It's a Russian nesting doll (which were likely never originally invented in russia but rather somewhere in china). Inside it there is George Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Ford and Nixon. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any that go further back, but I would love to have the full line of american presidents all the way back to the very first one. The american president, regardless of who it is, is the most powerful individual on the planet so I have some trinkets to symbolize that. I recently bought an updated nesting doll that now has Biden and Trump as well and whoever wins the next election - I will buy that doll as well. Cheers. 😃😃😃
Swatch is horribly mismanaging Blancpain and Breguet. As far as Omega goes too many choices is not better-throwing dozens of variants of the same watch against the wall and seeing which ones stick isn’t the answer. Another commenter mentioned a couple older Seamaster references (1165.024 and 2254.50) that would be killer if updated and made for sale again. Omega deserves some tough love 😎! Great video as always, best regards.
at least they are somewhat 'managing' blancpain and breguet, albeit 'mismanaged.' compare that to glashutte original which is not even 'managed', wandering around aimlessly towards uncharted territory (destined to irrelevance)
Good observation. My gut feeling tells me that Richemont and LVMH are doing a far better job in general on running their brands, where Swatch is still trying to figure out to do it. Typical conglomerate problems where they haven't figured out how much the individual brands get to go it alone, where they have to find "synergies" (like shared movement technologies). Omega has likely been allowed to "go their own way" organisationally where the others have been forced into a mold more agressively and now when they numbers are off the mark (because of covid, olympics cancellation, bond delays etc), suddenly momma swatch says to Omega - You're going to help out Swatch with the moonwatch. Getting carried away now - That would be more of a talk for a channel about organisational dysfunction... Thanks for commenting as always 😀😀😀😀
Couldn’t agree more, Blancpain, Breguet, GO all would need some attention. This is horrible. GO has absolutely crazy capabilities, look at the PanoRetroGraph chrono that can run backwards, chime and fly back and whatnot….pits maybe even triple split chrono to shame and nobody knows about it……
This watch is vastly superior than anything most other brands can offer. If it had Patek on the dial people would lose their minds. Omega will still be here in 100 years.
“In trouble” feels like an overstatement. Omega will still be here in 20 years. Kodak is in trouble. BlackBerry was in trouble. Omega may need to refocus, but that’s about it.
I don't think Omega are in crisis at all, they are making some great watches. I tried on the green ceramic world timer, it is gorgeous and definitely on my wishlist! I know the speed master is the go to Omega for many people and they make some great versions, grey side of the moon is a stunner, but also the planet ocean deep black range is amazing. I don't see other manufacturers producing such a wide range of great watches. I wouldn't look at the volume too much, turnover is vanity, profit is sanity.
This was an amazing watch and a very thoughtful analysis of Omega's current state of affairs. Being an Omega fanboy myself I'm just baffled by their recent releases. Lack of focus and being out of touch with the market, this sums it up perfectly. I wonder though, if they've ever shown focus in the past as a company. If you look at their catalogue, historically, it's always been all over the place. It almost feels as if different teams work on different products without really talking to each other or having a common underlying philosophy or set of principles that guides them. I wonder if this lack of unified intent is inherent to Omega and something we might need to simply accept. But, as you noted, this is clearly harming their business and the competition is coming for them. Tudor is clearly after them, and their knocking it out of the park with every release. If these two players continue on their current rajectories, I wouldn't be surprised if Tudor surpasses Omega in a couple of years, at least in terms of brand recognition and appeal. I truly hope that alarm bells will finally ring in Bienne and that Omega will work towards a more astute positioning, that will work on consolidating their offering and that more generally they will manage to align brand, positioning and product. BTW I really like your videos and the fact that you're not afraid to speak your mind and risking saying controversial things. Keep the good work!
Thanks - Really glad you appreciate my style. I try to share my opinions and hopefully people see them as that - I do my best not to state opinions as fact. I'm cool with people not agreeing as long as they feel that my approach delivers some sort of value to the conversation. I agree with you on Tudor. They have a significantly more focused approach to building their brand and strengthening their market position (and their production it seems). They are definitely going to continue to go places.' Thanks for contributing as well. See you back here again soon 😃😃😃😃
Not unless Tudor sorts out their QC issues and ups their build quality to Omegas level. I don't even think Tudor is in the top 10 selling watch brands.
A solid analysis, love Omega, but surely less is more. Like when you go to a fine restaurant, it’s better to see a few dishes that they absolutely nail and than a phone book thick menu of choices that are lacklustre….
Big Omega fan and they don’t have the wanker baggage associated with Rolex but I honestly think I could run Omega better myself. Constant mistakes and ridiculous price hikes combined with awful releases recently are mind boggling. The Speedmaster release was their only half decent release in recent year’s although the adjustable clasp should have been fitted from day one. The Seamaster needs a massive overhaul and it better be good. Heavy unrefined terrible bezel action and too thick and too shiny to name a few problems. The Aqua Terra shades release was a disaster. The date window looks better now but what a mess. No micro adjustment again too. Just do a Aqua Terra with a normal clasp and with micro adjustment. As it stands the Moon watch is Omega’s only watch I would touch and that’s a design from the 60’s. Omega better have a very sorted Seamaster in the pipeline or they are in trouble.
God forbid that Omega makes a wide variety of watches that adhere to their heritage and design language. Why not just make 1 watch dial and case, and then give it 4 different names: submariner, explorer, yachtmaster, and a gmt. Now thats what I call creative variety.
You make some great points. I do however see titanium / ceramic being beneficial for watches worn with rubber / nylon straps. I find they are much less “top heavy” and wear far more comfortably. The weight of a stainless cased watch is much less noticeable when worn with a metal bracelet… Just my 2c.
Dei discorsi commerciali mi interessa poco, giudicare un 43 mm un grasso orologio da parete è da squilibrato. Questo orologio è il più bello ed interessante che vedo in una fascia umana costruito negli ultimi 40 anni. Da appassionato di orologi non comprerei un Rolex ad 1/3 del suo prezzo, invece farei faville per questo Omega aquaterra world time
Apart from and since the Speedmaster watches which were REAL USEABLE TIMEPIECES in the real world, they seemed to have survived on a succession of FILM PROPS. Yes these themed FILM PROPS have excellent internals and functionality....BUT.....what have they produced in volume that appeals to watch collectors ? Let's go larger, let's go much more expensive, let's go after pre proven styles from other sellers. . Omega need to find an identity of their own. watch officionado's know that they are higher quality internally than the big R but without a true identity this means nothing to those outside the market. Mass appeal will not be realised until a true self identity away from film props has been established.
Excellent point about identity. I believe you’re totally on point. Omegas needs to ask themselves who they are and what they want to be more than just what they think customers want. Great point 👍👍👍
Knowing Omega they probably will at some point. Variety, variety, variety. But then it'll be limited edition, wierdly priced and they'll only get the production up and running a year after they announce it.... 🤦♂️ 😂😂
This is why Tudor is eating their lunch. Tudor has no quarterly earnings result to publish - they can listen to collectors and respond. Swatch group pressures Omega for quick bucks, instead of addressing fundamental issues. Thick movements, slow hand sweep, confusing catalogue, poor bracelets (unlike t fit), and far too many special editions.
Don't get me started on Swatch group - I've got a video coming saturday about the whole Blancpain Swatch (not the watch itself - but more the direction Swatch group is taking things).... Hope you stop by to watch it 😃
Omega is 2nd behind Rolex in total market share in the watch world. Omega is ahead of all other watch brands except Rolex. So I think Omega is doing just fine.
Small correction - According to the Morgan Stanley watch report they dropped to third behind Rolex and Cartier about 3 years ago. Cartier and Rolex have since then consistently outperformed Omega in terms of volume. Something that I also explicitly speak to in the video 😀 Apart from that inaccuracy, well maybe - I totally buy that I may be wrong. Just sharing my perspective Cheers 😀😀😀
The variety overload is distracting…. They need to slim their ranges significantly and create a less scattergun identity… a bit of product conviction please Omega rather than 20 shades of everything
And if I were the CEO of Swatch, I would absolutely fire the Omega CEO right now without a second thought, whatever his name is. The guy clearly enjoys cozying up to A-list Hollywood actors and splurging them with lucrative endorsement deals rather than competing seriously against the Crown.
When omega couldn't release a simple 3 handed aqua terra with a new bracelet I lost all respect for the brand. 13 months later I am never buying the watch.
i got a seamaster and i love this watch for me its better than a sub but it's just my opinion RN i hesitate between the speedmaster moonphase and the worldtimer but didnt find the titanium in black ... that the prob what do you think ?
Tough choice. Never buy without having tried of course. I think both are too large but personally if I had to pick the moonphase is just a cooler complication IMO... but like I said, they're both too big for me 😀
Good question - maybe as a niche offering, but from a pure market perspective, most people (especially them with money) are to be found in the northern hemisphere. As a South African I could be enticed to consider a world timer that was southern hemisphere 😃😃
Rolex, and AP are more focused and concerned on advertising on how many celebrities wear Rolex at basketball games, Golf, Tennis, and F1. That makes them cool and desired. Omega is advertising to scientists in the Mariana Trench. Thats the issue Omega has because if Omega advertised on F1, Golf, Tennis, and if celebrities would wear Omegas at basketball games and flash their sea masters etc...Omega could just sale date just watches for decades at 12k without modifying anything.
I think you are 100% correct, omega lacks focus. Too many models no one wants. And, they have a killer back catalog of potential they can’t make room for.
Their situation kind of reminds me of IWC. Love Omega, but too many models. I really like this Worldtimer, but yes, needs focus. The most telling point is @9:30 - too many similar signs on that signpost. Great video as always; you need more subscribers!!
@@Bestow3000 100wr would be good. Yes, an auto option would be good as well, as long as it didn’t make it too thick. I personally like the manual wind for watch interaction and also viewing the movement with the display case back. According to the Omega website the Speedmaster is ok for swimming but mine will never see water haha.
Very interesting insights. However, personally, I will not wear a watch under 40mm. I especially do not like 38mm and I am surprised that you consider >42mm to be "oversized".
My dad was an Omega fan back in the 70th. I was very proud to receive one of his seamaster when I graduated. With the James Bond connection and 300m dominance in the 90th and 2000 the fame an position of Omega grow to an all time high. Been part of Swatch group damaged the brand heavily. To sacrifice the iconic moon watch to boost swatch was the nail in the coffin. Some friends are selling thei Omegas out and jump into this RX madness overhyped movement. So I fully agree with your brilliant analysis and I’m also hoping that the strategic head at Omega are listening to turn this around. Thank you for this one.
Sorry to state it that bluntly but what you write is just nonsense. Omega would have gone out of business a long time ago had the Swatch Group not bought them. They saved Omega, not ruin them. The MoonSwatch also didn't harm the Moonwatch. It brought more attention to it, not replace it. And how could it have done it? It is obvious that it is a fun watch, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. I don't know anybody who wanted a Speedy but then went to the Swatch instead. I also do not agree that this was a "brilliant analysis". I heard nothing new in this video. Omega also had a large variety years and decades ago and that didn't stop them from being successful. And when it comes to "pioneering" there is of course no obvious demand. Pioneering means to explore unknown territory and therefore per se bears the risk of failure. But it also bears the chance to discover something unknown yet.
@@Harry-tb8yo I couldn't agree more as an owner of both a Moonwatch (aquired several years ago - I love it!) and a MoonSwatch I purchased recently. I got the latter just for fun (most likely, I will never wear it). Obviously, there's no comparison, and this was never the point. I think it was a brilliant marketing move to make OMEGA a household name. It goes without saying that the vast majority of MoonSwatch owners will never care to buy the real thing, but I bet that some will. Time will tell. Regardless, it'd be coll to see a father wearing his Moonwatch and the son sporting a MoonSwatch (Mission to the Moon or Mercury), "comparing" them and talking about them and how one day the son will inherit the real thing or buy his own with the 1st fat paycheck.
I recently got an Omega Globemaster sedna gold and steel / blue dial as a 20 year anniversary present from the company I work for. It wasn't "free", it cost me 20 years of my life... Seriously, though, it's a thing of beauty, even if it took a little bit of time to grow on me. It's my first watch of any note as well. I think (sadly for my bank account), I may have caught the watch collecting disease. I'm not sure I'll be buying Omega though, as there are other designs I like more.
One nit pick. Equating swiss quartz = entire quartz market is misleading. 95% of all watches produced are still quartz. And smart watches can be included as part of the digital watch market. It's mechanical watches that are losing share and dying long term. Go walk about and check wrists. I almost never see a mechanical watch now. I'm now more likely to see the apple watch. The Morgan Stanley report said 90 million smart watches sold, which is multiples of the entire swiss watch production. That's the real take away. That's the future.
It’s not a nit pick on your part actually. I speak of the swiss market for quartz watches as if it’s all there is. Citizen, Seiko, casio would all likely beg to disagree. 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ Inadvertant eurocentrism all the way on my part 🤦♂️ The trend / conclusion though is the same as you so correctly point out. Digital / smartwatches are where it’s at and it’s primarily quartz and the lower end of mechanicals that is feeling the brunt of that development… Thanks for adding that level of nuance. Really appreciated 😀🤜
Didn’t take it as a criticism at all. In 15 minutes of video with editing demands etc, though some nuance can be lost and I really do appreciated it getting added back in, in the comments. Glad you enjoy my vids 😀
Omega can produce watches in smaller sizes. Speedmaster 321, FOIS, CK2998 (blue, black version), Seamaster - Railmaster - Speedmaster Trilogy 1957, Aqua Terra 38mm. Omega still decides to make most of their watches in unwearable sizes (diameter, thickness). The smaller versions must not sell that great. I don't understand it either. My average 7 inch wrist does not fit these huge Omegas. Blancpain does same thing. Every couple Blancpain produces a limited 40mm Fifthy Fathoms, which sells out immediately. Their 45mm FF is always available. Someone must recognize the smaller versions sells out, but decides to ignore it.
Good point with Blancpain. I've digged the fifty fathoms for the longest time, but there's no way I'm spending that much cash on the 45 mil version and I'm not high enough up on any AD waitlist to get one those few 40s. It's annoying. This is why Tudor is killing it for better or worse right now. Good design (if potentially a little bland), but in. the. right. sizes.... Thanks for sharing 😀
I have multiple Omegas - my last one a 1963 beauty. I don't care about new releases or their sales numbers. That green one is a bit freakish, our planet is blue.
I owner of several Omega. One of which is the world timer . The watch is big for a purpose …. It is readable, and I enjoy its versatility. For the amount choice I must agree with you. It took me 20 visit to the Omega boutique before pulling the trigger on the world timer.
I only recently discovered your channel and, after subbing and binging a few of your videos, this one really hit the nail on the head for me. I absolutely adore Omega and feel so frustrated that one of the brands with more History and carisma has fallen behind and in a Swatch Group limbo as a spearhead for imaginary windmills depriving it of its core identity and fighting someone else’s battles. Should and could stand alone in it’s marketing and development strategy. Well done for putting this so clearly, hope the Swatch group head honchos are listening.
There is always the speedmaster pro. Most other models are just r&d that doesn’t go off. Best thing to happen to Omega is the Swstch Omega Moonwstch. It establishes their legend to the new generation. Pushing the original moon watch should be easy.
Fair interpretation. The moonswatch may very well open watches up to a new generation of buyers. I'm personally not convinced but for sure - time will tell. It's like the Mercedes A-class (not the first boxy one, but the new sleeker design). It had two jobs. 1. Make Mercedes look less like an old dudes car 2. Make a mercedes "affordable" to young up and coming professionals. Maybe the moonswatch will do that... Thanks for contributing 😀😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Maybe not a strong correlation but Omega Speedmaster Pro sales went up by 30-40% during the SeatchOmega craze last year. Cheers.
I think their larger size +43mm are just too Gen X.S. for the niche collectors these days. I can get away with a the historic Moon watch 42mm and Seamaster 41mm. All the others Speedmaster, Seamaster, and Aqua Terra models just feels like it was made for a professional athlete with big guns and their bigger wallets.
I agree with you that Omega has far too many variations of basically the same watch design but I will disagree with you when it comes to the Worldtimer in Steel with the blue rubber strap. I currently have 4 Omegas in my collection from a 1957 Seamaster to a P.O. With the 2500 calibre movement to a Aqua Terra with the snowflake dial to finally the above mentioned blue Worldtimer, all the watches, with the exception of the 1957 version, get good wrist time but I lean more towards the Worldtimer as I love the features but more importantly the focus to detail in excellent. I hope Omega slims down the number of variations within the ranges but I do hope they never loose their creativity.
Astute analysis. I like to say "would you prefer if they didn't make it?" and you must command them for trying to open up another sub-genre but the oversize factor is undeniable. I own the green on rubber, basically because I happened to be there when the AD got it and liked it enough to buy it, but I can't really say it was an aspirational watch. I did like the blue though so the new colour was probably the push over the cliff. But long term, am I ready to travel with it and beat it up, I'm not sure. And when you're not sure, you know you got a problem...
I feel like I’ve seen this video a million times by a million people. It boils down to the old “Omega should be more like Rolex”. It sounds like a good idea to me, but I figure Omega and Swatch Group probably know a lot more than you and I.
Its not an Omega problem. its a Swatch problem. I think Swatch has too many brands and cant focus on where those brands need to be positioned. They want Omega to be the flagship but it can lead to exactly what you said in the video. Too much variety trying to please everyone. Citizen has a similar problem. As much as i love all the Swatch brands they need to dump some. Focus on the core Hamilton, tissot, longines, omega, and then ONE haut horology brand. My pick is Blancpain. I think this world time could fit right into thier catalog. Make the fifty fathoms great again.
Great review. I own this in Blue/Rubber, and it looks and feels significantly better than a steel bracelet and is very comfortable. This watch has two major design flaws: First, the inner dial showing world time is so tiny that it is impossible to read under low light conditions or if you need reading glasses. The watch has enough space to make this bigger and would have made a significant difference. It looks like form took precedence over function. Also, the color choice for the world time numbers is a joke; someone decided to make the numbers in a light color against light blue background and make it as small as possible. That person deserves to be fired :) Second, the crown is not sized appropriately..it looks like a pimple on a thick case. Also, working the crown is a REAL pain. I hate using the crown. Compared to other brands I own, winding this crown is something I do not look forward to.
While I agree with some of your points. You’ve clearly purposefully missed a lot of valid points and misrepresented points. Did Rolex sell a huge amount. Yes. Did the vast majority of those watches end up on the grey market. Yes. Now that Rolex prices are dropping daily and the availability of watches in store is abundant will Rolex see growth like it has over covid again. No. You think the Moonswatch has hurt Omega. A completely uneducated take, it’s brought their moonwatch sales up massively, it’s gotten a completely new generation of people through the doors of Omega boutiques. Rolex will always be Rolex, but to act like Omega is in anyway subpar is laughable. If anything, they’re keeping a customer base of watch enthusiasts who simply refuse to play the Rolex game. In the time I waited for a datejust I bought a sapphire sandwich moonwatch and a Seamaster Seaweed. I got the datejust after a long time, guess what. My next watch is going to be an Aqua Terra. I’m not going to play the Rolex game because my watches are to be worn and not for the ever diminishing grey market.
The main problem with Omega is twofold. Firstly, they make watches that punch way above their price point. Take the Speedy pro. With it's vast history and well executed design there's no way it should be sold for less than a Cartier Santos. However, folks have become so accustomed to the tech and design at a steal of a price that they refuse to pay more even though the brand is constantly evolving with a grail product (speedy). Secondly, in order for the company to bring in new customers at the rate of Rolex they would have to create a product that is more Rolex like. Whenever I see reviews about what could change to make the Seamaster sell better it all sounds like submariner pt2. Tapering bracelet, slimmer case, same design bezel..... Change the hands 😮. While gaining new fans they lose the old ones. Case in point, aside from the bezel action the NTTD Seamaster is a perfect watch IMO. However, people complain about the price when in reality it's priced the same as a no date sub at retail (only few can get at retail). 11k grey market sub vs 7k NTTD....I know which one I'm buying.
It's strange, every time I go to Omega boutique I can't find anything worth spending money on. It's either too mass-market like Bond watch and Speedmaster or looks strange. I have a big wrist and even though they have 42-43 mm case diameter it wears often smaller than 41 or even some 40mm watches cause the lugs are tiny. Maybe I would buy green and gold Moonphase and 34mm aqua terra for my wife. These are great timepieces.
The Aquaterra is a grail watch for me and it has surpassed the VfM red line and resides comfortably in the opportunity basket. I watched with bated breath to see if the stats turned me off the value proposition, and they had the opposite effect. So, I wonder - is Omega adopting Rolex's IDGAF business model and capitalising on the hype as a way to gauge lineup optimisation, OR are they simply drunk with iteration for the sake of iteration?
Having too many models and variants also sends their customers the message that they're subservient, trying too hard to please and pander to every taste. Whereas, being able to focus on fewer choices, and make them excellent, is to project a stance of leadership and confidence; Buy an Omega because they're a thought leader. In that respect, Omega is letting us down, and their actions are really starting to resemble Swatch Watches, or traditional music publishers for that matter: Throw everything at the wall, hoping that the few really successful ones will make up for the ones that don't succeed. And like the Swatch Watch boutique, Omega and their ADs can only provide enough shelf space for a limited selection, often not what you wanted.
I'm inclined to agree. "giving people what they want" can come across as a little "try hard" and having through the whole looking at limited editions that you can't have is just frustrating. Thanks for taking the time to contribute 😀😀😀
My gut reaction is that if Omega is in danger of anything, it's not being Rolex or Cartier, the go-to luxury watch brands for men and women, respectively. I recall a review of a recent reference SMP where the reviewer said that the watch would be perfect if only Omega made a few design tweaks, and then unironically listed changes that would turn that SMP into a Submariner. Not much Omega can do about that, other than lean towards smaller watches and recapture that portion of the market not being served. As for the Swatch collaboration, it introduced a lot of young people who otherwise could not afford a luxury watch, to Omega, by creating a FOMO event. Only time will tell if that pays dividends for Omega down the road.
Mike- very eloquently put! Despite the contentious subject, I found myself nodding along in agreement for 15 consecutive minutes. It is nice to not see so many “Limited Edition” Omegas these days, but it still feels like some rebel team in their product dept manages to churn them out annually when the higher ups are out at lunch. I love that you acknowledged and praised some of the consistent design motifs in this release. This is not intuitive to Omega’s design team - they’ve been learning it slowly for decades. If you haven’t covered it yet, I would be interested to hear more of your thoughts on Omega’s naming conventions. The Seamaster 300 vs Seamaster 300m vs Seamaster Planet Ocean vs. Seamaster Master Chronometer Small Seconds - what is a Seamaster? Why is this so confusing? (The 300 vs 300m is especially agonizing to me). It would be like Rolex calling every watch with a dive bezel a Submariner instead of birthing the Yacht-Master, the Sea-Dweller, etc. Very impressed with the way you tackle difficult subjects in the videos of yours I’ve watched so far. Your breadth of knowledge in so many subjects, from product design to business, is truly impressive.
Thanks. I love Omega, have a speedmaster and have had other models. For me loving a brand and also finding fault / finding places where they should improve are not incompatible to me. Glad you enjoy my vids 😃😃😃
If we look for direct read dial world timer - not doing any conversion in mind, and can swim with it - very few option left, this one, vercheron overseas workd timer. Parek / Nomos need stay dry.
Was ready to purchase a Moonwatch for my birthday after a month of research and visiting dealers. Then heard last week that they're increasing prices - again. So I'm moving onto a different watch to add to my collection. Moonwatch was £5k not too long ago, now it's going to be c. 8k from 1st March. It's not worth that.
For me the perfect world timer is the JLC Master Geographic ...One near the top of my wish list. i do Love the Ti version of this Omega but it's just too large for me as I have tried on the steel version. Alas.
I own the blue dial on blue strap, by far The best one in my opinion besides the white dial gold option. The new color-way additions do not make sense to me. That ceramic bezel that matches the strap doesn’t look right. Also the blue & white dial has a better, more realistic depiction of the world map.
Thoughts on Omegas price increases lately? A Omega Seamaster 300 cost 56000 NOK 3 years ago, and know its 68000 NOK and the AD said another 8-10 % increase in june/july. I dont see Omegas retail being a good deal as it was.
They used to be more reasonably priced. For a long time they seem to have been chasing Rolex and now they're at a price where it isn't always a given that it's a good deal. Then again, all the producers have been raising prices consistently. I think a lot of producers have overextended themselves to levels that aren't sustainable. (not that they'll ever lower them though)😃
I don’t know why they chose Grade 2 over Grade 5 but can’t imagine it is due to the price difference of the metal. The cost of the metal has very little to do with the overall cost of the watch. Does anyone really think the metal in the gold version costs $20k more than the steel? I don’t think so.
The metal itself is about 60% more expensive in grade 5. But you’re right, it’s not the material itself, that’s the problem. The key is that in manufacturing the watch there’s a higher wastage rate plus higher tooling costs on g5 (due to tools both needing to be harder themselves but also due to tool damage/ wear and tear) - you should expect that to retain the same margin on a g5 model, you have to add up of 10% to the msrp (especially if you’re going for lots of detailing, polish etc) That’s another 1000 usd (give or take) on a worldtimer….
Omega is certainly in some sort of crisis. Their endless choice of models, very very poorly chosen B grade ambassadors, the whole brand just seems confused. Gone the days, when greats like Schumacher, Popov, Thorpe, Hingis, Phelps, and other icons were endorsing their products. I have to say though my 2016 non spectre version of seamaster master co-axial, on the black-grey nato is an absolute beauty. Propably the last proper watch omega has produced.
Interesting point. They are one of the brands that are pretty steadfast in having professional brand ambassadors and I keep wondering if the time for that approach has past. IMO Ed Sheeran choosing AP on his own accord is far more powerful than Eddie Redmayne being paid a bucketload to do a commercial.... Thanks for contributing 👍😃
Too many SKUs, not enough availability on last year's releases, blowing all their budget on weird Hollywood celebrities advertising instead of putting it into R&D to reduce the case sizes and follow market trends. You are right, Omega is losing their way, I don't understand why they skip Watches and Wonders. Do they really believe they are above the biggest watch show of the year? And what have they even released this year outside of the super racing speedmaster and those worldtimer models? Very disappointing showing from Omega, I am quickly losing my interest on a Speedmaster 57 I wanted to purchase at the beginning of 2023 that is still not available at my local AD. And apparently they are planning for another price increase in July??? The 2022 releases will go through two price increases while being out of sight from AD windows. Omega has lost the plot lately and need to get their act together because watch collectors won't have the same patience for this brand than for the Rolex, AP and Patek of this world.
We're in complete alignment. AT Shades? Launched a year ago. Only just made it into stores. Covid lockdown, Olympics cancellations and what not have really rattled them for sure... thanks for contributing your thoughts. It's really appreciated. 😀😀
Just got recommended your channel and very glad the YT algo is for once doing its job! I thinks yours is an interesting and not inaccurate take. Omega's SKU cosmos is so odd, but it stems from a simple fact that not many know: discontinued SKUs are kept in the catalogue while they remain in stock either at Omega ('add to basket' from Omega direct) or at some ADs ('contact boutique'). Omega apparently do not buy back stock and immediately delete SKUs once they are replaced (as Rolex does). This even extends to LEs commemorating eg Olympics which can hang around for years. All SWATCH brands do the same thing. I assume this is to support ADs who hold discontinued inventory, but who obviously don't want to look as if they hold old stock (as Richemont do).
I'm happy YT helped you find me and glad some of my thoughts resonated with you. The whole Omega online experience is a wierd one. I mean - fair enough, you still have a couple of Tokyo 2020 aqua terras in stock and why not try and sell them, but honestly it comes across as a mess. Sell them in the stores, not online. At some point you just have to take the L and accept that it's not going to sell anymore. 😃
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Indeed! Tokyo 2020 is quite recent - I'm sure I saw a last gen Seamaster Commander and maybe even a Rio 2016 LE the last time I looked! One reason I think Omega is reducing its LE output - dates a range quickly. But does little to help with the old Conis, POs and precious metal Seamaster 300s jamming the pages!
Such great points here. You know, there is a book, Predictably Irrational, that talks about human behavior. In one example the book talks about a study in which a supermarket sometimes chose to offer a bunch of jam on discount. Then on some other days, they offered three choices, all on the same discount. On the days that only three choices were offered, they sold more jam. Because, you see, humans don't really like making choices as much as you might think. It is possible to bewilder a consumer with too much choice, which is certainly an issue with Omega. It is amazing to me, for example, that many of their very high end watches in precious metals, don't even have the 'master' variant of the movement in it. Or in this example, it IS a niche product, and certainly doesn't need that many varieties. In one review, the reviewer noted that on this model, the date has a very lazy slide from one date to the next, instead of a more satisfying 'snap' around midnight. For years Omega have been touting the co-axial, yet in reality it tends to have a lower power reserve and a lower beat rate (thus looking less smooth on the sweep). And just recently they introduced a new Speedmaster that has a new type of silicon spring in it, because one of the flaws of their current silicon spring is that it is harder to adjust and regulate, than say the way Rolex do it. I too like Omega, and have owned many. But there is WAY too much choice. Far too many of their watches are too big, both in diameter, and more importantly in height. They have failed to keep up with bracelet and clasp innovation. Going back to this world timer, it's pretty clear from the look of the rubber strap what kind of taper they think looks good, yet they can't pull it off with the metal version. They really do need to focus. Trim the fat both in terms of the size of the catalogue, and in terms of the average thickness of their watch. Again, not trying to hate here, they are a great company. But if the numbers shown in this video are accurate, they are being left behind by competitors, despite having ridiculous resources at their disposal. I would much rather see them get serious with their core lines, really make them the absolute best they can be. And stop spinning their wheels with such a ridiculous number of iterations of every single watch.
We're on the same page. I love omega but I just think they can be a bit better, a bit more focused and ultimately sacrificing a little variety for a few better watches is a trade off I'm willing to make (and they'll make more money on the bottom line). Cheers and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Really appreciated 😀😀😀
Hello - Well you asked for contradiction so may I say that while I see many comments here applauding you for being spot on, in contrast it seems to me that this video would have criticized the Wright Brothers the same way… whose innovation and thought leadership led to a giant industry and the eventual creation of titanium.
Great Commentary. All good points. I have the 2222.80. I would not trade it for all the money in the world. (Almost) Omega can do better. Some other comments say Omega really need to work on getting their cases smaller and thinner, I agree. I think the Pandemic gave people too much time to "Think". (Marketing) In addition delays in production/manufacturing creating a rush to push out product. (MoonSwatch). So I'm going to lean towards that Omega will redirect their line in the next couple of years. Oh and then there's a new Bond(?)
Thanks. Glad you found it relevant. I don't think Omega are going out of business or anything but just like Zenith was nowhere a couple of years ago, I just feel Omega are a bit in the doldrums as it were. They must have the skills and the people to turn it around and who wouldn't want a new bond watch? 😀😀😀
Terrific analysis again. Omega and Seiko both suffer from offering too many models and options. As for Omega, I tried on the blue and steel WT and really, really, wanted to love it. But alas, it was just too chunky for my 6.75 in wrist. If Omega could do the watch in the Moonwatch case, I would be all over it.
"Problems" - you say ? Well, I suspect, IWC, Breitling, Chopard, Longines, Zenith and Tag Heuer would totally ENVY those "problems" Omega has. They are world no.3... I dont think their sunglasses line and the Moonswatch is doing them a favour, but they are still universally known and liked everywhere.
Tesla is the worlds largest Electric vehicle producer at the moment. But: They've still got problems that need fixing (cybertruck, falling sales). Being big doesn't mean everything you're doing is good. 😃😃
Omega Globemaster Constellation 39 is 13mm thick. If that watch shaved a mil or two off the diameter and reduced its thickness to 10mm, they'd sell a bucket load. Omegas are just too chunky.
I strongly belive that watches have to tried in the “metal”. After watching your video I went to an AD to try this world timer. Impressive watch and once on the wrist is very harmonious I would say it looked very well on my 17 cm wrist. I was positively impressed, from the window it looked exactly as you said, too chunky ! Once on the wrist it was perfect.
We like what we like. I've tried them all several times and I really want to like them but I do feel they are too big (and I don't have small wrists). The summer blue version one feels smaller to me because of the colourway. 😃😃
“Pioneering without purpose” . The World Timer is gorgeous, but it would more likely be found displayed strapless on my desk like my pocket watch than be worn on my wrist.
Now that we have the results of the Morgan Stanley report we actually saw Tudor dropping in the watch sales rankings…. And Omega getting a bit better….
True - Omega fundamentally lost ground though. 5% growth when Rolex, Cartier and the others grow with 12% - and in a year where they should be leveraging growth from the swatch collab. I honestly think they aren't happy enough with the result 😃😃
I believe Ti is a great material choice for larger watches. Ti watches are 10-20% lighter than SS. Therefore making a larger watch feel smaller, on the wrist (by weight), than a comparable SS version. This could go a long way in making the watch feel less chunky. For this worldtimer the largess of the diameter aides with the legibility of the time zone cities also corresponding on the rotating world medallion.
Totally agree on sizing when it comes to wt dials. There’s so much information to convey that you either have to go up in diameter or go all dial / no bezel. Personally I think this one, also because of the movement thickness etc makes the watch too big on the wrist but the dial itself is immaculate…. Thanks for contributing to the conversation. It really adds perspective 😀😀😀
Agree....omega has done itself damage with the moonswatch...they have associated themselves with a cheap and inferior product. Generally, I find their current pricing quite off putting...they have gone nuts with their retail price for the 38mm aqua terra....
@@N7Sound I meant the inferior quality of the moon swatch...when you thought omega you thought quality...but now I know they are willing to put their name on a plastic low quality watch....that changes things I think
Agree the watch is too big and thick…and with too many versions of the same timepiece. Seems like this kind of thing hasn’t changed in the last decade or more. At least there are no or fewer limited edition Speedmasters now. Love this watch design tho, if only a millimeter or two smaller and less thick. I wish reducing watch thickness were more a point of pride for watchmakers with as storied a history as Omega.
Nobody bought more Rolex watches. They just went straight to the vultures. I mean resellers. Where your warranty won't be honored and authenticity is questionable.
I love Omega. Being almost 50, Omega has from my early years been a grail brand. Give me the same watch with Omega and Rolex logo on a dial and I take Omega every day of the week. That said and to your point on overwhelming variety - how can that be that out of 1436 watches on Omega website I like no more than 15 references (5-6 models). If they can’t sell their products to a fanboy they obviously are doing something very wrong. Another thing - why every watch needs to have a date window with poor execution and obtrusive location? And when there is a no-date model it has to be a limited edition for ridiculous premium? Finally their pricing makes absolutely no sense. In what world 300M is to be cheaper than literally any AT? I still believe one day I will get the Omega I want and finish my collection.
Great points and good perspectives on your part. But like you said - They still have good watches and I have Omegas in my collection as well. It's just that they could be so much better 😃😃😃
Omega was my first luxury watch, almost 20 years ago! I also think they are not copping with the competition, but… hope to see something new when I’ll be at their factory next month❤
The blue (first) version of the Aqua Terra Worldtimer is still my favorite Omega watch! This would be my first Omega watch! However I'm a child of the 1970's growing up in Switzerland with only two watch brands that are talked about: Omega and Tissot (who were also collaborating)! That's probably why I don't care about Rolex or any other brand! The two only exceptions are Longines and A. Lange & Söhne (just brilliant watch making and pure art)! Swatch on the other hand was always (from the beginning) a fun watch (mostly quartz)! It was also for collectors! And in this way I really think this co-operation with Omega won't hurt neither Swatch nor Omega (same with Blancpain)! Those MoonSwatches will be more collected than worn! And the Blancpain x Swatch is a really fun watch with the system 51! I really don't know whether the way of only brand boutiques (like Cartier) is the right path to go. It's so much better for us clients to walk into a multi-brands store and being able to choose our favorite watch! I really don't know whether I will visit an A. Lange & Söhne boutique (when I heard a story that a collector who had already 42 Lange watches didn't get his wanted Odysseus model while buying an additional A. Lange model to secure his wanted piece)! In this case I'd rather travel to Glashütte visiting A. Lange & Söhne directly! 🤔
If you look at the Speedmaster range, this is a total mess, where everybody is lost and not one is the real thing. There was 3 references of Speedmaster that did go to the moon. None is actually produced and this is a total non-sense.
I regularly decide I want to buy a modern Omega but I never actually go ahead. None of them quite work for me, each for various reasons. None of their watches hit the nail.
Like so many of its watches, Omega’s catalogue is too big, too wide and too thick, and lacking in clear strategy and focus. Also, whilst other other brands ensure a launch product in available in ADs at launch (eg BB54), Omega launches take months or years to actually go on sale. This is not about copying the strategy or tactics of others, it’s about replacing a hot mess with an unique, simpler, clear, straightforward, easily understandable, focussed ranges so as to leverage its technology (co-axial, spirate, etc) to demonstrate self-evident superiority as a solid foundation for strategic brand positioning. It seems atm Omega is not sure what it wants to be.
Exactly. They don't have a clear strategy. And don't get me started on their "wait a year before it actually makes it to stores" approach. The AT shades just barely came out in stores... Frustrating🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️ Thanks for contributing btw 👍👍👍
Ever since Swatch Group controlled the brand, Omega has been an over marketed and commercially focused brand. That's because of two marketing spin doctors, the King of Spin, Mr JC Biver & his former boss, Nicolas Hayek, the Gordan Gecko of the Swiss watch industry. They revolutionized the dying Swiss industry, bought and merged big brands and reimagined them in a very commercial aspect. Longines was once a pioneering brand, then turned into a mass market entry level mall watch. Omega became the headline poster boy. This is what happens when business men entrepreneurs take hold of a company and try to turn it around. Unlike Rolex they can't just make incremental changes to the Oyster case. They have shareholders to appease. They need to sell innovation. I think we should brace ourselves for the next Swatch collaboration. Perhaps the Seamaster Swatch?
You make it sound like it was a takeover. The company was called SMH and just changed the name. Same Management, same main shareholders. Also, Mr. Hayek sen., for which I worked many years, had absolutely nothing in common with "Gordan Gecko" and was not driven by greed.
Personally I love vintage Omega designs. Look how awesome the evolution of the Speedmaster Moon wacth was. From the Moon wacth to the Speedmaster Mark 2,3 and 4.5. Then there were the beautiful Omega Seamaster big triangle. That was the most beautiful Seamaster ever created imop. The Flight Master and the Seamaster Soccer time chronograph. Just so many great designs but modern Omega just doesn't do anything for me. I do like the Omega Seamaster heritage but of course they ruin it with that heavy faux patina. The only interest I have from Omega is reissues and Blancpain needs a Fifty fathoms like the originals with a 40 or 41mm case size. The modern Blancpains are horrible with terrible date windows
Why do you have that Obama Russian doll? Are you a sodomite ?
It's a Russian nesting doll (which were likely never originally invented in russia but rather somewhere in china).
Inside it there is George Bush, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Ford and Nixon. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any that go further back, but I would love to have the full line of american presidents all the way back to the very first one. The american president, regardless of who it is, is the most powerful individual on the planet so I have some trinkets to symbolize that.
I recently bought an updated nesting doll that now has Biden and Trump as well and whoever wins the next election - I will buy that doll as well.
Cheers. 😃😃😃
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatchI'm impressed you even answered this awful person
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch- this is hilariously aweome, love it!
Ngl I kinda want a Putin version now.
WTF? A sodomite? What a utterly stupid and totally unintelligent comment on a watch review. Good Lord grow up man child. lol
Swatch is horribly mismanaging Blancpain and Breguet. As far as Omega goes too many choices is not better-throwing dozens of variants of the same watch against the wall and seeing which ones stick isn’t the answer. Another commenter mentioned a couple older Seamaster references (1165.024 and 2254.50) that would be killer if updated and made for sale again. Omega deserves some tough love 😎! Great video as always, best regards.
at least they are somewhat 'managing' blancpain and breguet, albeit 'mismanaged.' compare that to glashutte original which is not even 'managed', wandering around aimlessly towards uncharted territory (destined to irrelevance)
Good observation. My gut feeling tells me that Richemont and LVMH are doing a far better job in general on running their brands, where Swatch is still trying to figure out to do it.
Typical conglomerate problems where they haven't figured out how much the individual brands get to go it alone, where they have to find "synergies" (like shared movement technologies). Omega has likely been allowed to "go their own way" organisationally where the others have been forced into a mold more agressively and now when they numbers are off the mark (because of covid, olympics cancellation, bond delays etc), suddenly momma swatch says to Omega - You're going to help out Swatch with the moonwatch.
Getting carried away now - That would be more of a talk for a channel about organisational dysfunction...
Thanks for commenting as always 😀😀😀😀
Omega will bring it round again. These are valuable mistakes. Crazy though for a company with great minds.
Couldn’t agree more, Blancpain, Breguet, GO all would need some attention. This is horrible. GO has absolutely crazy capabilities, look at the PanoRetroGraph chrono that can run backwards, chime and fly back and whatnot….pits maybe even triple split chrono to shame and nobody knows about it……
This watch is vastly superior than anything most other brands can offer. If it had Patek on the dial people would lose their minds.
Omega will still be here in 100 years.
“In trouble” feels like an overstatement. Omega will still be here in 20 years. Kodak is in trouble. BlackBerry was in trouble. Omega may need to refocus, but that’s about it.
I don't think Omega are in crisis at all, they are making some great watches. I tried on the green ceramic world timer, it is gorgeous and definitely on my wishlist! I know the speed master is the go to Omega for many people and they make some great versions, grey side of the moon is a stunner, but also the planet ocean deep black range is amazing. I don't see other manufacturers producing such a wide range of great watches. I wouldn't look at the volume too much, turnover is vanity, profit is sanity.
Si no hay respuestas es porque tienes razón!
I love what omega has been doing.
This was an amazing watch and a very thoughtful analysis of Omega's current state of affairs. Being an Omega fanboy myself I'm just baffled by their recent releases. Lack of focus and being out of touch with the market, this sums it up perfectly. I wonder though, if they've ever shown focus in the past as a company. If you look at their catalogue, historically, it's always been all over the place. It almost feels as if different teams work on different products without really talking to each other or having a common underlying philosophy or set of principles that guides them. I wonder if this lack of unified intent is inherent to Omega and something we might need to simply accept. But, as you noted, this is clearly harming their business and the competition is coming for them. Tudor is clearly after them, and their knocking it out of the park with every release. If these two players continue on their current rajectories, I wouldn't be surprised if Tudor surpasses Omega in a couple of years, at least in terms of brand recognition and appeal. I truly hope that alarm bells will finally ring in Bienne and that Omega will work towards a more astute positioning, that will work on consolidating their offering and that more generally they will manage to align brand, positioning and product. BTW I really like your videos and the fact that you're not afraid to speak your mind and risking saying controversial things. Keep the good work!
Thanks - Really glad you appreciate my style. I try to share my opinions and hopefully people see them as that - I do my best not to state opinions as fact. I'm cool with people not agreeing as long as they feel that my approach delivers some sort of value to the conversation.
I agree with you on Tudor. They have a significantly more focused approach to building their brand and strengthening their market position (and their production it seems). They are definitely going to continue to go places.'
Thanks for contributing as well. See you back here again soon 😃😃😃😃
Not unless Tudor sorts out their QC issues and ups their build quality to Omegas level. I don't even think Tudor is in the top 10 selling watch brands.
A solid analysis, love Omega, but surely less is more. Like when you go to a fine restaurant, it’s better to see a few dishes that they absolutely nail and than a phone book thick menu of choices that are lacklustre….
These are MBA classes hidden in watch videos. Thanks for the Lessons. Best, From Canada
Glad you like them! Thanks 😀😀😀
Exactly right! And I'm an MBA professor at a top tier business school.
@@kwill1911So you teach Time Management? Ha!
Big Omega fan and they don’t have the wanker baggage associated with Rolex but I honestly think I could run Omega better myself. Constant mistakes and ridiculous price hikes combined with awful releases recently are mind boggling. The Speedmaster release was their only half decent release in recent year’s although the adjustable clasp should have been fitted from day one. The Seamaster needs a massive overhaul and it better be good. Heavy unrefined terrible bezel action and too thick and too shiny to name a few problems. The Aqua Terra shades release was a disaster. The date window looks better now but what a mess. No micro adjustment again too. Just do a Aqua Terra with a normal clasp and with micro adjustment. As it stands the Moon watch is Omega’s only watch I would touch and that’s a design from the 60’s. Omega better have a very sorted Seamaster in the pipeline or they are in trouble.
Speaking the truth!
I love omega but like you, I just don’t feel they have their S&@t together.
A shame really 😀
God forbid that Omega makes a wide variety of watches that adhere to their heritage and design language. Why not just make 1 watch dial and case, and then give it 4 different names: submariner, explorer, yachtmaster, and a gmt. Now thats what I call creative variety.
Couldn't have said it myself! Never thought about it in those terms, but you're spot on....
Exactly: Like I said in the video - Rolex is all the oyster case in different variations 😃
The blue Omega Worldtimer is the best watch you can buy anywhere for under $10K, it's a fantastic watch.
You make some great points. I do however see titanium / ceramic being beneficial for watches worn with rubber / nylon straps. I find they are much less “top heavy” and wear far more comfortably. The weight of a stainless cased watch is much less noticeable when worn with a metal bracelet… Just my 2c.
Thanks for sharing - Fair point about the weight and balance issue 😃😃
Dei discorsi commerciali mi interessa poco, giudicare un 43 mm un grasso orologio da parete è da squilibrato.
Questo orologio è il più bello ed interessante che vedo in una fascia umana costruito negli ultimi 40 anni.
Da appassionato di orologi non comprerei un Rolex ad 1/3 del suo prezzo, invece farei faville per questo Omega aquaterra world time
We all like what we like 😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Let's say I would like to be the wall to hang this clock on
Apart from and since the Speedmaster watches which were REAL USEABLE TIMEPIECES in the real world, they seemed to have survived on a succession of FILM PROPS. Yes these themed FILM PROPS have excellent internals and functionality....BUT.....what have they produced in volume that appeals to watch collectors ? Let's go larger, let's go much more expensive, let's go after pre proven styles from other sellers. . Omega need to find an identity of their own. watch officionado's know that they are higher quality internally than the big R but without a true identity this means nothing to those outside the market. Mass appeal will not be realised until a true self identity away from film props has been established.
Excellent point about identity. I believe you’re totally on point. Omegas needs to ask themselves who they are and what they want to be more than just what they think customers want.
Great point 👍👍👍
Why cant they do a new 2254.50 and a 165.024. I would run to the AD. And stop making all the watches so thick. We want slimmer.
Me too! Those two models would even compete with the Submariner. Who’s bright idea was it to put skeleton hands and a 10 o’clock wart on a dive watch
Knowing Omega they probably will at some point. Variety, variety, variety. But then it'll be limited edition, wierdly priced and they'll only get the production up and running a year after they announce it....
🤦♂️ 😂😂
This is why Tudor is eating their lunch. Tudor has no quarterly earnings result to publish - they can listen to collectors and respond. Swatch group pressures Omega for quick bucks, instead of addressing fundamental issues. Thick movements, slow hand sweep, confusing catalogue, poor bracelets (unlike t fit), and far too many special editions.
Don't get me started on Swatch group - I've got a video coming saturday about the whole Blancpain Swatch (not the watch itself - but more the direction Swatch group is taking things).... Hope you stop by to watch it 😃
Omega is 2nd behind Rolex in total market share in the watch world. Omega is ahead of all other watch brands except Rolex. So I think Omega is doing just fine.
Small correction - According to the Morgan Stanley watch report they dropped to third behind Rolex and Cartier about 3 years ago. Cartier and Rolex have since then consistently outperformed Omega in terms of volume. Something that I also explicitly speak to in the video 😀
Apart from that inaccuracy, well maybe - I totally buy that I may be wrong. Just sharing my perspective
Cheers 😀😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Ok they dropped to 3rd…I think that’s…pretty great for a watch brand. That wouldn’t indicate a “problem” within Omega.
They need a 38-39mm Seamaster 300m just like the BB58
Yes - and not anything limited edition. Regular, available model 😃
The variety overload is distracting…. They need to slim their ranges significantly and create a less scattergun identity… a bit of product conviction please Omega rather than 20 shades of everything
What brand do you run?
@@dandahl5964 lmao
Perpetuals also have lots of wild colours, hardly anyone complains 😂
And if I were the CEO of Swatch, I would absolutely fire the Omega CEO right now without a second thought, whatever his name is. The guy clearly enjoys cozying up to A-list Hollywood actors and splurging them with lucrative endorsement deals rather than competing seriously against the Crown.
They definitely need a strategy revamp and it's a fair question to ask if the current CEO is capable of that... 😀
When omega couldn't release a simple 3 handed aqua terra with a new bracelet I lost all respect for the brand. 13 months later I am never buying the watch.
Fair point. They even changed it between announcing it and releasing it in stores...😀
i got a seamaster and i love this watch for me its better than a sub but it's just my opinion
RN i hesitate between the speedmaster moonphase and the worldtimer but didnt find the titanium in black ... that the prob what do you think ?
Tough choice. Never buy without having tried of course. I think both are too large but personally if I had to pick the moonphase is just a cooler complication IMO... but like I said, they're both too big for me 😀
Two thoughts: would a variant with the southern hemisphere make sense? Also the branding is a mess - this being a Seamaster makes no sense.
Good question - maybe as a niche offering, but from a pure market perspective, most people (especially them with money) are to be found in the northern hemisphere.
As a South African I could be enticed to consider a world timer that was southern hemisphere 😃😃
Rolex, and AP are more focused and concerned on advertising on how many celebrities wear Rolex at basketball games, Golf, Tennis, and F1. That makes them cool and desired. Omega is advertising to scientists in the Mariana Trench. Thats the issue Omega has because if Omega advertised on F1, Golf, Tennis, and if celebrities would wear Omegas at basketball games and flash their sea masters etc...Omega could just sale date just watches for decades at 12k without modifying anything.
I gotta wonder where all these Cartier watches are being sold? I just don't see them on wrists in Europe.
Big time in asia. And tons for women 😀
The word timer with the blue dial is absolutely gorgeous,would definitely buy one if I could afford it .
The blue is my favorite for sure of the bunch although the titanium model has something as well. ... 😀
I think you are 100% correct, omega lacks focus. Too many models no one wants. And, they have a killer back catalog of potential they can’t make room for.
Their situation kind of reminds me of IWC. Love Omega, but too many models. I really like this Worldtimer, but yes, needs focus. The most telling point is @9:30 - too many similar signs on that signpost. Great video as always; you need more subscribers!!
Good point about IWC. They were also lost for a while.
Spread the word my man. Spread the word. 😀😀😀 I'm enjoying myself making this videos for sure 😀
They really have to step it up like Tudor. I would love to see a moonwatch with 10bar! This would sell like crazy!
A little bump up on the water resistance wouldn't hurt. That's for sure... 😊
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch
A bump in water resistance and make it automatic instead of manual would be lovely! Tudor is winning me over more right now.
@@Bestow3000 Water resistance yes, automatic, I’m good with the manual wind.
@@driller7714
At least 100 WR, 200 WR is super competitive.
Then give us an option for automatic or manual.
@@Bestow3000 100wr would be good. Yes, an auto option would be good as well, as long as it didn’t make it too thick. I personally like the manual wind for watch interaction and also viewing the movement with the display case back.
According to the Omega website the Speedmaster is ok for swimming but mine will never see water haha.
I got carpal tunnel scrolling their ever-confusing set of options. It is sensory overload.
Lol. Doesn't help that they don't delete models, that they don't produce anymore... 😂😂
Yes, I thought it looked 'off' the moment I first saw it. Great explanation as to why.
Once you see it, you can't unsee it... 😀
Very interesting insights. However, personally, I will not wear a watch under 40mm. I especially do not like 38mm and I am surprised that you consider >42mm to be "oversized".
Fair enough! 😎😀
My dad was an Omega fan back in the 70th. I was very proud to receive one of his seamaster when I graduated.
With the James Bond connection and 300m dominance in the 90th and 2000 the fame an position of Omega grow to an all time high.
Been part of Swatch group damaged the brand heavily. To sacrifice the iconic moon watch to boost swatch was the nail in the coffin.
Some friends are selling thei Omegas out and jump into this RX madness overhyped movement.
So I fully agree with your brilliant analysis and I’m also hoping that the strategic head at Omega are listening to turn this around. Thank you for this one.
Humble thanks for the feedback. Appreciated 😀
Sorry to state it that bluntly but what you write is just nonsense. Omega would have gone out of business a long time ago had the Swatch Group not bought them. They saved Omega, not ruin them.
The MoonSwatch also didn't harm the Moonwatch. It brought more attention to it, not replace it. And how could it have done it? It is obvious that it is a fun watch, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. I don't know anybody who wanted a Speedy but then went to the Swatch instead.
I also do not agree that this was a "brilliant analysis". I heard nothing new in this video. Omega also had a large variety years and decades ago and that didn't stop them from being successful. And when it comes to "pioneering" there is of course no obvious demand. Pioneering means to explore unknown territory and therefore per se bears the risk of failure. But it also bears the chance to discover something unknown yet.
@@Harry-tb8yo I couldn't agree more as an owner of both a Moonwatch (aquired several years ago - I love it!) and a MoonSwatch I purchased recently. I got the latter just for fun (most likely, I will never wear it). Obviously, there's no comparison, and this was never the point. I think it was a brilliant marketing move to make OMEGA a household name. It goes without saying that the vast majority of MoonSwatch owners will never care to buy the real thing, but I bet that some will. Time will tell.
Regardless, it'd be coll to see a father wearing his Moonwatch and the son sporting a MoonSwatch (Mission to the Moon or Mercury), "comparing" them and talking about them and how one day the son will inherit the real thing or buy his own with the 1st fat paycheck.
I recently got an Omega Globemaster sedna gold and steel / blue dial as a 20 year anniversary present from the company I work for. It wasn't "free", it cost me 20 years of my life...
Seriously, though, it's a thing of beauty, even if it took a little bit of time to grow on me. It's my first watch of any note as well. I think (sadly for my bank account), I may have caught the watch collecting disease.
I'm not sure I'll be buying Omega though, as there are other designs I like more.
"Unless you plan on swallowing your watch...". Instant subscription. 😆
He he. Lucky punch on my part. 😂
Thanks a ton for the sub! 😀😀😀
One nit pick. Equating swiss quartz = entire quartz market is misleading. 95% of all watches produced are still quartz. And smart watches can be included as part of the digital watch market. It's mechanical watches that are losing share and dying long term. Go walk about and check wrists. I almost never see a mechanical watch now. I'm now more likely to see the apple watch.
The Morgan Stanley report said 90 million smart watches sold, which is multiples of the entire swiss watch production. That's the real take away. That's the future.
It’s not a nit pick on your part actually. I speak of the swiss market for quartz watches as if it’s all there is. Citizen, Seiko, casio would all likely beg to disagree. 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Inadvertant eurocentrism all the way on my part 🤦♂️
The trend / conclusion though is the same as you so correctly point out. Digital / smartwatches are where it’s at and it’s primarily quartz and the lower end of mechanicals that is feeling the brunt of that development…
Thanks for adding that level of nuance. Really appreciated 😀🤜
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch I didn't mean to criticize, only add to the conversation. I really enjoy your videos.
Didn’t take it as a criticism at all.
In 15 minutes of video with editing demands etc, though some nuance can be lost and I really do appreciated it getting added back in, in the comments.
Glad you enjoy my vids
😀
Omega can produce watches in smaller sizes. Speedmaster 321, FOIS, CK2998 (blue, black version), Seamaster - Railmaster - Speedmaster Trilogy 1957, Aqua Terra 38mm.
Omega still decides to make most of their watches in unwearable sizes (diameter, thickness). The smaller versions must not sell that great. I don't understand it either. My average 7 inch wrist does not fit these huge Omegas.
Blancpain does same thing. Every couple Blancpain produces a limited 40mm Fifthy Fathoms, which sells out immediately. Their 45mm FF is always available. Someone must recognize the smaller versions sells out, but decides to ignore it.
Good point with Blancpain. I've digged the fifty fathoms for the longest time, but there's no way I'm spending that much cash on the 45 mil version and I'm not high enough up on any AD waitlist to get one those few 40s. It's annoying.
This is why Tudor is killing it for better or worse right now. Good design (if potentially a little bland), but in. the. right. sizes....
Thanks for sharing 😀
Watches are too too big... Watch sizes must not exceed 40mm...
I have multiple Omegas - my last one a 1963 beauty. I don't care about new releases or their sales numbers. That green one is a bit freakish, our planet is blue.
Good point. They have so many cool watches in their historical back-catalogue 😀👍
omega = samsung and rolex = apple and it shows
Not a far off analogy. Cheers 😀
As an international man of mystery, I would disagree that a world timer is not a tool watch and therefore should not be made with titanium 😂
indubitably 😀
I agree the swatch association is a mistake, but Omega's not in trouble, you're wrong about that.
I owner of several Omega. One of which is the world timer . The watch is big for a purpose …. It is readable, and I enjoy its versatility. For the amount choice I must agree with you. It took me 20 visit to the Omega boutique before pulling the trigger on the world timer.
I only recently discovered your channel and, after subbing and binging a few of your videos, this one really hit the nail on the head for me. I absolutely adore Omega and feel so frustrated that one of the brands with more History and carisma has fallen behind and in a Swatch Group limbo as a spearhead for imaginary windmills depriving it of its core identity and fighting someone else’s battles. Should and could stand alone in it’s marketing and development strategy. Well done for putting this so clearly, hope the Swatch group head honchos are listening.
Thanks a ton. Glad you found it worthwhile to watch 😀😀😀
There is always the speedmaster pro. Most other models are just r&d that doesn’t go off. Best thing to happen to Omega is the Swstch Omega Moonwstch. It establishes their legend to the new generation. Pushing the original moon watch should be easy.
Fair interpretation. The moonswatch may very well open watches up to a new generation of buyers. I'm personally not convinced but for sure - time will tell.
It's like the Mercedes A-class (not the first boxy one, but the new sleeker design). It had two jobs.
1. Make Mercedes look less like an old dudes car
2. Make a mercedes "affordable" to young up and coming professionals.
Maybe the moonswatch will do that...
Thanks for contributing 😀😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Maybe not a strong correlation but Omega Speedmaster Pro sales went up by 30-40% during the SeatchOmega craze last year. Cheers.
Omega has lost there way
I do believe they have too... 😀
I think their larger size +43mm are just too Gen X.S. for the niche collectors these days. I can get away with a the historic Moon watch 42mm and Seamaster 41mm. All the others Speedmaster, Seamaster, and Aqua Terra models just feels like it was made for a professional athlete with big guns and their bigger wallets.
My point exactly.... .😃
I agree with you that Omega has far too many variations of basically the same watch design but I will disagree with you when it comes to the Worldtimer in Steel with the blue rubber strap. I currently have 4 Omegas in my collection from a 1957 Seamaster to a P.O. With the 2500 calibre movement to a Aqua Terra with the snowflake dial to finally the above mentioned blue Worldtimer, all the watches, with the exception of the 1957 version, get good wrist time but I lean more towards the Worldtimer as I love the features but more importantly the focus to detail in excellent. I hope Omega slims down the number of variations within the ranges but I do hope they never loose their creativity.
Astute analysis. I like to say "would you prefer if they didn't make it?" and you must command them for trying to open up another sub-genre but the oversize factor is undeniable. I own the green on rubber, basically because I happened to be there when the AD got it and liked it enough to buy it, but I can't really say it was an aspirational watch. I did like the blue though so the new colour was probably the push over the cliff. But long term, am I ready to travel with it and beat it up, I'm not sure. And when you're not sure, you know you got a problem...
Thanks. And excellent point - When you're not sure you've got a problem 😀
I feel like I’ve seen this video a million times by a million people. It boils down to the old “Omega should be more like Rolex”. It sounds like a good idea to me, but I figure Omega and Swatch Group probably know a lot more than you and I.
Its not an Omega problem. its a Swatch problem. I think Swatch has too many brands and cant focus on where those brands need to be positioned. They want Omega to be the flagship but it can lead to exactly what you said in the video. Too much variety trying to please everyone. Citizen has a similar problem. As much as i love all the Swatch brands they need to dump some. Focus on the core Hamilton, tissot, longines, omega, and then ONE haut horology brand. My pick is Blancpain. I think this world time could fit right into thier catalog. Make the fifty fathoms great again.
Omega should hire you to review their strategy. great analysis !
After me handing my money over to them for so many years, yes, they should start sending some money the other way.... 😂😂😂
Great review. I own this in Blue/Rubber, and it looks and feels significantly better than a steel bracelet and is very comfortable. This watch has two major design flaws: First, the inner dial showing world time is so tiny that it is impossible to read under low light conditions or if you need reading glasses. The watch has enough space to make this bigger and would have made a significant difference. It looks like form took precedence over function. Also, the color choice for the world time numbers is a joke; someone decided to make the numbers in a light color against light blue background and make it as small as possible. That person deserves to be fired :) Second, the crown is not sized appropriately..it looks like a pimple on a thick case. Also, working the crown is a REAL pain. I hate using the crown. Compared to other brands I own, winding this crown is something I do not look forward to.
While I agree with some of your points. You’ve clearly purposefully missed a lot of valid points and misrepresented points.
Did Rolex sell a huge amount. Yes.
Did the vast majority of those watches end up on the grey market. Yes. Now that Rolex prices are dropping daily and the availability of watches in store is abundant will Rolex see growth like it has over covid again. No.
You think the Moonswatch has hurt Omega. A completely uneducated take, it’s brought their moonwatch sales up massively, it’s gotten a completely new generation of people through the doors of Omega boutiques.
Rolex will always be Rolex, but to act like Omega is in anyway subpar is laughable.
If anything, they’re keeping a customer base of watch enthusiasts who simply refuse to play the Rolex game.
In the time I waited for a datejust I bought a sapphire sandwich moonwatch and a Seamaster Seaweed.
I got the datejust after a long time, guess what.
My next watch is going to be an Aqua Terra. I’m not going to play the Rolex game because my watches are to be worn and not for the ever diminishing grey market.
The main problem with Omega is twofold. Firstly, they make watches that punch way above their price point. Take the Speedy pro. With it's vast history and well executed design there's no way it should be sold for less than a Cartier Santos. However, folks have become so accustomed to the tech and design at a steal of a price that they refuse to pay more even though the brand is constantly evolving with a grail product (speedy). Secondly, in order for the company to bring in new customers at the rate of Rolex they would have to create a product that is more Rolex like. Whenever I see reviews about what could change to make the Seamaster sell better it all sounds like submariner pt2. Tapering bracelet, slimmer case, same design bezel..... Change the hands 😮. While gaining new fans they lose the old ones. Case in point, aside from the bezel action the NTTD Seamaster is a perfect watch IMO. However, people complain about the price when in reality it's priced the same as a no date sub at retail (only few can get at retail). 11k grey market sub vs 7k NTTD....I know which one I'm buying.
It's strange, every time I go to Omega boutique I can't find anything worth spending money on. It's either too mass-market like Bond watch and Speedmaster or looks strange. I have a big wrist and even though they have 42-43 mm case diameter it wears often smaller than 41 or even some 40mm watches cause the lugs are tiny.
Maybe I would buy green and gold Moonphase and 34mm aqua terra for my wife. These are great timepieces.
Omega have to be more afordable,they try too much to copy rolex prices,like if the high price was giving credibility to a brand...
The Aquaterra is a grail watch for me and it has surpassed the VfM red line and resides comfortably in the opportunity basket.
I watched with bated breath to see if the stats turned me off the value proposition, and they had the opposite effect.
So, I wonder - is Omega adopting Rolex's IDGAF business model and capitalising on the hype as a way to gauge lineup optimisation, OR are they simply drunk with iteration for the sake of iteration?
Having too many models and variants also sends their customers the message that they're subservient, trying too hard to please and pander to every taste. Whereas, being able to focus on fewer choices, and make them excellent, is to project a stance of leadership and confidence; Buy an Omega because they're a thought leader. In that respect, Omega is letting us down, and their actions are really starting to resemble Swatch Watches, or traditional music publishers for that matter: Throw everything at the wall, hoping that the few really successful ones will make up for the ones that don't succeed. And like the Swatch Watch boutique, Omega and their ADs can only provide enough shelf space for a limited selection, often not what you wanted.
I'm inclined to agree. "giving people what they want" can come across as a little "try hard" and having through the whole looking at limited editions that you can't have is just frustrating.
Thanks for taking the time to contribute 😀😀😀
My gut reaction is that if Omega is in danger of anything, it's not being Rolex or Cartier, the go-to luxury watch brands for men and women, respectively. I recall a review of a recent reference SMP where the reviewer said that the watch would be perfect if only Omega made a few design tweaks, and then unironically listed changes that would turn that SMP into a Submariner. Not much Omega can do about that, other than lean towards smaller watches and recapture that portion of the market not being served. As for the Swatch collaboration, it introduced a lot of young people who otherwise could not afford a luxury watch, to Omega, by creating a FOMO event. Only time will tell if that pays dividends for Omega down the road.
Mike- very eloquently put! Despite the contentious subject, I found myself nodding along in agreement for 15 consecutive minutes.
It is nice to not see so many “Limited Edition” Omegas these days, but it still feels like some rebel team in their product dept manages to churn them out annually when the higher ups are out at lunch.
I love that you acknowledged and praised some of the consistent design motifs in this release. This is not intuitive to Omega’s design team - they’ve been learning it slowly for decades.
If you haven’t covered it yet, I would be interested to hear more of your thoughts on Omega’s naming conventions. The Seamaster 300 vs Seamaster 300m vs Seamaster Planet Ocean vs. Seamaster Master Chronometer Small Seconds - what is a Seamaster? Why is this so confusing? (The 300 vs 300m is especially agonizing to me). It would be like Rolex calling every watch with a dive bezel a Submariner instead of birthing the Yacht-Master, the Sea-Dweller, etc.
Very impressed with the way you tackle difficult subjects in the videos of yours I’ve watched so far. Your breadth of knowledge in so many subjects, from product design to business, is truly impressive.
Thanks. I love Omega, have a speedmaster and have had other models. For me loving a brand and also finding fault / finding places where they should improve are not incompatible to me.
Glad you enjoy my vids 😃😃😃
If we look for direct read dial world timer - not doing any conversion in mind, and can swim with it - very few option left, this one, vercheron overseas workd timer. Parek / Nomos need stay dry.
Was ready to purchase a Moonwatch for my birthday after a month of research and visiting dealers. Then heard last week that they're increasing prices - again. So I'm moving onto a different watch to add to my collection. Moonwatch was £5k not too long ago, now it's going to be c. 8k from 1st March. It's not worth that.
For me the perfect world timer is the JLC Master Geographic ...One near the top of my wish list. i do Love the Ti version of this Omega but it's just too large for me as I have tried on the steel version. Alas.
JLC the best 😊
Good call. JLC I think, does some really good complications and the master is a perfect example of that. 😀
This is the best case study on a watch brand I’ve ever seen. Thank you 🙏
Wow, thank you! 😀😀
I own the blue dial on blue strap, by far The best one in my opinion besides the white dial gold option. The new color-way additions do not make sense to me. That ceramic bezel that matches the strap doesn’t look right. Also the blue & white dial has a better, more realistic depiction of the world map.
I tend to agree with you. Although I like the green dial (as stated in the video), the ceramic does nothing good for the watch. 😀👍
Thoughts on Omegas price increases lately? A Omega Seamaster 300 cost 56000 NOK 3 years ago, and know its 68000 NOK and the AD said another 8-10 % increase in june/july. I dont see Omegas retail being a good deal as it was.
They used to be more reasonably priced. For a long time they seem to have been chasing Rolex and now they're at a price where it isn't always a given that it's a good deal. Then again, all the producers have been raising prices consistently. I think a lot of producers have overextended themselves to levels that aren't sustainable. (not that they'll ever lower them though)😃
I don’t know why they chose Grade 2 over Grade 5 but can’t imagine it is due to the price difference of the metal. The cost of the metal has very little to do with the overall cost of the watch.
Does anyone really think the metal in the gold version costs $20k more than the steel? I don’t think so.
The metal itself is about 60% more expensive in grade 5. But you’re right, it’s not the material itself, that’s the problem.
The key is that in manufacturing the watch there’s a higher wastage rate plus higher tooling costs on g5 (due to tools both needing to be harder themselves but also due to tool damage/ wear and tear) - you should expect that to retain the same margin on a g5 model, you have to add up of 10% to the msrp (especially if you’re going for lots of detailing, polish etc)
That’s another 1000 usd (give or take) on a worldtimer….
Completely agree titanium shouldn’t be used in a worldtimer for the same reasons gold shouldn’t be used in a dive watch 😂
The A Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Timezone is not a world timer. It is a very sophisticated dual-time watch.
Omega is certainly in some sort of crisis. Their endless choice of models, very very poorly chosen B grade ambassadors, the whole brand just seems confused. Gone the days, when greats like Schumacher, Popov, Thorpe, Hingis, Phelps, and other icons were endorsing their products. I have to say though my 2016 non spectre version of seamaster master co-axial, on the black-grey nato is an absolute beauty. Propably the last proper watch omega has produced.
Interesting point. They are one of the brands that are pretty steadfast in having professional brand ambassadors and I keep wondering if the time for that approach has past. IMO Ed Sheeran choosing AP on his own accord is far more powerful than Eddie Redmayne being paid a bucketload to do a commercial....
Thanks for contributing 👍😃
Too many SKUs, not enough availability on last year's releases, blowing all their budget on weird Hollywood celebrities advertising instead of putting it into R&D to reduce the case sizes and follow market trends. You are right, Omega is losing their way, I don't understand why they skip Watches and Wonders. Do they really believe they are above the biggest watch show of the year? And what have they even released this year outside of the super racing speedmaster and those worldtimer models? Very disappointing showing from Omega, I am quickly losing my interest on a Speedmaster 57 I wanted to purchase at the beginning of 2023 that is still not available at my local AD. And apparently they are planning for another price increase in July??? The 2022 releases will go through two price increases while being out of sight from AD windows. Omega has lost the plot lately and need to get their act together because watch collectors won't have the same patience for this brand than for the Rolex, AP and Patek of this world.
We're in complete alignment. AT Shades? Launched a year ago. Only just made it into stores.
Covid lockdown, Olympics cancellations and what not have really rattled them for sure...
thanks for contributing your thoughts. It's really appreciated. 😀😀
Just got recommended your channel and very glad the YT algo is for once doing its job! I thinks yours is an interesting and not inaccurate take. Omega's SKU cosmos is so odd, but it stems from a simple fact that not many know: discontinued SKUs are kept in the catalogue while they remain in stock either at Omega ('add to basket' from Omega direct) or at some ADs ('contact boutique'). Omega apparently do not buy back stock and immediately delete SKUs once they are replaced (as Rolex does). This even extends to LEs commemorating eg Olympics which can hang around for years. All SWATCH brands do the same thing. I assume this is to support ADs who hold discontinued inventory, but who obviously don't want to look as if they hold old stock (as Richemont do).
I'm happy YT helped you find me and glad some of my thoughts resonated with you.
The whole Omega online experience is a wierd one. I mean - fair enough, you still have a couple of Tokyo 2020 aqua terras in stock and why not try and sell them, but honestly it comes across as a mess. Sell them in the stores, not online. At some point you just have to take the L and accept that it's not going to sell anymore. 😃
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Indeed! Tokyo 2020 is quite recent - I'm sure I saw a last gen Seamaster Commander and maybe even a Rio 2016 LE the last time I looked! One reason I think Omega is reducing its LE output - dates a range quickly. But does little to help with the old Conis, POs and precious metal Seamaster 300s jamming the pages!
Such great points here. You know, there is a book, Predictably Irrational, that talks about human behavior. In one example the book talks about a study in which a supermarket sometimes chose to offer a bunch of jam on discount. Then on some other days, they offered three choices, all on the same discount. On the days that only three choices were offered, they sold more jam. Because, you see, humans don't really like making choices as much as you might think. It is possible to bewilder a consumer with too much choice, which is certainly an issue with Omega.
It is amazing to me, for example, that many of their very high end watches in precious metals, don't even have the 'master' variant of the movement in it. Or in this example, it IS a niche product, and certainly doesn't need that many varieties. In one review, the reviewer noted that on this model, the date has a very lazy slide from one date to the next, instead of a more satisfying 'snap' around midnight.
For years Omega have been touting the co-axial, yet in reality it tends to have a lower power reserve and a lower beat rate (thus looking less smooth on the sweep). And just recently they introduced a new Speedmaster that has a new type of silicon spring in it, because one of the flaws of their current silicon spring is that it is harder to adjust and regulate, than say the way Rolex do it.
I too like Omega, and have owned many. But there is WAY too much choice. Far too many of their watches are too big, both in diameter, and more importantly in height. They have failed to keep up with bracelet and clasp innovation. Going back to this world timer, it's pretty clear from the look of the rubber strap what kind of taper they think looks good, yet they can't pull it off with the metal version.
They really do need to focus. Trim the fat both in terms of the size of the catalogue, and in terms of the average thickness of their watch.
Again, not trying to hate here, they are a great company. But if the numbers shown in this video are accurate, they are being left behind by competitors, despite having ridiculous resources at their disposal.
I would much rather see them get serious with their core lines, really make them the absolute best they can be. And stop spinning their wheels with such a ridiculous number of iterations of every single watch.
We're on the same page. I love omega but I just think they can be a bit better, a bit more focused and ultimately sacrificing a little variety for a few better watches is a trade off I'm willing to make (and they'll make more money on the bottom line).
Cheers and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Really appreciated 😀😀😀
Hello - Well you asked for contradiction so may I say that while I see many comments here applauding you for being spot on, in contrast it seems to me that this video would have criticized the Wright Brothers the same way… whose innovation and thought leadership led to a giant industry and the eventual creation of titanium.
I would like to say I think that worldtimer is a proper spud, especially in green.........this is an interesting angle on Omega.
Fair call. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 😁👍👍
Go and grab $200 from your wallet and get a G Shock. World timer sorted.
Great Commentary. All good points. I have the 2222.80. I would not trade it for all the money in the world. (Almost) Omega can do better. Some other comments say Omega really need to work on getting their cases smaller and thinner, I agree. I think the Pandemic gave people too much time to "Think". (Marketing) In addition delays in production/manufacturing creating a rush to push out product. (MoonSwatch). So I'm going to lean towards that Omega will redirect their line in the next couple of years. Oh and then there's a new Bond(?)
Thanks. Glad you found it relevant.
I don't think Omega are going out of business or anything but just like Zenith was nowhere a couple of years ago, I just feel Omega are a bit in the doldrums as it were. They must have the skills and the people to turn it around and who wouldn't want a new bond watch? 😀😀😀
My blue squa terra caliber 9605 is an Omega feat of engineering. ❤
Terrific analysis again. Omega and Seiko both suffer from offering too many models and options. As for Omega, I tried on the blue and steel WT and really, really, wanted to love it. But alas, it was just too chunky for my 6.75 in wrist. If Omega could do the watch in the Moonwatch case, I would be all over it.
Totally with you on the moonwatch 😃
"Problems" - you say ? Well, I suspect, IWC, Breitling, Chopard, Longines, Zenith and Tag Heuer would totally ENVY those "problems" Omega has. They are world no.3... I dont think their sunglasses line and the Moonswatch is doing them a favour, but they are still universally known and liked everywhere.
Tesla is the worlds largest Electric vehicle producer at the moment. But: They've still got problems that need fixing (cybertruck, falling sales). Being big doesn't mean everything you're doing is good. 😃😃
Omega Globemaster Constellation 39 is 13mm thick. If that watch shaved a mil or two off the diameter and reduced its thickness to 10mm, they'd sell a bucket load. Omegas are just too chunky.
Many are for sure 😀
I despise titanium as a watch case material. I want to feel the weight of the watch. The Javier the better.
I think their worldtimer is a stunning watch.
All the rest is just meh.
I strongly belive that watches have to tried in the “metal”. After watching your video I went to an AD to try this world timer. Impressive watch and once on the wrist is very harmonious I would say it looked very well on my 17 cm wrist. I was positively impressed, from the window it looked exactly as you said, too chunky ! Once on the wrist it was perfect.
We like what we like. I've tried them all several times and I really want to like them but I do feel they are too big (and I don't have small wrists). The summer blue version one feels smaller to me because of the colourway. 😃😃
“Pioneering without purpose” . The World Timer is gorgeous, but it would more likely be found displayed strapless on my desk like my pocket watch than be worn on my wrist.
May very well be a very cool pocket watch 😀😀😀
Now that we have the results of the Morgan Stanley report we actually saw Tudor dropping in the watch sales rankings…. And Omega getting a bit better….
True - Omega fundamentally lost ground though. 5% growth when Rolex, Cartier and the others grow with 12% - and in a year where they should be leveraging growth from the swatch collab. I honestly think they aren't happy enough with the result 😃😃
I believe Ti is a great material choice for larger watches. Ti watches are 10-20% lighter than SS. Therefore making a larger watch feel smaller, on the wrist (by weight), than a comparable SS version. This could go a long way in making the watch feel less chunky. For this worldtimer the largess of the diameter aides with the legibility of the time zone cities also corresponding on the rotating world medallion.
Totally agree on sizing when it comes to wt dials. There’s so much information to convey that you either have to go up in diameter or go all dial / no bezel.
Personally I think this one, also because of the movement thickness etc makes the watch too big on the wrist but the dial itself is immaculate….
Thanks for contributing to the conversation. It really adds perspective
😀😀😀
Agree....omega has done itself damage with the moonswatch...they have associated themselves with a cheap and inferior product. Generally, I find their current pricing quite off putting...they have gone nuts with their retail price for the 38mm aqua terra....
Yup! 400 dollars more for a smaller watch with an inferior movement. Totally agree 😀😀😀
Associated? Omega materials are better than Breitling and Rolex together. The only reason people hate them is because you can't flip and resell them.
@@N7Sound I meant the inferior quality of the moon swatch...when you thought omega you thought quality...but now I know they are willing to put their name on a plastic low quality watch....that changes things I think
Agree the watch is too big and thick…and with too many versions of the same timepiece. Seems like this kind of thing hasn’t changed in the last decade or more. At least there are no or fewer limited edition Speedmasters now. Love this watch design tho, if only a millimeter or two smaller and less thick. I wish reducing watch thickness were more a point of pride for watchmakers with as storied a history as Omega.
It would do soooo much for their watches 😀
Nobody bought more Rolex watches.
They just went straight to the vultures.
I mean resellers. Where your warranty won't be honored and authenticity is questionable.
Donmt quite agree on the “nobody bought more” but yes - we’ve had a lot of speculators in recent years 😀😀
I love Omega. Being almost 50, Omega has from my early years been a grail brand. Give me the same watch with Omega and Rolex logo on a dial and I take Omega every day of the week. That said and to your point on overwhelming variety - how can that be that out of 1436 watches on Omega website I like no more than 15 references (5-6 models). If they can’t sell their products to a fanboy they obviously are doing something very wrong.
Another thing - why every watch needs to have a date window with poor execution and obtrusive location? And when there is a no-date model it has to be a limited edition for ridiculous premium?
Finally their pricing makes absolutely no sense. In what world 300M is to be cheaper than literally any AT?
I still believe one day I will get the Omega I want and finish my collection.
Great points and good perspectives on your part. But like you said - They still have good watches and I have Omegas in my collection as well. It's just that they could be so much better 😃😃😃
Omega was my first luxury watch, almost 20 years ago! I also think they are not copping with the competition, but… hope to see something new when I’ll be at their factory next month❤
Lucky you. I wish I get that opportunity somebody for sure 😊❤️
The blue (first) version of the Aqua Terra Worldtimer is still my favorite Omega watch!
This would be my first Omega watch! However I'm a child of the 1970's growing up in Switzerland with only two watch brands that are talked about: Omega and Tissot (who were also collaborating)! That's probably why I don't care about Rolex or any other brand! The two only exceptions are Longines and A. Lange & Söhne (just brilliant watch making and pure art)!
Swatch on the other hand was always (from the beginning) a fun watch (mostly quartz)! It was also for collectors! And in this way I really think this co-operation with Omega won't hurt neither Swatch nor Omega (same with Blancpain)! Those MoonSwatches will be more collected than worn! And the Blancpain x Swatch is a really fun watch with the system 51!
I really don't know whether the way of only brand boutiques (like Cartier) is the right path to go. It's so much better for us clients to walk into a multi-brands store and being able to choose our favorite watch! I really don't know whether I will visit an A. Lange & Söhne boutique (when I heard a story that a collector who had already 42 Lange watches didn't get his wanted Odysseus model while buying an additional A. Lange model to secure his wanted piece)! In this case I'd rather travel to Glashütte visiting A. Lange & Söhne directly! 🤔
If you look at the Speedmaster range, this is a total mess, where everybody is lost and not one is the real thing.
There was 3 references of Speedmaster that did go to the moon. None is actually produced and this is a total non-sense.
Bingo 😊😊
I regularly decide I want to buy a modern Omega but I never actually go ahead. None of them quite work for me, each for various reasons. None of their watches hit the nail.
I can find a couple I like a lot but their catalogue is a bit hit and miss sometimes, I agree 😀😀😀
i will buy one if this was 40mm with 45-46mm lug-to-lug
Like so many of its watches, Omega’s catalogue is too big, too wide and too thick, and lacking in clear strategy and focus. Also, whilst other other brands ensure a launch product in available in ADs at launch (eg BB54), Omega launches take months or years to actually go on sale.
This is not about copying the strategy or tactics of others, it’s about replacing a hot mess with an unique, simpler, clear, straightforward, easily understandable, focussed ranges so as to leverage its technology (co-axial, spirate, etc) to demonstrate self-evident superiority as a solid foundation for strategic brand positioning. It seems atm Omega is not sure what it wants to be.
Exactly. They don't have a clear strategy.
And don't get me started on their "wait a year before it actually makes it to stores" approach. The AT shades just barely came out in stores... Frustrating🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Thanks for contributing btw 👍👍👍
Ever since Swatch Group controlled the brand, Omega has been an over marketed and commercially focused brand. That's because of two marketing spin doctors, the King of Spin, Mr JC Biver & his former boss, Nicolas Hayek, the Gordan Gecko of the Swiss watch industry. They revolutionized the dying Swiss industry, bought and merged big brands and reimagined them in a very commercial aspect. Longines was once a pioneering brand, then turned into a mass market entry level mall watch. Omega became the headline poster boy. This is what happens when business men entrepreneurs take hold of a company and try to turn it around. Unlike Rolex they can't just make incremental changes to the Oyster case. They have shareholders to appease. They need to sell innovation. I think we should brace ourselves for the next Swatch collaboration. Perhaps the Seamaster Swatch?
Rolex have four A,D s in my local mall too.
You make it sound like it was a takeover. The company was called SMH and just changed the name. Same Management, same main shareholders. Also, Mr. Hayek sen., for which I worked many years, had absolutely nothing in common with "Gordan Gecko" and was not driven by greed.
@@CarlosGambino_22 That's too many. They should shut down 3.
I agree that the addition of the colored bezel ruins the look, but I have no issue with the _chubbiness_ of the earlier models.
Fair enough - To each their own as always 😊
Great discussion. But i feel like many of you said can also apply to Patek, yet nobody criticizes them.
Patek has their problems too… Maybe worth a video 🤔
Personally I love vintage Omega designs. Look how awesome the evolution of the Speedmaster Moon wacth was. From the Moon wacth to the Speedmaster Mark 2,3 and 4.5. Then there were the beautiful Omega Seamaster big triangle. That was the most beautiful Seamaster ever created imop. The Flight Master and the Seamaster Soccer time chronograph. Just so many great designs but modern Omega just doesn't do anything for me. I do like the Omega Seamaster heritage but of course they ruin it with that heavy faux patina. The only interest I have from Omega is reissues and Blancpain needs a Fifty fathoms like the originals with a 40 or 41mm case size. The modern Blancpains are horrible with terrible date windows
Adrian Barker (barkandjack) said in a video - "Their strategy seems to be throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks..."
😀😀😀
@@Mike.thiswatchthatwatch Lol that's pretty accurate
I like it 🤷♂️ i just preferred the seamaster and got that instead. Maybe I would buy this one day
Seamaster 300m all the way for me 😀