Are you ok with "Swiss made" watches having Chinese-made parts?

[Cru Jones]

Many thanks, Brian, for following up.

Cliff notes version: Omega outsources bracelets and clasps "from carefully selected external suppliers who meet [Omega's] high-quality standard" sourced "mainly from European countries".

Up to each person to decide whether that's ok for them. At least now there's some transparency regarding Omega.

Now about all those other "Swiss made" manufacturers.... Who wants to be the private investigator for VC or JLC, for example?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Many thanks, Brian, for following up.

Cliff notes version: Omega outsources bracelets and clasps "from carefully selected external suppliers who meet [Omega's] high-quality standard" sourced "mainly from European countries".

Up to each person to decide whether that's ok for them. At least now there's some transparency regarding Omega.

Now about all those other "Swiss made" manufacturers.... Who wants to be the private investigator for VC or JLC, for example?

You’re welcome my friend

“Transparency”

I’m not sure whether to thank you or use the “ignore” feature here for you from now on, for fear of what else might be uncovered

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by brandrea

You’re welcome my friend

“Transparency”

I’m not sure whether to thank you or use the “ignore” feature here for you from now on, for fear of what else might be uncovered

Well, technically, you are the one who wrote to Omegal! Maybe I should "ignore" you??

Luckily that beautiful 321 is on your wrist. Take a moment, admire the movement, and think about all this later.

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Well it took some doing but here is the official response from Omega regarding its bracelet and clasp manufacturing



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BOOM! Confirmed our suspicions all along. Note how they didn't say where those external suppliers are as significant production is done outside the EU. These producers aren't under the Swatch Group.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy your 321 any less, but the added transparency is beneficial to all.

Omega's website advertising is blatantly false with "every part of an Omega watch is made in Switzerland". Perhaps omar-rye will come out of his Omega 100% made in Switzerland bubble now.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

BOOM! Confirmed our suspicions all along. Note how they didn't say where those external suppliers are as significant production is done outside the EU. These producers aren't under the Swatch Group.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy your 321 any less, but the added transparency is beneficial to all.

Perhaps omar-rye will come out of his Omega 100% made in Switzerland bubble now.

I started a thread over in the Omega Forum. Hoping to get some constructive comments …. Errrr validation


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[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I started a thread over in the Omega Forum. Hoping to get some constructive comments …. Errrr validation


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I looked over there and couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

Great job, again. I'm half shocked they openly admitted in writing they don't produce them.

Edit: Nvm, I realized you posted in the Omega sub-forum here. I thought you meant the actual Omega Forums site.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

I looked over there and couldn't find it. Do you have a link?

Great job, again. I'm half shocked they openly admitted in writing they don't produce them.

Edit: Nvm, I realized you posted in the Omega sub-forum here. I thought you meant the actual Omega Forums site.

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[RW16610]

Thanks for looking into this and sharing that update, Brian!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RW16610

Thanks for looking into this and sharing that update, Brian!

[DoricSpiker]

I am a bit late to this one but I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment that a part being made elsewhere is not really a big deal, it has been going on for a long time, but reassurance should be given that the parts have been produced ethically and humanely.
I also agree that some of the text Omega have been using is misleading but that has been going on with lots of Swiss manufacturers for decades. These manufacturers therefore have no problem doing it, it has become legitimised in their eyes.

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

How so? I re-read their statement multiple times and couldn’t reach that conclusion. My only remaining question is whether the bracelets and clasps are included in the “watch” they described as “developed, produced, assembled, and tested in Switzerland” under the same standards.

Earth to omar-rye. Waiting for an attempted witty response in trying to defend Omega's 100% made in Switzerland claim after brandrea's email below.

Originally Posted by brandrea

Well it took some doing but here is the official response from Omega regarding its bracelet and clasp manufacturing




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[Alex_TA]

People are buying fake parts and draw conclusions. Others copy pasting it.


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[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

BOOM! Confirmed our suspicions all along. Note how they didn't say where those external suppliers are as significant production is done outside the EU. These producers aren't under the Swatch Group.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy your 321 any less, but the added transparency is beneficial to all.

Omega's website advertising is blatantly false with "every part of an Omega watch is made in Switzerland". Perhaps omar-rye will come out of his Omega 100% made in Switzerland bubble now.

What are you on? Aren’t you the genius who insinuated that most of Omega is made in China? When did I say 100% of Omega is made in Switzerland? The last thing I said in this thread was this: :



Thank you Brian for getting that part clarified

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

What are you on? Aren’t you the genius who insinuated that most of Omega is made in China? When did I say 100% of Omega is made in Switzerland? The last thing I said in this thread was this: :

Thank you Brian for getting that part clarified

Try re-reading my post again. I said Omega's claim of 100% made in Switzerland that you pulled from their website and were defending elsewhere in this thread.

Originally Posted by omar-rye

There’s only one “source” that posted a receipt showing a half link with China listed as the origin. I’d hardly consider that hard evidence, so let’s not go around presenting that as fact. I’ve looked at every photo users have posted, and each one lists a different country. Are we really expected to believe Omega has factories making bracelets and parts in China, Thailand, Germany, Italy, France, and so on? Why wouldn’t they just manufacture it all in Asia? I can’t imagine it’s cheaper to produce in Germany, Italy, or France than in Switzerland. Something doesn’t add up. But I’m still open to be convinced otherwise. I did email Omega yesterday for clarification, so we’ll see if they get back to me with a clear answer.

I personally bought a Speedmaster in person from Swatch Group at 555 Richmond in Toronto, and it didn’t have any country of origin listed on the packaging. I also have an Omega buckle I purchased a few years ago that didn’t have a country of origin on the packaging. Furthermore, Archer, a top notch and trustworthy Omega watchmaker I know and have worked with personally, pointed out that he has $50k worth of Omega parts, and none of them show the country of origin on the label. I trust him and Omega’s statement on their site more than some random posts on Watchuseek.

Lastly, I had a Datejust serviced at RSC in February 2023, and it’s since gone in for warranty repair for the same issue four or five times. I dropped it off last Thursday, and it’s currently with them for repair. I’d be happy to post documentation for transparency sake. I’m sure many others could share similar experiences with Rolex warranty repairs. Let’s not generalize Omega or its service work based on isolated cases like yours, and I won’t do the same for Rolex.

Thailand


Italy

Germany


France


Italy


France

Going by Omega's response and confirmation, yes, we are expected to believe so that they are made in elsewhere, including Asia.

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Actually, they still have the wording “Every part of an OMEGA watch is made in Switzerland, which goes far beyond the industry’s required standard” on their site.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

Try re-reading my post again. I said Omega's claim of 100% made in Switzerland that you pulled from their website and were defending elsewhere in this thread.

Lol nice try backpedaling. You obviously got offended a few days ago, which is why you posted two comments today singling me out and accusing me of being in a “bubble”. I’m not going to waste any more time with you. Have a good day my friend

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

Try re-reading my post again. I said Omega's claim of 100% made in Switzerland that you pulled from their website and were defending elsewhere in this thread.



Going by Omega's response and confirmation, yes, we are expected to believe so that they are made in elsewhere, including Asia.

I was just going off the information we had at hand at the time, then some members and I took the initiative to contact Omega directly and got the full picture. You’re welcome.

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Lol nice try backpedaling. You obviously got offended a few days ago, which is why you posted two comments today singling me out and accusing me of being in a “bubble”. I’m not going to waste any more time with you. Have a good day my friend

Must be hard being incorrect this whole time. I can't imagine the frustration of paying full retail for a new Speedmaster from the boutique and finding this out afterwards. How dare Omega lie to you.

Me offended? I claimed they were made in Asia this whole time that you tried to refute. Sounds like something a denier would say.

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

This is why Rolex is superior because they've vertically integrated their entire production supply throughout Switzerland. Sure, some of the raw metals may come from outside the country, but the foundry, design, and assembly all take place in Switzerland.

Any of the other swiss watch brands that belong to a luxury conglomerate (Swatch, Richemont, LVMH, etc.) will have parts made elsewhere.

The Omega parts made in China/Thailand, etc. has been well known for a long time but there's still some deniers out there. I've ordered parts straight from the Omega boutique near me and they even acknowledged that parts are produced outside of Switzerland especially since the packaging states the country of production (China/Thailand). Omega abuses the "Swiss-Made" loopholes.

[rajurama]

Makes me wonder what part of my Moon Swatch is not made in Asia