Founder: Louis Brandt founded
the company at the age of 23 in 1848.
Country: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
History: The company started
out as a small assembly line and Louis’ sons took over the company and made it
a place of manufacturing rather than an assembly line. In 1892, the company
created the first minute-repeater watch that was also able to sound out the
hours/quarter hours and minutes. Interestingly enough, Omega created a watch
that was made for motorcycles. Omega became the timekeeper responsible for hot
air balloon racing in 1909. By 1932, Omega was given the honor to be the
official timekeeper for the Olympics. The first waterproof watches were launched
in 1937 and 6 years later some of the first automatic watches were launched
into distribution. In 1953 Omega presented the ultrasound cleaning system which
made manual cleaning no longer necessary. The Omega Speedmaster became the
first watch on the moon in 1969. The Speedmaster was also used in 1968 by Mr.
Plaisted when he found the exact location of the north pole. The first
wristwatch marine chronometer was launched in 1974. Twenty years later the
company created the first self-winding wristwatch with a tourbillon. The
company continues to prosper with a new line of women’s watches in 2010.
Ambassadors and honorary
owners: Eugene Cernan, Michael Phelps, Cindy Crawford, Daniel Craig, John F.
Kennedy, Buzz Aldrin, George Clooney, Stephen Colbert.
Timeline &
Accomplishments:
• 1848 Company was founded
• 1892 Company created the
first minute repeater
• 1909 Omega became responsible
for being the official timekeeper for hot air balloon racing
• 1932 The company became the
official Olympic timekeeper
• 1937 Omega launched its first
waterproof watches
• 1953 Omega presented the
ultrasound cleaning system
• 1969 Omega Speedmaster became
the first watch on the moon
• 1974 First wristwatch marine
chronometer was launched.