Is Rolex THAT much better than Omega?

[belutak]

Originally Posted by Lesnerelli23

I’m just curious what people here think, design language aside. And I know this gets discussed in other threads but I wanted to start one concise thread about it.

I feel like, usually, resale value dictates how a product is perceived in quality. Most “men’s” Rolex can fetch 100% MSRP or better in used condition. Some may fall to like 80% but even that is WAY better than any other product I can think of.

Omega on the other hand drops around 50% or more. And, one can even find discount on brand new pieces.

The Bond seamasters are just as recognizable to collectors as Rolex models. The Speedmaster has a very high regard. And there are many more Omega pieces with history and prevalence in the community.

So my overall question is, what’s up with that? Isn’t the quality comparable? ETC…

I have a 40mm Speedy Racing and I had a Planet Ocean. Both extremely accurate and had, maybe, better finishing than the Rolexes I have. Very impressive.

What do you all think? Is it just a marketing thing? Is Rolex better for quality and longevity?


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No it is not that much better, if at all.
But we live in the world dominated by perception, face values and hype so there you go…


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[Krash]

Originally Posted by jibby23

100% agree on this, that Cartier bracelet could sell w/o a watch

The only problem with the Cartier bracelet is the watch that’s attached to it.


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[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Phil8352

My suspicion is that the Omega defenders all have a lot of Omega watches. I think many have a lot of Omega watches for a couple of reasons:

1) They acquire the less expensive, easier to get watches along their journey to acquiring their first Rolex.

-OR-

2) They acquire a Rolex and the watch collecting bug bites them and they begin building out a “collection” (read: accumulation) of Omegas, etc that are fine watches but probably not purchased with the intent of keeping forever and handing down to a future generation. They’re essentially filler in the watch box.

Sorry, not sorry.

Wow, sounds pretty snobbish...

[daysky1]

Originally Posted by OG1982

Omega make great watches and arguably better movements than Rolex. Despite having this opinion, I still prefer Rolex and always will.

There is something special about a Rolex that Omega just doesn't have.

I have learned to look for the Omega Master chronometer movement which I believe is on par or better than the Rolex superlative chronometer movement as far as keeping time however durability I think the Rolex movement far exceeds the Omega movement

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by thatswhatshesaid

Listen, I own Rolex Omega breitling and panerai. I'm a fan of all.

The post is very accurate because people get mugged for their Rolex for a reason and that reason is money.

Thiefs don't care about a Omega that retails for $5,000 that they can sell for $2,000. They care about a $10,000 Rolex that they can sell for $15,000.

This is why you don't see any threads about guys that went to Vegas, met a girl in a casino and woke up in their room missing their breitling or Omega.

"My Rolex is much more likely to get me mugged than your Omega!"

Perfect

Originally Posted by Phil8352

My suspicion is that the Omega defenders all have a lot of Omega watches. I think many have a lot of Omega watches for a couple of reasons:

1) They acquire the less expensive, easier to get watches along their journey to acquiring their first Rolex.

-OR-

2) They acquire a Rolex and the watch collecting bug bites them and they begin building out a “collection” (read: accumulation) of Omegas, etc that are fine watches but probably not purchased with the intent of keeping forever and handing down to a future generation. They’re essentially filler in the watch box.

Sorry, not sorry.

Your suspicion is incorrect. Before adding an Omega, I owned a 6694, 214270, and a 116610LN. In fact, I ended up selling the 116610 and replacing it with a 2254.50 because I believe it looks better and suits me more.

[Speedbird-1]

Omega depreciation, is much, much, 'better'!

. maybe.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Rolex is a much better marketing machine, and perceived to be the higher quality brand.

Although I don’t disagree with some of the brand dilution comments, Omega make some pretty high horology pieces that Rolex can only dream of

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-o...52250455203001

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-o...52953432201001

This is exactly it.

Omega has watches slightly below Rolex's tier, watches at the same tier, and some watches well beyond anything Rolex does.

I think people get a bit too caught up on comparing the cheapest models in the Seamaster line to a Submariner.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Scholar

This is exactly it.

Omega has watches slightly below Rolex's tier, watches at the same tier, and some watches well beyond anything Rolex does.

I think people get a bit too caught up on comparing the cheapest models in the Seamaster line to a Submariner.

If only I had 3/4 of a million dollars


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[jmgorman]

I think it's also worth noting Omega's watches for women are far more attractive than anything Rolex carries. My wife was utterly bored by watches until one day in the Boutique a steel and gold Constellation with diamonds on an aventurine dial absolutely took her breath away.

I got it for her (it's her daily ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) and now she's the one eager to pop into stores and see what they have and pushed me to get my CHNR.

[Manamana]

Originally Posted by wm82

They really don't have better movements. It's all spruced up ETAs and they only finish the parts that are visible when assembled. Everything you don't see is raw untreated surfaces, thin stamped out wheels etc. The setting mech is all stamped out sheet metal like 2824 and 2892. It's an ETA design after all.

They do run well and the coaxial is quite fun to work on. But they are far behind Rolex and the market knows this, and values the watches thereafter.

https://www.aurifo.com/uk/a/the-15-m...l%20escapement.

Omega is owned by Swatch Group which owns ETA too, but Omega make their own movements.

https://www.aurifo.com/uk/a/the-15-m...l%20escapement.

https://watchbase.com/

https://calibercorner.com/

[jibby23]

Originally Posted by Krash

The only problem with the Cartier bracelet is the watch that’s attached to it.


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hehe, i agree with this statement as well

[wm82]

Originally Posted by Manamana

https://www.aurifo.com/uk/a/the-15-m...l%20escapement.

Omega is owned by Swatch Group which owns ETA too, but Omega make their own movements.

https://www.aurifo.com/uk/a/the-15-m...l%20escapement.

https://watchbase.com/

https://calibercorner.com/

No. ETA is the movement maker for all of Swatch Group essentially. Except for the high end brands Breguet etc.

ETA makes the Omega movements for Omega. There is a lot of tell tale signs of this for those of us who work on the movements daily.
Thanks for playing :)

[Manamana]

Originally Posted by wm82

No. ETA is the movement maker for all of Swatch Group essentially. Except for the high end brands Breguet etc.

ETA makes the Omega movements for Omega. There is a lot of tell tale signs of this for those of us who work on the movements daily.
Thanks for playing :)

So you are saying ETA was making Speedmaster 321 movement, and other Speedmaster movements before Omega was bought by Swatch Group and ETA being bought by Swatch Group Also how about giving us an idea about who builds Rolex movements. Isn't it a company bought by Rolex in 2004, like ETA was bought by Swatch group.

[thatswhatshesaid]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

"My Rolex is much more likely to get me mugged than your Omega!"

Perfect

Yes, it is an indisputable fact and makes me very careful about where and when I wear a Rolex.
When in doubt, I strap on another brand.

[majidessa]

The biggest problem of Omega is Swatch. Swatch is an industrial Conglomerate, and Omega is a key source of revenue stream. The Swatch Group is beyond efficent and to boost their revenue stream they have been milking Omega without much care about brand image and status, few examples:

- Outsourcing some of the watch parts outside Switzerland to other countries (China, Thailand), like bracelets and clasps. This practice for a luxury brand such as Omega is a big let down.

- The huge catalog with endless colors and varaitions, special releases ...etc. I just can't keep with their releases and models not to mention their poor attempt to copy paste Rolex hot releases such as OP with Aqua Terra shades, Hulk with green 300 diver, John Mayor Daytona with full gold moonwatch with green dial just to name a few.

- MoonSwatch lineup, the collaboration was fun at first. However, with endless new releases, it became tiresome. The Omega logo is now too common for $250.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Omega had solid links and end links years before Rolex finally did. That was 100% due to laziness on Rolex's part.

When was it? What year did Omega produce SEL and full links ?

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Both these brands are evenly matched so it’s all about what unique set of ideas do you want. There is no “better” as it is a sliding scale on what your priorities are. You would be wise to own many brands such as these in your collection. If cost is your main concern you certainly get more waych for your money with Omega.

Both of these brands you could buy only one watch and it could easily be your one and only and last a lifetime.

Yep. I prefer Rolex. But the concept is that’s why we have Ford and Chevy in the US. Not everyone wants the same thing.


Just another WIS who loves to trade.
@bladeandwatch1 on IG

[Alex_TA]

Originally Posted by majidessa

- Outsourcing some of the watch parts outside Switzerland to other countries (China, Thailand), like bracelets and clasps. This practice for a luxury brand such as Omega is a big let down.

.

Absolute BS which was told so many times that it presented as a fact.

Nobody got a clasp made is China from OB or AD. Some guys bought fake clasp etc from other guys and began to cry.

[majidessa]

Originally Posted by Alex_TA

Absolute BS which was told so many times that it presented as a fact.

Nobody got a clasp made is China from OB or AD. Some guys bought fake clasp etc from other guys and began to cry.

Well no, few years ago I got a half link for my Omega PO Chrono from the Omega Boutique and the plastic bag that housed the links had made in Thialand printed on it along with the bar code and Omega Logo.

Also there are long threads in other watch forums about this issue, so it is up to you to believe or not.

[911991]

Originally Posted by thatswhatshesaid

That's a pretty strong 8 word argument.

Yep, I bet a lot thought went into that statement, Rolex must be better cuz people get mugged for them

[Kingcobb]

I loved my omegas. They were ridiculously accurate compared to what I had owned previously. I would in fact still own them except, after getting my daytona, they felt like i was wearing a satellite dish on my wrist. They are too dang thick. If they figure out how to get them down to the thickness of a sub or daytona ill happily buy another, but the current thickness is excessive and a problem for me.

[Scholar]

Originally Posted by Kingcobb

I loved my omegas. They were ridiculously accurate compared to what I had owned previously. I would in fact still own them except, after getting my daytona, they felt like i was wearing a satellite dish on my wrist. They are too dang thick. If they figure out how to get them down to the thickness of a sub or daytona ill happily buy another, but the current thickness is excessive and a problem for me.

The strange thing is it's a self-inflicted wound. The movement itself isn't that thick; it's making display backs for highly water resistant watches that causes the problem. When the Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial came out in 2014, it was praised for being back to the thickness of the original Planet Ocean, which was an extremely wearable watch… but the 300 is Sub tier; it shouldn't be as thick as a SD tier watch! (Of course, the display back PO is even thicker.)

The 2500 Planet Ocean might be the best diver introduced by either company in the 21st century.

[Hollie_Rollie]

Not sure which is “better”. The NTTD Seamaster is a great piece and so unique. I don’t think Rolex has anything close to it


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[Krash]

Like I said above, I’m a huge Omega fan. It’s my second favorite brand. I have a Seamaster Diver 300m and a Speedmaster moon watch. I love both. But there isn’t a lot of depth after that.

For example, the Constellation and Globemaster are not exactly the most attractive watches. I’d never pay for either. I’d never wear either.

The Aqua Terra is often cited as the ultimate GADA watch. But the problem with that watch is that it’s neither a good dress watch, nor is it a good sport watch. It’s mediocre in both categories. Plus, the bracelet is not very good. The rubber strap is okay, but I just don’t see the point of getting that watch on a rubber strap.

By contrast, Rolex has a plethora of popular models to choose from:
-Submariner
-GMT
-Daytona
-DayDate
-Datejust
-Yachtmaster
-Explorer
-1908
-Oyster Perpetual
-Sky Dweller

On top of all that, I personally think Omega’s movements are over-rated.

But Omega is still my second favorite brand. I just think people are kidding themselves if they think Omega is as good as Rolex.


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[Tahitianmoon23]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Yes Rolex is much better in my views as they nailed the thinness of a mass produced watch and managed to stick to classic design languages as opposed to Omega who have a zillion iterations of their watches.

“Sir, may I interest you in this LIMITED EDITION?” 😂🤮

[alphadweller]

Originally Posted by Scholar

The 2500 Planet Ocean might be the best diver introduced by either company in the 21st century.

Bold statement, but I like it!

2200.50.00 on OEM rubber

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by majidessa

Well no, few years ago I got a half link for my Omega PO Chrono from the Omega Boutique and the plastic bag that housed the links had made in Thialand printed on it along with the bar code and Omega Logo.

Also there are long threads in other watch forums about this issue, so it is up to you to believe or not.

It's very feasible that the plastic bag was made in Thailand no?

[usmc_k9_vet]

I like both for different reasons. I think they are very comparable when it comes to quality, price aside. Omega has some great classics and variety with excellent modern movements. Rolex is, well, Rolex. They’ve got a bunch of classics to choose from in different configurations. I will own a Day Date someday and look forward to that immensely.

Interestingly, I own a modern Sub and to me it lies much flatter than my Seamaster Diver 300. I mean this as a negative to the Sub. It sits like a flat board across my wrist and does not conform at all whereas the Seamaster wraps around a bit and conforms better to my wrist.

To each their own. They’re both great. Pick the one that suits you best or own multiple from both brands if you’re fortunate enough to do so.


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[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by usmc_k9_vet

I like both for different reasons. I think they are very comparable when it comes to quality, price aside. Omega has some great classics and variety with excellent modern movements. Rolex is, well, Rolex. They’ve got a bunch of classics to choose from in different configurations. I will own a Day Date someday and look forward to that immensely.

Interestingly, I own a modern Sub and to me it lies much flatter than my Seamaster Diver 300. I mean this as a negative to the Sub. It sits like a flat board across my wrist and does not conform at all whereas the Seamaster wraps around a bit and conforms better to my wrist.

To each their own. They’re both great. Pick the one that suits you best or own multiple from both brands if you’re fortunate enough to do so.


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I agree completely about the fit. I really loved the curve and shorter lugs of my PO I had compared to the flatter sub.


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[inadeje]

I find that until very recently OMEGA has been let down by its bracelets. Also, IMHO omega has wrecked any semblance of brand exclusivity by releasing too many iterations of the same watch. Over the past few decades it seems like every week there’s 10 versions of arguably the most recognized Omega watch, the speedmaster.