Kaia Gerber’s mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, was one of the biggest icons of the 1990s and Omega’s very first “testimonial.” Kaia embodies the new generation
of this close connection … On her wrist: the “De Ville Trésor” in MoonshineTM Gold.
In the Course
of Time
Omega and Women… A history spanning over 120 years, filled with passion, courage, and creativity.
Text: INES B. KASPAREK
Photos: OMEGA
An extraordinary creation made from moldavite, yellow gold, and platinum: designed for the World’s Fair in New York, equipped with the smallest automatic movement of that time.
One of the very first wristwatches made by Omega.
A symbol of a distinctive era:
Art Deco from the hands to the strap.
Bold, classy, and decorative – simply
typical of the seventies
Aqua Terra 38 mm
Sporty elegance in the 3rd millennium, case, and band made of Sedna TM Gold.
Speedmaster 38 mm
More than just a women’s version of the legendary chronograph.
You must love women to understand them! Only then can you style them, design their accessories, and shape their style. The always confident product designers at Omega acted in this ever-changing field like fashion designers – with maximum dedication!
For over a hundred years – during the 19th century – the watch industry was a purely male domain. Nevertheless, around the turn of the century, around 1902, Omega produced its first women’s wristwatch. Packaged in a silver case with a delicate floral pattern, its purpose was clear: to delight the ladies of high society, who had previously only worn small watches around their necks or on their belts, and to herald a new era. The age of the wristwatch indeed began on women’s wrists. At that time, men – with few exceptions like pilots, explorers, and engineers – wore pocket watches almost exclusively.
However, the success among women was enormous. By the mid-1930s, 35 percent of the high-quality mechanical movements produced by Omega were for women’s watches!
As with all forward-looking products, the wristwatch initially met with social resistance. For a lady, it was considered impolite to look at the time in company. But resistance also fosters creativity. Due to social conventions, many so-called “Montres Secrets” were created, watches that did not appear to be timepieces at first glance but looked like jewelry. A secret mechanism ensured that the hidden watch was revealed at the wearer’s request.
Ladymatic 34 mm: Elegant and powerful at the same time – adapted
for the women of the 21st century.
Constellation Meteorite
The “well-traveled” among Omega’s women’s watch creations.
New times brought new challenges: in 1937, the “Medicus” was designed, an easy-to-read and easy-to-use watch for hardworking nurses. At the same time, it was the first Omega wristwatch with a central seconds hand. Always a step ahead, Omega was practically an emancipated watch brand.
An advertisement from 1951 stated: “Women are just as active, sporty, and busy in all aspects of life as men. Like him, she also needs a precision watch.” When the Ladymatic was launched in 1955, it contained the world’s smallest automatic caliber. It was superior to all other models on the market and immediately became a sensation because it combined advanced technology with beautiful design.
The series of ticking milestones from Omega could go on endlessly. The watch industry, and with it the genre of women’s watches, has gone through many epochs. Omega had to reinvent the watch dozens of times to meet the changing image of women. And today? It seems there is everything, and everything is allowed: chronographs, diver’s and pilot’s watches, sporty, classic, elegant, large, small, simple, and lavishly adorned with gemstones women’s watches. One thing, however, has not changed: The women who choose an Omega wristwatch today are as courageous, charming, stylish, and iconic as those over a hundred years ago
OMEGA BOUTIQUE VIENNA
Stock-im-Eisen-Platz 3, 1010 Vienna
tel.: +43 (0)1 226 11 12
Open: Mon–Fri 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.,
Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
omegawatches.com