Omega :: Manufacturers :: Essence of Time, Inc.

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Essence of Time, Inc. :: Manufacturers :: Omega

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.