Glashutte Original and others. I guess that’s about it in a nutshell. So, SMH (Swatch Group), AP and Rolex were, in my opinion, the main players that saved the Swiss watch industry.

​@johnswick7108 the Swiss watch industry was getting so hammered by Quartz that most manufacturers didn't have the money to develope their own movements and were essentially on the brink of bankruptcy. Swatch provided their cheap and reliable ETA movements in different specs and complications to heaps of brands for years. Until very recently actually. Now we're snobby about ETA movements but it's saved most of the brands you know about

True

They are making as many as they can, Chinese buyers just ruin it for everyone because they see it as investment.

Bracelet is iconic. No need to change anything. If you don’t like it but something else .

And a quick adjust for their bracelets...

@@jadomi2076 if I recon correctly, the current models of the Planet Ocean, Seamaster diver 300, as well as post Dec 2022 Speedmaster Professional have had this feature within their clasps. I agree though, it’ll be great to have this standard across all of their lineup.

I don’t see how Omagz could genuinely compete with Rolex as Rolex is established at a different level and they have all the finance they want without any shareholders to report to…

They sell a ton of other products not just watches that's how. Lol😅

discounts for what?

@@JW-qf2fx I have often been offered discounts just while looking at omega watches at the boutiques, but this is something that I’ve noticed hasn’t happened this year. Use to get offers 10%-20% just while window shopping new models without asking to try on. I was also wearing a newer omega while this happed for the record.

Discounts depreciate a brands value 🤔

@@miabeatz80 they do. But now I don’t feel like the watch is worth what they’re charging because they’ve always discounted and they just raised all their prices. The cats already out of the bag. lol

@@steveokie93 it's clear you don't "value" the improvements they've made so you won't be buying from them. However, many people do see the value and according to many grey market watch vendors Omega is their top seller. Many pre-owned Omega are selling for much more than original price. Example the ninetees bond 300 sold for $1k MSRP back then now $3k average.

I agree with many of your points. Another brand that creates the sub brand is Patek. They have the Calatrava and the Nautilus. Same with AP and the royal oak. These sub brands work because people know about the bond watch so even if it's not the same case the AT comes from the same lineage as it picks up ques from vintage Seamasters. Since Omega changed the design so many times (sigh😅) they have a more organic evolution.

Be careful. It’s an expensive and obsessive hobby. You’ve been warned.☣️☢️⚠️

@@thirstyowlthethird9409 good looking out lol, I can already tell there’s going to be some issues 😂

The Hans Wilsdorf Foundation owns Rolex and Tudor but it is also a real estate behemoth so if brands pulled out of Bucherer I would not anticipate many issues.

Definitely, Omega must improve their service centres and turnaround worldwide…

😂😂😂

Simple is not the same as easy. No one is capable of making a better watch than Rolex at that price point.

​@@cdm765I gotta say it's unrealistic to think any company would pour tons of money into r&d to make a better product than a competing company only to sell it for a much lower price. It's like saying Lexus is gonna make a faster better handling more reliable car than bmw and Mercedes then sell it for cheap. 😂 Omega has increased in success over the years and held a number two spot for a while. Yes Cartier is leading now but not by much especially given the fact that most of Omega new stock from last year isn't even available yet. We simply aren't giving them credit for their accomplishments. They have improved movements in every model to exceed Rolex standards with Metas along with creating a new movement this year with unrivalled accuracy. What more do we want. I too have a Christmas list of ideas to make some models better but we gotta give them some more respect.

Y’all are missing the point. They’ve already put in so much of the R&D work such that they already has several movements that are better (co-axial, jumping hour hands), and that are better decorated and displayed. They can, and often do, beat Rolex on both specs and price. But they have some missed opportunities and unforced errors on design. They will NOT close the gap of prestige and cultural power any time in the foreseeable future, but they CAN and SHOULD improve their designs, sizing, bracelets, etc so that they do not feel like the watch you settle for when you can’t find-afford the Rolex. They should close that gap until the consumer is left with no other conclusion than they want the Rolex name even if it costs more and isn’t actually a better product. Btw I have both an Omega and a Rolex, both of which I adore. Not crapping on either brand.

@@davenordsieck6444 Omega simply can’t nail a design. Speedmaster is the only exception. The market is also flooded with far too much inventory which lowers brand perception and makes steep discounting the norm.

@davenordsieck6444 When you say they can't nail a design how is it that the Seamaster is the most compared dive watch to the sub since 1995 and probably the second highest selling???? Also the pro plof is also a timeless design that is mostly unchanged since it's origin. Coming from a collector's point of view (which you sound like you are) Omega having a ton of models would be a problem. However for the buying public they just want more variety. Having more variety is what's allowed them to sell high revenue to make up for the lower prices per watch compared to Rolex. Cartier also has a ton of designs and this is why they are also competitive as well.

Love watch with emoji symbols and colorful bubbles on a dial exude high levels of class 👌😂

@@miabeatz80 Fair observation, but at least it is their watch and not a design rip off or weird collab. Further, it is still the same level of quality and craftsmanship that you get in the more "serious" Rolex.

@@realalexmackenzie the Rolex colors that Omega used aren't a lower caliber build quality than the original colors so I don't get your point. Also Rolex doesn't own a patent on colors. The Daytona which is the most popular Rolex is a Zenith design and original movement from them so you're point isn't very valid. Btw Rolex hasn't done a collaboration in years so it's a false comparison. Top brands like AP and Patek also do collabs so it's not a gimmick just because Rolex doesn't.

i dont think i seen any omegas in public tbh, mainly just the random rolex, apple watch, and no watch

Never going to happen, unfortunately. Omega is the Swatch Group's golden goose, and by far its most important brand.

@@neilmartin7776 Yeah I know. But it could be fun to think about what could happen if they did.

@@denisspratt926 I'd love to see it happen. Although they're not in the same league as Omega (financially, or brand recognition), I'm excited about the futures of Girard Perregaux and Ulysses Nardin now that they've both gone independent - I think they'll both start to draw on their respective back catalogues and produce some really good stuff. An independent Omega could be something really special.

What they need is to leave the Swatch Group.

Are you implying when you say "in house designers" that Omega designers work outside the company or come from Swatch group? 🤔

That’s an interesting perspective. Are Designers pooled across the Swatch Group ?

No. The opposite.

@@swampscott2670that would backfire.

Inflation

Bullshit, in less than a year the moonwatch has gone up by 1k. That’s not how inflation works buddy

also reduce number of SKUs and limited editions

I agree with some of your points. FYI Omega is the one dealing with ceramic not Rolex. Also Rolex have experimented with dials for years not just recently. Rolex wouldn't necessary be called the innovators of the watch industry IMO within the last 30 years. By that I mean no revolutionary movements or case designs. The small incremental changes have worked for them. It's a bit easier when most their watches have a similar case design. Omega I would say have finally found a Seamaster design that works but does need a diet lol😅

@@miabeatz80 I would disagree with what you said. The speed master still ships with an aluminum bezel and the unification of Rolex case design is their strong suit and brings a strong design language across its entire lineup. Omega has failed to change their designs and experiment. Movements aside omega has done so little to deviate from their original design that a new generation speed master is lackluster and boring. Rolex on the other hand constantly evolving their lineup that without realizing in 40 years you have a design that is still connecting to the original Daytona but has a completely refresh and new feel to it. Rolex absolutely push the boundaries of material and case design. They may not be attainable to the masses but they are a much better run company, better design thinking, and case engineering that challenges the best of Swiss watchmakers. Omega has failed to capitalize (not in dollars) on one of the greatest stories in watches and are too afraid to make a single change to their speedmaster. If only they evolved it’s design it would be a true competitor to the Daytona. But as it stands I don’t justify the price they demand for it

@@dibs6579 if you think the current speedmaster hasn't evolved to it's peak level you're wrong. Key difference from original speedy 1) crown guards 2) lyor lugs 3) slightly bigger dial 4) slimmer case 5) slimmer bracelet with micro adjustment 6) automatic movement 7) ceramic bezel on Ed white and anodised aluminium on regular (harder metal) 8) sunken Chrono registers. 9) animated case back on silver Snoopy. All these changes while retaining the spirit of a timeless design. You don't prefer Omega which is fine but you're not analyzing the details. Also with the Seamaster they IMO have perfected finishing of ceramic cases on a class leading level. To allow ceramic to look almost as if it's metal and first to do ceramic dial with engraving. Take a look at the Apollo 8 speedy. Lazer ablated skeleton case. Put some respect on Omega quickly 😂

That would be nice but watches in a certain price point lose average of 30% across the board. Only way to alleviate that problem is to limit supply. Then we'd be complaining how we're on a wait-list for a speedy 😂. Oh yeah and the price for entry would quickly increase.

People always compliment my Gshock when I wear it.

And Omega will fill it with cheap plastic toy watches 😂😂😂

Rolex is ordinary particularly its movements. More like toyota or lexus.

and Still Save Air Force British QATAR and REI Spain or BUSF

James Bond, Olympics, US Open, moon landing, and you still want more 😂 shrugs

Isn't that what JLC does? How's that working for them in comparison to Omega sales?

@@miabeatz80 This is true but Omega has a more established name, I think they need focus.

@@planetdee3587 I agree. It's taken them a long time to come up with a Seamaster design that's future proof. I don't think the current movement would be able to fit in the Bronson case from the ninetees so the current model IMO is a good evolution of that design. I would like a slimmer case and slimmer bracelet but I think otherwise the design is a success. They have the speedy, and the pro plof which are timeless designs. The constellation could use some work.

@@miabeatz80 This is why I think they need to have less variants of their current models and slim it down but then introduce a new set of 4 or so watches that never change but ever so slightly every 10 years or so. The new line would cater to those who like more traditional classic watches. The entire Rolex lineup is classic traditional in design save for maybe 2 or 3 watches and those are often the ones nobody buys (vs the others). People often desire what the established people want or have and established older people often want simple and classy. Omega does not have simple classy in their lineup. And just throwing gold on a thick sports watch does not make it classy.

​@@planetdee3587 Valid points. When you look at some other newer successful brands like RM. They aren't doing anything classic. The watches are oversized outlandish colors yet highly technical movements. They aren't cornering the watch market but they are sticking to their ethos which is vastly opposite of Rolex. Same way since way back Omega has been know for larger cases ie (speedy, pro plof) you'd be asking them to change something that's been this way for decades. Even the earlier mil spec seamster were larger in diameter than the 39-40mm some people want. Rolex is the only watch company in history that sells the volume of watches it does at as high of a price as it does. To compare any other brand against that anomaly is simply unfair.

Yeah, people complained for years about Omega’s LEs but cant deny that they do put the brand in the headlines multiple times throughout the year and drum the hype for the brand. Compare that to 2023 where Omega had like what, 3 smallish headlines? There’s the Spirate launch, the Mikonos Seamaster summer collection launch, and maybe the release of the titanium world timers. That’s it. They could benefit from releasing some LEs again.

Maybe I'm a bit biased as a huge Omega fan but which historical references that sold amazing did they discontinue. They still sell the speedy, pro plof, constellation, and Seamaster. Any other model would kinda be your personal favorite. We look at the fact that Omega is way behind Rolex in total sales revenue but they sell watches that average half the price of Rolex but sell almost as many units. 🧐

@@miabeatz80 Omega should focus on their historical pieces from the 40' to the 60', also the old romania moments like the 33.3 and so on, not chasing Rolex withe the copy and paste models and colors. What makes Rolex great that they dictate the trends not follow, they just do their own thing...

@@user-fi5fr9us2t Rolex has great designs and arguable the best GMT and diver in the industry. However, they aren't without flaws. Many might say aside from a different dial or bezel color there is really no innovation coming from Rolex. Only small improvements in their movements which aren't Geneve seal nor at Metas level. The old models you speak of were not the best sellers of Omega and by reintroducing those Omega would essential switch their focus to dress style watches. IMO Tudor has copied Omega relentlessly Blue diver, focus on titanium and ceramic cases, even copied the Metas certification. Now people love Tudor.... Wonder why 😂

@@user-fi5fr9us2t BTW if you aren't familiar with some of the Omega lineup you may want to look at the Globemaster it is a remake of the Genta designed C-case with pie pan dial. Very well proportioned and really nothing like any other brand.