Omega Class of 2021
“Recently, time has never been so important.” So says Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of Omega, before the unveiling of the Swiss watch brand’s novelties for 2021. “We’ve all learned to cherish and appreciate the hours we have and really make each one count. That’s why the values of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship really matter. More and more, people are embracing the idea of well-made products that not only feel meaningful but also have a genuine human touch.”
Omega continues to tell its story of heritage through the lens of modern innovation and pioneering technology. “Our watchmakers are truly pushing the standards of excellence,” Aeschlimann communicated. “Even during this challenging year, time keeps marching on.”
From the Omega headquarters in Biel, Switzerland, Jean-Claude Monachon, VP of product development, and Greg Kissling, head of product management (along with a brief appearance by friend of the brand George Clooney), introduced new variations of the Seamaster 300, Seamaster Diver 300M Black Black, De Ville Trésor Power Reserve, Constellation Small Seconds, Seamaster Aqua Terra, and the new Speedmaster Moonwatch Velcro Straps.
Seamaster 300
The Seamaster 300 was first created by Omega in 1957 and launched as its first-ever professional diver’s watch, notable for its black dial, luminous indexes, and large hands, which made it simple to use and easy to read in various conditions. This collection follows in the spirit of the original, but the case, the dial, the movement, and most details are new. There are two steel editions—blue dial on steel bracelet and black dial on leather strap—but the standout is the Bronze Gold edition.
Omega has developed a new alloy of bronze and gold that is resistant to surface corrosion and can be worn in direct contact with the body. “Bronze Gold was developed to produce a pleasing aesthetic and hue while also offering a bronze alloy that could be worn with direct contact on the skin, thanks to its distinctive composition,” Kissling stated. The patent-pending bronze alloy is made of 50 per cent copper and 37.5 per cent gold (aids in corrosion resistance), while the remaining metals are silver, gallium, and palladium.
Each of the 41mm timepieces houses the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8912 visible under a sapphire crystal case back, and there are updated design details on the dials with particular design cues for each.
Bronze Gold alloy that will never lose its shine.
Seamaster 300M Black Black
Black continues to be the new black in this Black Black model where every single element of the timepiece is, yes, black. This new Diver 300M Black Black at 43.5mm is housed in a high-resistant ZrO2 ceramic case and fitted with a screw-down crown and helium relief valve at 10 o’clock. The blacked-out bezel is anti-fingerprint technology, and “this watch is easy to read even in the dark,” Kissling noted. The contrasting shades are obtained by playing with different finishes—four in total—to boost legibility. This monochromatic black-attire timepiece houses the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806.
De Ville Trésor Power Reserve
The De Ville Trésor is the concentration of simplicity, refinement, and watchmaking tradition. Two new editions in the De Ville collection: an 18-karat yellow gold model with white dial on a grey leather strap and a burgundy dial in the proprietary 18-karat Sedna gold with a matching burgundy leather strap. In both cases, the updated design adds subdials and a small seconds display at 6 o’clock, while some models also feature a power reserve display at 12 o’clock.
Constellation Small Seconds
The Constellation is Omega’s enduring symbol of the ladies’ timepiece. The Constellation was born in 1952, but the look we know today, with the distinguishing claws and half-moon facets, first arrived in 1982. Forty years on, many features of the original are still relevant. The new details for 2021 are the 34mm case and striking new dials in peacock blue on stainless steel bracelet, caramel on an 18-karat Sedna gold and stainless steel bracelet, mother-of-pearl on a pink leather strap, and burgundy on a Sedna gold bracelet or leather strap. Another new addition: diamonds for the small-seconds subdial markers and, for some models, the subdial encased in larger diamonds.
Seamaster Aqua Terra
Like the new Constellation models, the Seamaster Aqua Terra comes in the new 34mm size. The marquee feature is the dials, with 11 marquise-cut diamonds or rubies for the hour markers. The gems accent the new wave-embossed dials in either cotton-candy pink for the rubies or a champagne hue for the diamonds.
Speedmaster Moonwatch Velcro Straps
Omega is honouring its legacy of space exploration with a range of Velcro straps. The story of perhaps the most famous watch in history, certainly the most famous Omega watch, needs no explanation. The astronaut Speedmaster references and how it became the Moonwatch are documented here. A Velcro bracelet was a suitable solution to wear over the bulky sleeve of a spacesuit, and the three versions Omega introduces this year come in black, silver, or white. Each colour takes inspiration from elements of the NASA space programs.
