OMEGA

Few Swiss luxury watch brands have had more historical impact on our popular culture than Omega, founded by Louis Brandt in 1848 (and taking up the name Omega, from one of the Brandt firm’s leading calibers, in 1903). One of the watch industry’s most trend-setting leaders, Omega created some of the first minute repeaters and tourbillons for the wrist, and was the first to use the revolutionary co-axial escapement in its calibers. By far its best known watch model is the Speedmaster Professional, aka the “Moonwatch,” which in 1969 became the first watch worn on the moon ands has been a mainstay of NASA space missions ever since. Omega has been a timing partner of the Olympics since 1932 and regularly releases collectible special editions in concert with the Games. Since 1995, Omega has been the official watch of James Bond, with both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig sporting the naval-inspired Seamaster model in various iterations on the big screen. In recent years, Omega has also become a partner of the PGA Tour, developing Aqua Terra watches with the input of golf champs like Rory McIlroy.

Founded: 1848

Headquarters: Bienne, Switzerland

Ownership: Swatch Group

Notable models: Speedmaster, Seamaster 300, Constellation, De Ville

Did you know: A special gold Omega Speedmaster, personalized for President Richard M. Nixon but never worn by him because of statutes that wouldn't allow him to accept the gift, now resides in Omega's Museum in Bienne