Omega vs Rolex? Which of the two watch brands would you go for and why? Rolex and Omega are among the top watch brands in the world. They also hold the coveted title of “Swiss watches” which to many is synonymous with quality, luxury and great craftsmanship.
Both brands have great features such as rich history, unique designs, and great craftsmanship. The watches are also made from high-quality materials.
So, if you are planning to add a timepiece to your watch collection, which of the two brands would you go for? Well, the simple answer to this question is that it all depends on your tastes and preferences.
With that in mind, let us compare some of the characteristics of the two watch brands that can help you refine your buying decision.
Table of Contents
History
A brief history of Rolex watches
The history of Rolex watches dates back to 1905 when a young entrepreneur by the name of Hans Wilsdorf founded a company in London that was distributing watches.
In 1908, Hans came up with the name “Rolex” which fitted into his preferences for a brand name that was “short, easy to say and remember in any language, and one that would look good on watch movements and dials.”
In 1919, Rolex relocated from London to Geneva and was registered in Geneva in 1920. This move was attributed to the high post-war taxes that were imposed on luxury imports and high export levies on gold and silver which impacted negatively Rolex.
A brief history of Omega watches
In 1848, a young watchmaker by the name of Louis Brandt opened a small workshop in a small Swiss village. The workshop then became a company that would later come to be known as Omega.
Brandt was keen on developing accurate watches and soon his reputation for making high-quality watches was anchored in Switzerland and later throughout Europe.
Brandt died in 1879 and the watch-making family business was taken over by his two sons; Louis Paul and Ceaser.
In 1880, the company now under a new name; Louis Brandt & Fils found a new home in the town of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. In 1894, the brothers changed the name of the company to Omega Watch Co.
The change came after attaining a great achievement in the watch movement that set new standards in watchmaking.
Brand popularity
When it comes to brand popularity, Rolex takes the lead. Even if you are not a watch enthusiast, you have probably heard about Rolex, the watch brand.
Rolex has such a strong brand that when luxury watches are a subject matter, Rolex will most definitely top the list. It is perceived to be prestigious and luxurious, qualities that continue to create an insatiable demand for its products all around the world.
Some of the most popular watches and milestones by Rolex include the Oyster which was developed in 1926 and was also the first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch. The watch was put to test in 1927 when a swimmer by the name of Mercedes Gleitze wore the watch while swimming across the English Channel.
In 1953, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer was launched as a celebration after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay summited Mt Everest equipped with Oyster Perpetual. The same year the Submariner which was the first divers’ watch was launched.
In 1956, in the quest to meet the demands of the scientific community the Oyster Perpetual Milgauss which could withstand magnetic fields was developed. In 1967, the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller which was waterproof to a depth of 610 was developed to meet the demands of professional deep sea divers.
Omega has also established itself as a worldwide brand and does not fall far off from Rolex. This can be attributed to innovations in watchmaking and milestones over the decades.
Some of these include being chosen as the first watchmaker to time Olympic Games in 1932 in Los Angeles. In the same year, Omega introduced the world’s first commercially available watches for divers which became an instant success.
In 1940, Omega became the commissioned supplier of watches to the British armed forces, an assignment which challenged them to fasten their watchmaking techniques in water resistance, shockproof and anti-magnetism.
In 1948, the Seamaster was developed. The Seamaster was made to withstand any attitude be it above the skies or below the oceans. Omega watches would later explore various frontiers including manned missions in space, the Russian space station, and the Antarctic.
In 1995, its popularity increased with the launch of James Bond films where the Omega’s Seamaster was part of the spy’s exquisite style. The Seamaster has been featured in James Bond films ever since.
Materials used in Omega and Rolex watches
When it comes to watchmaking, the selection of precious metals, alloys and precious natural stones is key. Some of the materials used by Rolex in watchmaking include Oystersteel which belongs to the 904L category of steel. It is known for its resistance to corrosion and exquisite shine when polished.
Rolex uses exclusive 18kt gold, an alloy with the right mixture of gold, silver and copper. The alloy produces different variations of gold including yellow, white and everose and pink gold alloy exclusive to Rolex.
Rolex also uses 950 platinum an alloy that contains platinum and ruthenium. This alloy is robust and suited for watch cases. Precious stones are also essential in watchmaking, Rolex uses gems, Cerachrome and meteorites.
Omega is also keen on the selection of materials used in watchmaking. Some of these materials include 18K white gold, an alloy of gold, palladium and copper and 18K yellow and red gold, alloys of gold, copper and silver.
Omega also uses 316L stainless steel which is known to be corrosion-resistant and appealing lustre after polishing. Other metals such as Aluminium and Titanium are also used by Omega.
Omega has also created exclusive alloys in its quest to enhance the design, new colours and improved durability of its watches. These alloys include; bronze-gold, sedna-gold, moonshine-gold and Canopus-gold. Precious materials used by Omega include diamonds, mother of pearl, meteorites and Sapphire crystals.
Price Differences
Generally speaking, Omega watches are less expensive compared to Rolex watches. The cheapest Rolex Oyster Perpetual goes for about $6,400. The most affordable Omega watch is de ville prestige, it goes for about $3,400.
When it comes to resale value, Rolex takes the win. In fact, Rolex triumphs on this not only against Omega but against any other watch brand.
If you take good care of your Rolex watch, it will most likely maintain in value or even appreciate thanks to the strong brand and reputation of Rolex watches. In other words, purchasing a Rolex watch is an investment in itself.
Warranty
Rolex issues a five-year international guarantee for all its watches purchased from its official jewellers.
For the guarantee to be valid, the watch must be purchased from an official Rolex jeweller, the guarantee card must be completed in full at the time of purchase and the guarantee card should be presented together with the watch to either the official Rolex jeweller or the official Rolex service centre.
The guarantee does not however cover the normal wear and tear, loss, theft, or damage that occurs due to misuse. In addition, substituting the accessories of the Rolex watches with those not manufactured by Rolex renders the guarantee invalid.
Omega also offers a five-year warranty on all new watches purchased as of 1 July 2018. The warranty covers materials and defects that were in existence at the time of purchase.
Similarities in Omega and Rolex watches
From the above, some notable similarities between Rolex and Omega watches are as follows:
- Both brands are recognized as reputable Swiss brands.
- Both brands were established more than a century ago.
- Both brands have a rich history in watchmaking and boast of a share of different innovations over the decades.
- Both brands issue a warranty of five years.
Final thoughts
There you have it, Omega vs Rolex comparison points to help you choose your preferred brand. Whichever brand you go for, be rest assured that you will get a timepiece that is top of the range,is unique in style and runs accurately. Actually, why not have a Rolex watch and an Omega watch in your collection?