A visit to a manufacture allows one to complete one's knowledge of a brand and its watches, while also discovering new things. This is what six members of L'Orologio Club experienced at Omega in October.
In addition to the knowledge of watches that many may already have, being able to see where they take shape and discover all that lies behind can give a more complete perception of what a trade mark really is. In the case of Omega the discovery comes with a visit to the new-generation production plant, built next to the historic building where the House has resided since 1882, to which it is connected by a glass bridge.
From the concepts of tradition and innovation one can understand the path that led to the development of one of the first models launched by Omega in 2024The new version of the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 is an update in terms of aesthetics and mechanics of the 2018 model. The House updated the movementthe modern manual calibre 3869 with Co-Axial escapement and Master Chronometer certificate, which replaced the previous calibre 1869 based on the classic 1861.
But he added some original details, such as the small seconds hand inspired by Nasa's famous 'Saturn V' rocket. Its 3D structure is obtained by a laser-cut lathe, while the colours are obtained by white lacquering, ablation and laser blackening.
The importance of wrist testing
During the presentation of the current collection, members were able to experience the 2024 novelties for themselves.
Lo Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon was among the watches featured in the wrist test by members of the L’Orologio Club. As did another of the models that caused the most talk in 2024: the Moonwatch in steel with a white lacquered dial, a real novelty for a watch traditionally associated with a black dial.
One of the highlights of the visit to Omega was the VIP Watchmaker Course, an activity usually reserved only for VIP clients and the brand's sales staff, which consists of a lesson in the disassembly and assembly of a movement, right up to its casing. Watchmaker and trainer Mariano Samudio led our members in the feat of dismantling and reassembling an entire movementup to the laying of the dial and hands, encasing, screwing the case back and fitting the strap.
The Biel manufactory is a perfect example of a state-of-the-art facility, conceived and designed with the aim of maximum efficiency and rationalisation of production processes. In the centre of the building, a highly efficient and impressive automated warehouse for storagewhich occupies up to three floors of the plant, is an additional and very useful tool for streamlining the workflow.
No less interesting was the visit to the Museum, where not only are exhibited many of the most important specimens in Omega's history and recount all the inventions of the House, but immersive experiences are also offered designed to tell the key themes of its history and to transport visitors into a world beyond watches: from Olympic timekeeping, to cinema and James Bond, to the history of space exploration. For more information and to subscribe to L'Orologio Club, click here link.
