The day after Cindy Crawford and George Clooney inaugurated OMEGA's new global advertising campaign at London's Saatchi Gallery, Crawford continued her busy schedule of London appearances on behalf of the Swiss-based watchmaker.

Crawford, who has been an OMEGA spokesperson since 1995, was in London to help in the launch of the re-designed Constellation line, which she has promoted since her earliest days with the brand.

Accompanied by OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart, Crawford's working day started with visit to the OMEGA Boutique at London Westfield, where she autographed a box containing a new Constellation watch. The box and its contents were placed in a transparent safe which was locked and taken inside the shop where it is now on display.

A glittering evening in Mayfair
In the evening, Stephen Urquhart and Cindy Crawford hosted an exclusive VIP party at The Almada, a member's-only club in London's Mayfair district, to celebrate the new Constellation line. Guests at The Almada included celebrities from the worlds of sport and show business; Olympic gold medallists literally rubbed shoulders with popular actors and singers at the well-attended event. The evening's music was played by DJ Roger Taylor of Duran Duran, who also introduced the co-hosts when they arrived.

The Constellation locked in the safe at the Westfield OMEGA Boutique also played an important role at The Almada. As guests were leaving the party, they were given an OMEGA Constellation pouch containing a key. Only one of the keys opens the safe and the lucky key holder will be the proud owner of the OMEGA Constellation presented in a box autographed by the most successful super model in fashion history.

The OMEGA Constellation – a dazzling configuration of stars
OMEGA's Constellations with their distinctive "griffes" or claws have been among the most popular and recognizable wristwatches in the world since 1982. When Cindy Crawford started working with OMEGA in 1995, the Constellations famously became "Cindy's Choice in the company's marketing and advertising campaigns. She has been associated with the iconic watch line ever since. Crawford and actresses Nicole Kidman and Zhang Ziyi are OMEGA's global brand ambassadors for the Constellation line.

OMEGA inaugurated a worldwide advertising campaign celebrating the tenth anniversary of its revolutionary Co-Axial technology, at a party at London's Saatchi Gallery on the 14th of October. The campaign will have its global launch on the 19th of October. Party guests toasted two of OMEGA's prominent spokespersons George Clooney and Cindy Crawford who were on hand at the celebration.

The advertisements feature photographs of OMEGA's high-profile ambassadors, including Crawford and Clooney, sporting or holding loupes, the magnifying glasses favoured by watchmakers.

Crawford and Clooney, joined by OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart, posed for photographs in front of poster-sized reproductions of their advertisements. They also looked at the larger-than-life images of their fellow OMEGA ambassadors including Buzz Aldrin, Michael Phelps, Michael Schumacher, and Caterina Murino.

The special guests came directly to the party at the prestigious gallery from the premiere of Fantastic Mr. Fox, an animated film based on Roald Dahl's book of the same name. The movie features Clooney's voice along with those of Meryl Streep and Bill Murray.

After taking in the exhibition, Clooney and Crawford chatted with international media and posed for photographs with fans and well wishers.

Advertising as art: where better than the Saatchi Gallery?
The Saatchi Gallery on Kings Road, where the exhibition was held, has one of the world’s pre-eminent collections of contemporary art and along with works by established artists, it features work by largely unseen young artists or by international artists whose work is rarely exhibited in the UK.

Inspired by OMEGA's award-winning advertisement
The campaign’s visuals were inspired by OMEGA’s award-winning “Watchmaker Wanted” advertisement featuring a Greg Williams photograph of George Clooney wearing a lab coat and a loupe.

The headlines in each of the advertisements refer both to the ambassador's professional accomplishments and to OMEGA’s Co-Axial calibres.

Cindy Crawford's features the bold legend, "The beauty is in the detail." For Clooney, there is a reference to the fact that his father has been a long-time OMEGA wearer. “It runs in the family,” the headline says.

All of OMEGA's other high-flying ambassadors are featured in the campaign. Advertisements featuring actresses Nicole Kidman and Zhang Ziyi are still in development.

The other "stars" in the adverts: OMEGA's Co-Axial calibres
The Co-Axial escapement, introduced in 1999, was the first practical new watch escapement to be developed in some 250 years. The escapement is, in simple terms, the heart of the mechanical watch. It maintains the oscillations of the balance, the watch's regulating mechanism. The Co-Axial Escapement reduces the friction among the parts that transmit energy to the other components, resulting in longer service intervals, a reduced need for lubrication and, above all, greater stability of the watch's precision over time.

"Co-Axial has been a turning point"
Commenting on the advertisements, OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart said, "The Co-Axial has been a turning point for us. It has given substance to our message. Creating a campaign around the quality of OMEGA's Co-Axial movements using these pictures of our brand ambassadors is an innovative and eye-catching way to communicate how proud we are that the calibres have been so well received and how confident we are about the role they will play in OMEGA's future."

OMEGA brand ambassador Nicole Kidman visited the OMEGA flagship boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York City to donate her signed OMEGA Constellation timepiece to the "Ambassador Collection Series" of autographed watches.

This collection features watches and memorabilia that include Olympian Michael Phelps' Planet Ocean Chronograph, Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin's Speedmaster Moonwatch and Golf Pro Sergio Garcia's Mission Hills Double Eagle Constellation Chronograph.

Additionally, Kidman signed the boxes of thirty select, recently released OMEGA Constellation timepieces which will be available for purchase at the Fifth Avenue OMEGA boutique. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of these signed watches will be donated to Kidman's charity of choice, UNIFEM: the United Nation's development fund for women. Kidman is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and UNIFEM.

OMEGA, the prestigious watch manufacturer, was founded in 1848 and since then has continually set the pace in many of the fields of watch making: from increasing precision, to creating timekeepers for competitions and sport to watches for professional use in space or underwater. OMEGA has been an important presence in world of achievements including the conquest of space, timekeeping at 22 Olympic Games as well as the winner of a host of precision records and design awards. OMEGA will be Official Timekeeper for the Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games.

Omega, Swiss luxury watchmaker and creator of “the Bond watch”, has opened its James Bond Exhibition to the public at Cite du Temps in Geneva, Switzerland. On display until end of January 2007 is an exclusive selection of photographs, Omega watches worn by members of the cast, and props used in the filming of Casino Royale, the 21st and most recent film adventure featuring Ian Fleming’s legendary British spy. Among the artifacts on display are a number of personal items–a book of poems, a handkerchief, a letter, keys, a bottle of perfume–belonging to Vesper Lynd, played by the beautiful French actress, Eva Green. Additional items of interest to Bond fans include the inhaler used by Bond’s nemesis, Le Chiffre, an architectural scale model of the fictional “Casino Royale” in Montenegro and, naturally, the Bond watch worn in the film by Daniel Craig, the British actor playing James Bond for the first time.

In point of fact, Daniel Craig wears two Omega watches in Casino Royale. The first is a striking black Planet Ocean, the professional diver’s watch Bond wears before he earns his notorious “license to kill”. The second is “the Bond watch” familiar from earlier films in the long-running series, an Omega Seamaster Professional. Also on view in the Geneva exhibition are producer Barbara Broccoli’s copy of the Casino Royale screenplay, Bond’s money clip and credit cards, British passports made out to Bond and Vesper Lynd, short videos with scenes from the film, and large-scale photographs from the set, many of which have not previously been released elsewhere.

The Omega James Bond Exhibition is open to the public at Cite du Temps, the Swatch Group cultural centre in the heart of Geneva, Switzerland. The historic building at Pont de la Machine 1 has been a city landmark since the 1840s. Originally constructed to supply water to the city’s new fountains and recently restructured by the Swatch Group, it has become a vital source of energy for the arts and culture in Geneva. The interactive venue accommodates cultural events, conferences, permanent exhibitions and a broad range of temporary exhibitions.

Celebrating the return of James Bond to the silver screen, Omega has released two new limited-edition Bond watches: The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Casino Royale, available in a limited edition of 5,007, and the James Bond Limited Series, an exclusive new Omega Seamaster Professional featuring the classic blue “Bond” bezel and 007 numerals at the tip of the seconds hand, limited to 10,007 pieces. Among the first Bond watches to be equipped with the exclusive Omega Co-Axial Escapement, both models are professional diver’s watches and COSC-certified chronometers.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM: up $0.10 to $14.55, Research, Estimates) and Eon Productions are looking forward to cashing in on the superspy's style. The 20th Bond film in the series, "Die Another Day," starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond and Halle Berry as Jinx (the latest Bond girl), arrived in theaters Nov. 22.

The film grossed an estimated $47 milllion -- the biggest opening for a Bond movie ever -- on its opening weekend.

Every new Bond film comes with new products and marketing tie-ins. "Die Another Day," is no exception. MGM is spending $30 million on advertising, according to Variety, and has enlisted more than 20 marketing partners who are reportedly contributing more than $120 million in worldwide promotions.

The last three Bond films featured BMW cars, but the latest film pays tribute to Bond's past by having the secret agent drive an Aston Martin with a passenger ejection seat -- first seen in "Goldfinger" in 1964.

The limited-edition 40th year anniversary 007 Seamaster.
Robert Emmons, president of Omega, said that James Bond has a "remarkable impact on the sales of Omega watches," adding that "people respond to Bond and want to own something that he has." The Omega Seamaster watch has been seen on Bond's wrist and, thanks to a few gadget alterations, helped him get out of some intense situations since 1995.

Omega is taking another step with a direct marketing promotion aimed specifically at James Bond fans. Moviegoers nationwide will receive a unique movie theater "playbill" (similar to those produced for Broadway shows) with the purchase of a "Die Another Day" ticket at the box office. The "playbill" will contain information about Omega, the film, how to win 007's watch and a trivia challenge.

If Omega is a little pricey, Swatch is introducing a collection of 20 watches themed after 20 Bond films. The watches are priced from $50 to $125 and a special collector's carrying case is available to hold all 20 of them for $150.
 
Attention Bond girls: Cosmetics company Revlon (REV: up $0.06 to $3.95, Research, Estimates) is introducing a limited edition 007 Color Collection inspired by favorite Bond movies.

"The Look of Jinx," played by Revlon spokeswoman Berry, and "The Look of Miranda Frost," an MI6 agent, are inspired by the "Die Another Day" film.

As I sit down to write this comparative review, I realize it's been 4 years since I compared dive watches from Rolex and Omega.  In the four years since I first compared the Omega Seamaster Professional to the Rolex Submariner and the article has become one of the most popular watch related articles on the web - hardly a week goes by that someone doesn't read the article and write to me with questions or comments.  As much as I'd like to take credit for the popularity of the article, it's the topic which is very interesting.  In the world of luxury watches, the rivalry between Rolex and Omega is every bit as strong as that between Ford and Chevy in the car world, or the University of Michigan and Ohio State University in the world of college football.  And the fans of each brand are both loyal and legion. 

In the years since my previous comparison, Omega has created a new dive watch - the Seamaster Planet Ocean.  Inside and out, the Planet Ocean is watch with specifications which exceed those of the previous generation Seamaster Professional.  While the Seamaster Professional is a watch that compares well with the Rolex Submariner, the Planet Ocean is more appropriately compared to Rolex's true deep-sea diving tool watch - the Sea-Dweller.

As you can see from the above photograph, there's a substantial size difference between the Sea-Dweller and the Planet Ocean.  At 45.5mm in diameter, the Planet Ocean seemingly dwarfs the 40mm diameter Sea-Dweller.  Accordingly, the Planet Ocean weighs considerably more than the Sea-Dweller - this is easily one of the heaviest watches, if not the heaviest watch, I've ever tried on.  It feels at least 30% heavier than the Sea-Dweller.  Is being bigger and heavier a good thing?  That's purely a matter of personal preference.  From my stand point, 40mm is a pretty nice size - I can wear the 42mm Seamaster Professional, but the 45.5mm Planet Ocean was just too big and heavy for my taste.  Fortunately, the Planet Ocean does come in a 42mm version, so if you're considering the Planet Ocean, make sure you try on both sizes before buying one.

Seamaster: the self-winding Caliber 2500 is based upon the ETA 2892-2. The use of the ETA ebauche means that the Caliber 2500 isn't considered an "in house" movement, or manufacturer's caliber in the strictest of sense. But, given that both Omega and legendary movement manufacturer ETA are owned by the Swatch Group, the Caliber 2500 might just be an "in family" movement even if it isn't manufactured completely "in house" by Omega. The Caliber 2500 ads 2 more jewels as compared to the Caliber 1120 (27 jewels in total) as well as employing the revolutionary Co-Axial Escapement designed by George Daniels. The primary engineering advantage gained by this design feature is greatly reduced friction. Thanks to this reduction in friction within the movement, the Caliber 2500 requires minimal lubrication. The Planet Ocean can go an amazing 10 years between servicing, and has a warranty period from Omega one year longer than other watches they sell (3 year manufactures warranty.). Additionally, the Caliber 2500 is equipped with a simplified regulating system called a free-sprung balance which greatly improves the timing precision of this COSC certified movement. The Caliber 2500 vibrates at a speed of 25, 200 VPH - an unusual beat speed that to my knowledge has never before been used in a movement balance. Apparently the odd balance speed is attributable to the complex co-axial escapement, and the somewhat narrow parameters in which it operates optimally.. RATING: 7.5

WINNER: Seamaster. Tough call here - each has obvious strengths and weaknesses. The PO bracelet feels like a much heavier, more substantial bracelet. The Sea-Dweller bracelet is, to me, more comfortable. Rolex uses a higher grade steel (904) than Omega (316L) in the bracelet. However, I can discern no significant functional advantage for them to do so in a watch bracelet, and 904 grade steel is approximate 3 times more expensive than 316L. My research indicates 904 grade steel is more commonly used in industrial components which under constant exposure to highly corrosive substances (acids and the like) - conditions which a watch bracelet simply will not be exposed to. Therefore, there is no appreciable benefit to the 904 grade steel in the Rolex bracelet as compared to 316L used in the Omega bracelet. Indeed, no other watch manufacturer uses 904. The Oyster bracelet on the SD will be easier to size, by virtue of the screws in the adjustable links as opposed to friction pins in the PO bracelet: Slight edge to the PO for solid center links.

Anyone who owns an Omega Seamaster or Speedmaster with the two-button clasp knows that it's a fantastic clasp, but also knows that it shows scratches very easily.  Back when I did my review of the black dial Seamaster Pro (click here to read it) I made mention that I used Scotch Brite pads to remove the inevitable scratches which will show up on the clasp.  Over the years, I've received a lot of e-mails asking more what I do to remove scratches from the Omega two-button clasp, so I decided to do a tutorial on the subject.

It won't take too many strokes, and it doesn't require a great deal of effort or torque.  Just gently stroke the clasp with the pad, make sure to move lengthwise along the clasp.  Make sure you don't accidentally rub any of the shinny, polished surfaces of the bracelet.  The Scotch Brite pad is for removing scratches on BRUSHED stainless steel surfaces (like the clasp of the SMP) NOT POLISHED stainless steel surfaces.  Once done, I usually go over the clasp with the yellow sponge side of the pad to clean it up a bit.

People have often written to me and are very concerned that using the Scotch Brite pad method will ruin the Omega engraving work on the clasp, but as you can see, this isn't the case.  You'd need a grinding tool and would really have to remove a lot of surface metal on the clasp to remove the engraving.

I use the above illustrated Scotch Brite scratch removal procedure on my Omega clasps once every 3-4 months and it keeps them looking like brand new.  The Seamaster Professional model in these photographs is two years old, but again, with some proper maintenance, can easily be kept looking brand new. 

Certainly the same product and techniques demonstrated here could be used for other non-Omega watches - it should work just fine on any brushed metal surface, but it's always a good idea to practice on a small area first. 

The 2531.80.00 Seamaster, is often called the "Bond Seamaster" because Pierce Brosnan has worn a Seamaster of this style since his debut in the role of James Bond back in 1995 in the film, GOLDENEYE.  The introduction of the 2531.80.00 actually pre-dates Brosnan , and was first introduced by Omega in 1993 (Source:  OMEGA DESIGNS, p. 98).  Here's a screen capture from GOLDENEYE where the film's villain, a defected "00" secret agent has captured James Bond and compares his "old model" British Secret Service issued watch to the newer model which he's taken from Bond.

The trained eye will notice that the first Seamaster used in GOLDENEYE was not the Seamaster Professional chronometer - it was actually the quartz version of the same watch.  Later in the Brosnan series of James Bond films, he can be seen wearing the actual Seamaster Professional chronometer model 2531.80.00.  Here's a few screen captures from Brosnan's final appearance as James Bond, DIE ANOTHER DAY.

Recognizing the success of the Omega tie in with the character of James Bond, Omega quickly made Pierce Brosnan an official Omega Ambassador.  In this role, Brosnan has helped promote Omega for nearly 10 years.  As DIE ANOTHER DAY represents Pierce Brosnan's last outing as the character of James Bond, his future as an Omega Ambassador is uncertain.  As of this writing, it is also unclear whether MGM will select a new watch for whomever takes the role of James Bond in the next film.

One cannot understate the significance of the "Bond" Seamaster to Omega's success.  In ten years, Omega has emerged from the ranks several well respected, but somewhat obscurely recognized Swiss watch companies, to becoming quite arguably the number two Swiss watch company in the world.  Omega is second only to Rolex in brand name recognition and sales volume.  The success of the 2531.80.00 also allowed Omega to put resources into enhancing other existing models, such as the successful Speedmaster line, as well as developing all new models such as the Aqua Terra line.  Omega has also been able to focus more resources into producing horological innovations that would not have been possible without the success of the Bond Seamster, such as the Co-Axial escapement, and the caliber 33xx chronograph movement.  So what makes the 2531.80.00 so special you ask?

Adding to the dial's uniqueness is the signature Seamaster "wave" pattern which runs throughout.  Again, depending on how the light catches the pattern, the dial's appearance can really vary.  Omega also used skeletonized hands on the Bond Seamaster which further add to the distinctiveness of this watch.  The tips of the hour and minute hand, as well as the applied markers are coated with Super Luminova to give the watch reasonably good night time visibility.  Of course, because the available surface area to apply Super Luminova is greatly reduced due to the skeletonized hands, the luminescent glow of the dial isn't quite up to the standards set by the other Seamaster Professional models which use "sword" style hands.  That's not to say that the Bond Seamaster has poor low light visibility - it doesn't.  However the cosmetically pleasing and distinctive skeleton hands of the Bond Seamaster simply aren't as functional as other Seamaster Professionals - a big reason why I feel this watch isn't best suited as a true diver as compared with other choices.  Quite honestly, I didn't warm up to the dial color and skeleton hands right away on this watch.  It just seemed to "different" for me.  But after a year of seeing a good friend of mine wear his, and seeing how good it looked on him, I changed my mind.  I was at the point in my collection where I needed something "different" and the unique features of the Bond Seamaster dial fit the bill nicely.  The Bond Seamaster dial is protected by a domed-shape sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflective coating applied. 

The indispensable role which Swiss watchmaker Omega played in man's first steps on the lunar surface forty years ago is the focus of a fascinating exhibition at the famous KaDeWe department store in Berlin.  The event, entitled, "The 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing" offers viewers a chance to see NASA equipment similar to that used by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins on the fateful date of July 21st, 1969.  Naturally, Omega watches--the historic Speedmaster Professional  "Moonwatch" Chronograph in particular--are a prominent feature of the exhibition.  

The largest display consists of astronaut on the moon's surface with one of the first Speedmaster Chronograph watches over his spacesuit, on an expandable fabric strap.  As is well known to many followers of both Omega history and that of NASA, this Omega Speedmaster model has a long and distinguished track record with the American space program; it is the watch which NASA officially approved for all manned space flights after a series of particularly brutal tests, and it remains the only watch so far to be worn on the moon.  Of note to history buffs, the Omega Speedmaster chronograph watches worn by Donn F. Eisele during the Apollo 7 mission, and Thomas Stafford of Gemini 9 and Apollo 10 are both part of the exhibit.  

Out of respect and recognition for the immense importance of President John F. Kennedy to the rapid progression of the American space program during the 1960's, Omega has also included JFK's ultra-thin rectangular Omega dress watch in yellow gold.  This was the same timepiece which the dynamic American leader wore during his inauguration on January 20, 1961.  

"The 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing" Omega exhibition at KaDeWe began on July 20th, and will be held through August 24th, 2009. The various Omega displays are located in KaDeWe's Theme Hall, in addition to certain of the department store's display windows.  KaDeWe is open from 10:00AM to 8:00PM on Monday through Friday, and from 9:30AM to 8:00PM on Saturdays. 

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph is without question one of the world's most capable luxury sports watches.  Boasting an formidable water resistance rating of 600 meters, along with a bevy of other technical features deemed essential in a super-professional diving timepiece, it houses a sophisticated column-wheel chronograph movement that has earned it respect from Omega fans and broader watch-mad audiences alike.  However, with an imposing case diameter of 45.5 millimeters, one could say that it is a watch that "picks its wearer".  To address this matter, and particularly the demands of female fans who enjoy highly technical and edgy mechanical timepieces, Omega has announced a new 37.5mm version of this impressive Seamaster model. 

The case and bracelet of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph Ladies' 600M watch are both crafted from 316L steel.  As suits the sporting nature of the watch, the surface finishing is predominantly brushed, with subtle elegant contrasts provided by polished elements on the angled lug sections, and the sides of the bracelet.  The deployant clasp features a concealed diving extension for wetsuit fitting, and is engraved with the Omega signature and the Planet Ocean designation; it releases precisely with simultaneous pressure on both of the lateral push-buttons.  Turning the knurled rotating bezel--which ratchets in the counter-clockwise direction only for safety during dives--is a handy feature not only essential for timing dive intervals, but useful in less specialized day to day situations.  The same can be said for the highly legible black dial with its bold luminous hour indications, discreet date display, and clearly laid-out chronograph registers.  Large arrow-tipped hands with white Superluminova material also glow brilliantly, never making the owner second guess what time it is, either below the waves or on dimly lit city streets.  

The deep-diving water resistance of the Omega Planet Ocean Chronograph 600M watch is attained through very precise manufacturing tolerances.  A particularly robust screw-down caseback, a thick convex sapphire crystal, and a screw-down winding crown keep moisture's harmful reach away from the movement, even at the tremendous pressures exerted 2,000 feet below the sea.  Familiar from other modern Omega dive watches is the screw-down helium release valve at the 10 o'clock position.  This device, useful to specialized deep-sea divers, allows the safe venting of helium-based gas mixtures that invariably accumulate inside the case.  Such gases expand inside the case and movement as the diver surfaces.  Without a mechanism to allow their egress, these gases can render the watch inoperable--an unacceptable situation during moments when an accurate timekeeper can mean the difference between life or death.    

Animating the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph Ladies' 600M is an impressive self-winding mechanical movement that effectively merges watchmaking traditions with useful forward-thinking innovation.  A true integrated chronograph movement, the Caliber 3313 features a prestigious column-wheel mechanism to precisely control its start, stop and return to zero sequences.  The caliber also features a desirable freely sprung balance, an element that optimizes long-term precision--particularly when the watch is exposed to jarring and bumps from sports activities.  Another highlight is the use of Omega's Co-Axial Escapement, a technical innovation that promotes excellent timekeeping through the reduction of friction in the brain center of the movement--the all-important escapement.  Evidence of this high level of performance is found in the "Chronometer" inscription on the dial, a testament to the movement having undergone and passed the 15-day testing process of the Official Swiss Chronometer Institute (COSC).  Although hidden from view behind a vault-like steel caseback, the movement has not been spared the aesthetic charms of the watchmaking craft: the plate is finished with circular graining, and bridges shimmer with Cotes de Geneve patterns.  The edges of bridges are also finely chamfered, and screw and jewel settings feature carefully applied bevels.  

Omega offers two appealing variations of its Seamaster Planet Ocean Co-Axial Chronograph Ladies' 600M watch. The first shows off the classical sobriety expected of a divers watch, with a black and silver anodized aluminum insert on the steel rotating bezel.  Its slightly more flamboyant relative is fitted with an orange anodized bezel insert.  On both models, subtle dial details and the rings around the chronograph pushers echo the color schemes of the bezel.