Were you looking to buy an Omega watch but got shocked after seeing its price tag and now wondering why they are so expensive?
The cheapest Omega watch that you can get your hands on will set you back by around $2000. And some of the watches from the brand even cost more than a whopping hundred thousand dollars. If you see watches with such price tags, it does not matter if you have heard of the brand before or not, one question will arise in your mind i.e. Why are Omega watches so expensive?
To put your wondering to rest, in this article, I will tell you about different factors that contribute to making the Omega watches so expensive.
So, without further ado let us look into it.
Quick Navigation
- Why Are Omega Watches So Expensive?
- Why Are Omega Speedmaster Watches So Expensive?
- Why Is Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Expensive?
- Why Are Omega Seamaster Watches So Expensive?
- Are Omega Watches Worth The Money?
- FAQs
Why Are Omega Watches So Expensive?
Let us look into the factors that contribute to making the Omega watches expensive one by one.
1) History And Heritage
We all know how a watch manufacturer’s history and heritage matter when it comes to the watch manufacturing industry. The more heritage that a brand holds the costlier its watches become. And Omega is no different, the major factor that contributes to the expensiveness of its watches is its rich heritage in the watch-making industry. It was founded by Louis Brandt in the year 1848, i.e. it has more than 170 years of experience and expertise in watchmaking. Would you not charge a premium if you had a similar heritage?
Omega is one of the few watch manufacturers in the world that has such a history and heritage and therefore the high price.
2) Excellent Craftsmanship
When you have lasted more than 170 years then it means that you are pretty good at it, so is the case with Omega when it comes to watch manufacturing. Omega manufactures its every watch with excellent craftsmanship and has been shocking the world with its innovations and technologies. It manufactures watches that are not only lightweight and high quality but are such that they do not put any strain on your wrist. From the sharp lines to edges to elegant-looking bracelets, everything is made in such a way that every bit screams of their fine craftsmanship and the watches are pleasing to the eye as well as to wear. Overall Omega watches look expensive and hence demand a premium.
3) Made In Switzerland
Yes, Omega is a Swiss brand and even if you do not know much about the watch industry you must be knowing that Swiss-made watches always command a premium price and are considered to be the best in the world. And if it is a Swiss watch manufacturing brand with more than 170 years of experience then you can very well imagine the price of the watches that the brand manufactures.
4) Advertising Cost
One of the factors that contribute to the high cost of the Omega watches is the advertising fees. Omega is a very well-known luxury brand in the world because it likes to advertise aggressively. It invests heavily in advertisements, celebrity endorsements, sponsoring events, placing the watches in the movies, and whatnot. That is why you see the likes of Daniel Craig and George Clooney wearing an Omega watch. Needless to say, all this advertising cost is often passed on to the customer.
5) Exclusivity
Wouldn’t you pay a premium for a thing if you know that there are a limited number of units available in the world? Yes, anyone would pay a premium if he can own the rarest things around the world. Similarly, Omega invests heavily in creating highly exclusive designs and often limits its volume production to a low number. And therefore the exclusivity of the Omega watches increases their value marginally because people know that rare watches can fetch a much higher price than their original price in the future.
6) NASA Connection
Yes, you read that right! Now let me ask you, how much would you pay to buy a watch from the same company that NASA astronauts wear to their space endeavors?
I am guessing a good amount! In 1969, Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch became the first watch in the world to be worn on the moon by NASA astronauts. Since then Omega has been the first choice of NASA and has been worn six times to the moon. And hence commands a higher price.
Why Are Omega Speedmaster Watches So Expensive?
Speedmaster series of Omega contains some of the costliest watches that the brand has to offer. In fact, the most costliest Speedmaster that was ever sold by the brand fetched $3.4mn in an auction.
So let us look at the factors that make the Speedmaster series so expensive.
1) Costly Watch Parts
Watches in this series are made up of the costliest watch parts. The case and bracelet of these watches are made from 316L stainless steel to aluminum to 18K Sedna Gold. These watches also feature Hesalite crystal to Sapphire crystal which is again some of the costliest crystals in the world. Some of the watches on this series also feature diamond-studded watch bezels and dials.
2) Precision And Accuracy
The watches in this series are also very high in precision and accuracy. These watches are tested and certified twice for their precision and accuracy. Firstly these watches are certified by COSC and then they are certified by METAS (Swiss Federal Institute Of Metrology). This makes them twice as precise and accurate as any certified chronometer watch. And to make them even more precise, Omega uses its proprietary anti-magnet materials for making the parts of the watch movements.
3) 5 Years Warranty
Speedmaster watches are tested for their precision and durability and are made up of some of the costliest materials around the world. This gives the brand the confidence to give a warranty of 5 years which is just amazing, but it also increases their price.
4) Feature-Rich
Watches in this series are also feature-rich including features like a date window, accurate chronograph, tachymeter, etc.
Why Is Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Expensive?
As discussed earlier, Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch was the first watch in the world that was worn on the moon and has been worn 6 times since then. Therefore its popularity only increased over time and today it is one of the famous Omega Speedmaster watch out there.
Like other Speedmaster watches, Monwatch Professional also features a host of features like tachymeter, chronograph, etc., They are made of costly watch parts and they are certified twice for their precision and accuracy. Combine these with the NASA connection and you get an expensive watch.
Why Are Omega Seamaster Watches So Expensive?
Like the Speedmaster series, the Omega Seamaster series is also high in price. Watches in this series are generally focused on people that like to do water sports like snorkeling, scuba-diving, diving, etc.
These watches are expensive because of the following reasons:
1) Feature Rich
These watches come with an extensive list of features for people into water sports that include:
- Good water-resistant rating, with some watches having a water-resistant rating of 1200M.
- Screw-down case and crown
- Rotating diver bezel
- Helium escape valve
- Transparent case back
- Luminous hands and markers
2) Expensive Watch Parts
Watches in this series are made up of expensive watch parts like titanium, 18K Sedna gold, sapphire crystal, etc.
3) Precision And Accuracy
Like the Speedmaster series, these watches also have dual chronometer certification and are one of the most precise and accurate watches in the world.
4) 5 Years Warranty
5 years of warranty speaks about the durability, precision, and trust of the company. It instills a sense of worthiness in the mind of customers and increases the overall price of the watch.
Are Omega Watches Worth The Money?
So now that we know why do Omega Watches cost so much, the next question that arises is ‘Are Omega Watches Worth The Money’? Do they justify the premium price tag?
The answer is Yes. Yes, they are worth every penny. If you take their heritage, exclusivity, build quality, craftsmanship, and the kind of warranty they provide into account then you will find them to be worthy. In fact, Omega watches are quite reasonable if you compare them with other luxury watch manufacturers with such a long heritage and craftsmanship.
Plus they are worn by the likes of James Bond and James Bond can’t be wrong! If you know what I mean!
FAQs
Is Buying An Omega Watch A Good Investment?
Yes, buying an Omega watch is a good investment and they offer you good value for your money.
Do Omega Watches Hold Value?
Yes, Omega watches hold their value. In fact, one of its watches was sold for more than $3mn in an auction.
Is Omega Considered A Luxury Watch Brand?
Yes, Omega is a Swiss-based luxury watch manufacturer.
How Long Do Omega Watches Last?
Omega watches have an excellent build quality and can last ages.