Omega counts a rich heritage that dates to 1848, when it was founded by Swiss watchmaker Louis Brandt. Its first release was in 1894 — the 19-ligne calibre created by Francois Chevillat, a piece that used interchangeable parts, allowing for repairs, a revolutionary development at the time.
The Swiss watchmaker also has the oldest watch museum dedicated to the history of a single brand. The Omega museum is easily among the most comprehensive and immersive watch museums in the world, and a must-see for any watch enthusiast visiting the city of Biel. It houses around 4,000 watches, a collection that includes movements, clocks, instruments, tools, photos, engravings, posters, signs, awards and certificates.
Now a slice of that museum is making its way to the U.S., to Chelsea Factory in New York City, from Nov. 9 to 19. Called Planet Omega, the exhibition will offer visitors a chance to deep dive into five facets of the Omega story: Sports, Olympic Games, Ocean, James Bond, and, of course, Space.
“Omega has a very close connection with the USA,” Raynald Aeschlimann, chief executive officer, told WWD. “If you think back to our role with NASA, for example, we have a very strong reputation in this country and it’s growing all the time. For that reason, it felt right to bring our Planet Omega exhibition to New York.”
“We found the perfect, spacious location at the Chelsea Factory, and we carefully selected watches that we knew would best demonstrate our brand DNA,” Aeschilmann said.
The exhibit will touch on the journey of the brand, including prized Omega timepieces that rarely leave Switzerland, such as the first Ladymatic from 1955; a 44 brilliant-cut diamond-encrusted Omega wristwatch worn by Elvis Presley; the Omega Slimline watch worn by John F. Kennedy at his presidential inauguration ceremony in 1961; the CK2998 Speedmaster worn by astronaut Wally Schirra aboard the Sigma 7 Mercury mission, and a 1932 Omega Marine (often considered to be the first diver’s watch made for civilians).
There’s also an original split-second chronograph used to time the Olympic Games in 1932, and a James Bond section, in which Omega showcases how the relationship has developed since 1995, when 007 started wearing the brand.
“The Planet Omega exhibition is a reminder of the genuine journey we’ve been on. Yes, we make watches, but those watches have served a purpose in so many lives. It’s a celebration, not only of the timepieces we’ve made — but of the people who have worn them,” Aeschlimann said.
