Omega manufacturing

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 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 :)

Indeed it does

The quality aspect indeed is there (wherever the bracelet and clasp are made).

[brandrea]

I really hope to hear from @travelller and @logo as to their thoughts on this, as I know they are ardent 321 fans

[1William]

I don't like it and the lack of transparency for the manufacturing tells you everything you need to know.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by 1William

I don't like it and the lack of transparency for the manufacturing tells you everything you need to know.

It’s a tough pill to swallow at this point (for me).

[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by brandrea

It’s a tough pill to swallow at this point (for me).

Brian, I am not ecstatic about it either but it has been going on in the watch and luxury goods industry for decades. I hope you are not over thinking it buddy.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DoricSpiker

Brian, I am not ecstatic about it either but it has been going on in the watch and luxury goods industry for decades. I hope you are not over thinking it buddy.

I guess this is all new to me my friend, and perhaps I am overthinking it.

Watches are an emotional purchases (for some more than others). On a practical level, sure everything about the 321 is built to a very high standard. No one would argue that including me.

I guess in my case, I’m questioning the emotional aspect of ownership. Sure it’’s “Swiss made” by definition ….

Borrowed from @cru jones

Here is what qualifies a watch as being "Swiss made" according to the the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH (https://www.fhs.swiss/eng/whoweare.html):

"Art. 1a Definition of the Swiss watch

A watch is to be regarded as a Swiss watch if:

a. its technical development has taken place in Switzerland;
1. in the case of exclusively mechanical watches, at least the mechanical
construction and prototyping of the watch as a whole,

2. in the case of watches that are not exclusively mechanical, at least the
mechanical construction and prototyping of the watch as a whole, together
with the conception of the printed circuit or circuits, the display and the
software;
a bis. its movement is Swiss;

b. its movement has been cased up in Switzerland;

c. final inspection by the manufacturer took place in Switzerland and

d. at least 60% of the manufacturing costs is generated in Switzerland"

(https://www.fhs.swiss/file/8/Guide_FH_v.5_en.pdf)

… but it’s somewhat disappointing to to me, to learn that this reference isn’t at least made with components coming 100% from Switzerland at this price point.

[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I guess this is all new to me my friend, and perhaps I am overthinking it.

Watches are an emotional purchases (for some more than others). On a practical level, sure everything about the 321 is built to a very high standard. No one would argue that including me.

I guess in my case, I’m questioning the emotional aspect of ownership. Sure it’’s “Swiss made” by definition ….

Borrowed from @cru jones

Here is what qualifies a watch as being "Swiss made" according to the the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH (https://www.fhs.swiss/eng/whoweare.html):

"Art. 1a Definition of the Swiss watch

A watch is to be regarded as a Swiss watch if:

a. its technical development has taken place in Switzerland;
1. in the case of exclusively mechanical watches, at least the mechanical
construction and prototyping of the watch as a whole,

2. in the case of watches that are not exclusively mechanical, at least the
mechanical construction and prototyping of the watch as a whole, together
with the conception of the printed circuit or circuits, the display and the
software;
a bis. its movement is Swiss;

b. its movement has been cased up in Switzerland;

c. final inspection by the manufacturer took place in Switzerland and

d. at least 60% of the manufacturing costs is generated in Switzerland"

(https://www.fhs.swiss/file/8/Guide_FH_v.5_en.pdf)

… but it’s somewhat disappointing to to me, to learn that this reference isn’t at least made with components coming 100% from Switzerland at this price point.

I get it but I never thought everything would be 100% Swiss. I think the same about all of my watches. Some maybe 100% Swiss but most won’t be I reckon.
I agree the bracelet and clasp is a big chunk of the watch.
It is disappointing but I wouldn’t let it spoil your relationship with your 321. You don’t want to become the Porsche guy who will have nothing but a flat 6 911, without power assisted steering and with a manual gear box! Next stop buddy! :)


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by DoricSpiker

I get it but I never thought everything would be 100% Swiss. I think the same about all of my watches. Some maybe 100% Swiss but most won’t be I reckon.
I agree the bracelet and clasp is a big chunk of the watch.
It is disappointing but I wouldn’t let it spoil your relationship with your 321. You don’t want to become the Porsche guy who will have nothing but a flat 6 911, without power assisted steering and with a manual gear box! Next stop buddy! :)


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thank for the pick me up my friend. I’m going to try my best to suffer through the day




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[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by brandrea

thank for the pick me up my friend. I’m going to try my best to suffer through the day




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It’s a thing of absolute beauty.


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[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by brandrea

thank for the pick me up my friend. I’m going to try my best to suffer through the day

If it helps, another way to look at this incredibly gorgeous watch.

[Duke Nukem]

As a former Planet Ocean owner, this would bother me immensely. Especially given Omega's audacity with the false advertising of "every part of an Omega watch is made in Switzerland" on their website. As tempting as it is to purchase another Omega, (I really do like the new FOIS from afar) I won't vote give them another dollar. Their aftersales service is what I find to be the most appalling in the industry.

In your case OP, you do like the 321 and it's been trouble free for you, so I wouldn't try to worry. Just enjoy it and take this info in stride. If anything, it might make you more diligent when buying your next watch.

I've had the most success with dealing with the independent brands, not ones that belong to large luxury conglomerates. Rolex has fully integrated their production in house, so everything is truly made in Switzerland in their case. Sure, some of the raw material may come outside of the country, of course, but the foundry, production, and assembly is all done in Switzerland.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

If it helps, another way to look at this incredibly gorgeous watch.

Ya …. That’s NOT helping

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

If it helps, another way to look at this incredibly gorgeous watch.

Savage!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

As a former Planet Ocean owner, this would bother me immensely. Especially given Omega's audacity with the false advertising of "every part of an Omega watch is made in Switzerland" on their website. As tempting as it is to purchase another Omega, (I really do like the new FOIS from afar) I won't vote give them another dollar. Their aftersales service is what I find to be the most appalling in the industry.

In your case OP, you do like the 321 and it's been trouble free for you, so I wouldn't try to worry. Just enjoy it and take this info in stride. If anything, it might make you more diligent when buying your next watch.

I've had the most success with dealing with the independent brands, not ones that belong to large luxury conglomerates. Rolex has fully integrated their production in house, so everything is truly made in Switzerland in their case. Sure, some of the raw material may come outside of the country, of course, but the foundry, production, and assembly is all done in Switzerland.

Thanks for your comments and it certainly has made me more aware. This is not something I ever imagined.

I’ll take some time to process this information for sure. No rash decisions as it is one heckuva beautiful watch regardless of where the bracelet and clasp originate. I just wish Omega were more transparent.

Buyer beware indeed

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

Savage!

He’s a real bugger @cru jones. I promise not to blow up your WhatsApp with this topic any longer

[Duke Nukem]

Surprised the resident expert omar-rye hasn't chimed in yet in his defensive of Omega. Perhaps the discovery of Omega confirming their bracelets aren't made in Switzerland sent him into shock.

[DoricSpiker]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

If it helps, another way to look at this incredibly gorgeous watch.

Reminds me of someone I met in Germany in the 90’s !


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