Omega manufacturing

[brandrea]

Now we know …

Omega outsources bracelets and clasps from “carefully selected external suppliers who meet Omega’s high-quality standards” sourced from “mainly European countries”.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=972706

The question I have for the Omega community and in my specific case, owners of the 321 Ed White …

Does this change the way you “feel” about your Omega timepiece?

When I bought my 321 a couple of years ago it was a highly emotional purchase. Of course much has been written about the 321. The history, the lengths that Omega went to recreate the movement, the hand assembly in Bienne etc etc.

Separate from this is of course the “ price” which has been a much debated aspect of this reference and one I’ve defended.

Realizing everyone has their own reasons for owning any given reference, does the fact that Omega does not manufacture its own bracelets and claps (especially on a reference of this stature and price point) change how you feel about ownership?

Whether you own a 321 or another Omega, I’m interested in the conversation.


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[stratguy]

It bothers me for sure. Having said that, I wear a Speedy hesalite almost everyday and I love the watch so much that I just accept it.

[samson66]

The requirements to mark a product as "Swiss Made" are so loose that as long as a certain percentage of that item is produced in Switzerland they can make the rest wherever they want. That has always bothered me. But it seems like all the big brands do it in one form or another. What I would like is for Omega and other brands to be up front and transparent in where they are sourcing various parts of their watches and bracelets. Like be specific about it. If the clasp is from Switzerland, but the bracelet is from China, tell me that. Then I can make an informed decision. I realize that is never going to happen but it would be nice. As for a brand like Omega outsourcing bracelets, that is a big disappointment ESPECIALLY considering their price increases over the last 4 or 5 years. Charge me more, fine, but don't give me a lesser product at the same time.

[brandrea]

Can a mod fix my brutal spelling in the title block? Thank you in advance

[Cru Jones]

Subscribed..... looking forward to hopefully hearing from 321 or other Omega owners.

[cuppa_watch]

Owner of 321 and I don't care. First there's no solid evidence that 321's bracelets are not made in house. Second, I only care about quality, and so far Omega still seems to be one of the bests. If the quality gets poor, yes I'd be mad.

I work in engineering and this is a common practice. Gay Frères has been making Rolex bracelets for decades.

As for the price, if Omega does everything in house, I'm sure the price would be even higher and many of us would be even more unhappy. It's a public company, and their margin (albeit at the group level, not for each brand) is all there for people to see.

In all, I'd rather see them focus their spending on things like designers, material, finish, and not on things like who manufacturers it. They should have the freedom to pick the supplier with the highest finish and quality, and lowest price, like every other industrial products manufacturer.

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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by cuppa_watch

Owner of 321 and I don't care. First there's no solid evidence that 321's bracelets are not made in house. Second, I only care about quality, and so far Omega still seems to be one of the bests. If the quality gets poor, yes I'd be mad.

I work in engineering and this is a common practice. Gay Frères has been making Rolex bracelets for decades.

As for the price, if Omega does everything in house, I'm sure the price would be even higher and many of us would be even more unhappy. It's a public company, and their margin (albeit at the group level, not for each brand) is all there for people to see.

In all, I'd rather see them focus their spending on things like designers, material, finish, and not on things like who manufacturers it. They should have the freedom to pick the supplier with the highest finish and quality, and lowest price, like every other industrial products manufacturer.

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Thank you for your perspective

I did confirm with Omega just this morning. They do not manufacture bracelets or clasps. They are sourced from approved third party suppliers as in the OP.

You can read about it here: scroll to bottom of page 4

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...=972706&page=4

[SvenNikolai]

Another thread discussing Omega's manufacturing prompted me to ask Omega directly. Omega replied (translated):

"Dear Mr...., Thank you for your message and your interest in our brand. We would like to inform you that the term "Swiss made" is a regulation on the use of the Swiss name for watches of the Swiss Federal Council. Our timepieces are made exclusively from high-quality materials and with high-precision devices. All our movements are designed and manufactured by a specialized unit within OMEGA or our group, thus meeting all the conditions attached to the above regulation. For further questions, we are happy to be there for you."

Even if the production is not entirely made in Switzerland, I can live with that and really enjoy wearing my Speedmaster and Seamaster.

For special models, such as the 321, I would like absolutely 100% production at Omega in Switzerland.

[WatchEater666]

It comes across as misleading, really dislike it

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SvenNikolai

Another thread discussing Omega's manufacturing prompted me to ask Omega directly. Omega replied (translated):

"Dear Mr...., Thank you for your message and your interest in our brand. We would like to inform you that the term "Swiss made" is a regulation on the use of the Swiss name for watches of the Swiss Federal Council. Our timepieces are made exclusively from high-quality materials and with high-precision devices. All our movements are designed and manufactured by a specialized unit within OMEGA or our group, thus meeting all the conditions attached to the above regulation. For further questions, we are happy to be there for you."

Even if the production is not entirely made in Switzerland, I can live with that and really enjoy wearing my Speedmaster and Seamaster.

For special models, such as the 321, I would like absolutely 100% production at Omega in Switzerland.

If you read the thread I quoted above you can see the actual screen shots of the message direct from Omega .. No translation required

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by stratguy

It bothers me for sure. Having said that, I wear a Speedy hesalite almost everyday and I love the watch so much that I just accept it.

Originally Posted by samson66

The requirements to mark a product as "Swiss Made" are so loose that as long as a certain percentage of that item is produced in Switzerland they can make the rest wherever they want. That has always bothered me. But it seems like all the big brands do it in one form or another. What I would like is for Omega and other brands to be up front and transparent in where they are sourcing various parts of their watches and bracelets. Like be specific about it. If the clasp is from Switzerland, but the bracelet is from China, tell me that. Then I can make an informed decision. I realize that is never going to happen but it would be nice. As for a brand like Omega outsourcing bracelets, that is a big disappointment ESPECIALLY considering their price increases over the last 4 or 5 years. Charge me more, fine, but don't give me a lesser product at the same time.

Thanks guys, appreciate your thoughts

[gamingdoctor]

Would prefer if nothing was made or sourced from a country with poor labor laws or regulations, *especially* for luxury goods. I would also not mind paying more for the watch if it meant everything was sourced in a location where work was done ethically.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by gamingdoctor

Would prefer if nothing was made or sourced from a country with poor labor laws or regulations, *especially* for luxury goods. I would also not mind paying more for the watch if it meant everything was sourced in a location where work was done ethically.

Exactly.

This isn’t just about the quality of the outsourced parts or the ability of suppliers to follow specifications. At least, not for me. And I suspect for some others as well.

The fact that Omega claims their fully outsourced bracelets and clasps come “mostly” from Europe, but for “confidentiality reasons” they can’t say from what other countries they source, gives me pause. If there weren’t a potential issue concerning the source country (regardless of the quality of the supplier in that country), surely Omega would be clear about this.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…

[RolexBHR]

I've ordered several bracelets and clasps from Omega and they are all made in different places. I don't mind because the quality is there.

Hardly any swiss watch maker makes the bracelets/clasps in house. The highend brands might be made in switzerland but not in house. I can't think of anything other than Rolex and AP that makes them in house, not even the patek nautilus bracelet is made in house.

[ap1]

I happen to think my 321 bracelet is the best of any omega I’ve ever owned, that’s like a LOT of them. So I guess I’m ok with it, regardless of where built.

Btw the turq AT bracelet takes the 2nd seed

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ap1

I happen to think my 321 bracelet is the best of any omega I’ve ever owned, that’s like a LOT of them. So I guess I’m ok with it, regardless of where built.

Btw the turq AT bracelet takes the 2nd seed

Yes, I do agree the 321 bracelet and clasp are very very nice

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RolexBHR

I've ordered several bracelets and clasps from Omega and they are all made in different places. I don't mind because the quality is there.

Hardly any swiss watch maker makes the bracelets/clasps in house. The highend brands might be made in switzerland but not in house. I can't think of anything other than Rolex and AP that makes them in house, not even the patek nautilus bracelet is made in house.

That’s interesting to me. Do you know where the Nautilus bracelet is made. I guess I assumed the Swiss trinity made all of their components in house.

[hl0m4n]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s interesting to me. Do you know where the Nautilus bracelet is made. I guess I assumed the Swiss trinity made all of their components in house.

patek bracelet is definitely made in house: https://revolutionwatch.com/patek-ph...6-manufacture/

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

patek bracelet is definitely made in house: https://revolutionwatch.com/patek-ph...6-manufacture/

Wonderful read … 2nd floor

I was surprised by the earlier post, so thank you for clarifying


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[RW16610]

Although I do not have a 321 (I own 5 Omega's currently) this bothers me. In particular for a model like yours, but agree that it can come across to many as somewhat misleading.

Will I still enjoy my watches? Of course! However, for the price point the majority of the product line is now I'm disappointed. Sure, other brands are doing the same thing, but not thrilled about it.

[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by gamingdoctor

Would prefer if nothing was made or sourced from a country with poor labor laws or regulations, *especially* for luxury goods. I would also not mind paying more for the watch if it meant everything was sourced in a location where work was done ethically.

100% agree

[Tools]

Omega is a Swatch company. The one thing made at the old Omega factory, which was closed through the 90's, is the movement. Most everything else is sourced through the different companies owned or contracted by Swatch for their entire line up of watch brands.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Can a mod fix my brutal spelling in the title block? Thank you in advance

Fixed (in Hong Kong)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Fixed (in Hong Kong)

thank you Adam


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[77T]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I guess I assumed the Swiss trinity made all of their components in house.

Thanks for doing the groundwork on the topic Brian. I was among those who believed all 3 controlled the manufacturers of their major components in Switzerland. By that I mean movement, dials, hands, midcase, caseback, crystal, bezel, and bracelet.

With the Swatch tie-in it makes sense but didn't think they had taken Omega down the path.

Old world Rolex had dials made elsewhere and new world has crystals made elsewhere.

My own take is like buying a US/Mexico Porsche vs DTM spec.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by gamingdoctor

Would prefer if nothing was made or sourced from a country with poor labor laws or regulations, *especially* for luxury goods. I would also not mind paying more for the watch if it meant everything was sourced in a location where work was done ethically.

Agreed, and I would hope Omega at least adheres to this ethos

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by RW16610

Although I do not have a 321 (I own 5 Omega's currently) this bothers me. In particular for a model like yours, but agree that it can come across to many as somewhat misleading.

Will I still enjoy my watches? Of course! However, for the price point the majority of the product line is now I'm disappointed. Sure, other brands are doing the same thing, but not thrilled about it.

I’m trying to sort out exactly how I feel about this. I’m not thrilled to find this out that’s for sure.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks for doing the groundwork on the topic Brian. I was among those who believed all 3 controlled the manufacturers of their major components in Switzerland. By that I mean movement, dials, hands, midcase, caseback, crystal, bezel, and bracelet.

With the Swatch tie-in it makes sense but didn't think they had taken Omega down the path.

Old world Rolex had dials made elsewhere and new world has crystals made elsewhere.

My own take is like buying a US/Mexico Porsche vs DTM spec.


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Andrea had a similar comment. Clearly she doesn’t know me as well as she thinks

[Onequik135i]

321 owner here as well & I am wearing mine as I’m typing this, the 321 bracelet wears so comfortably that it really doesn’t bother me in the least :)

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Fixed (in Hong Kong)

Haha, this made me laugh!