Rolex or Omega – Which Luxury Watch to Choose?

Rolex watches and Omega watches both have been appealing to luxury watch collectors or the mass as a whole, all around the world. And when it comes to our favorite MI6 agent, James Bond, he has elegantly pulled off both. Both these watchmakers are easily some of the most popular names throughout the history of wristwatches. However, both these exquisite Swiss watchmakers have their differences and also their similarities.

• Their History

Omega under Louis Brandt had already set up its workshop by as early as 1848, under a different name ‘Louis Brandt et fil’. It wasn’t until 1903 when Omega finally took its worldly popular brand name.

Rolex, on the other hand, was set up in London by Hans Wilsdorf, about 50 years later, in 1905. However, it didn’t take him much time to prove himself to be a worthy competitor. And soon, Rolex watches were the first to earn the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision.

And Rolex and Omega watches have been setting benchmarks in watchmaking history since then. We all know how Buzz Aldrin wore his Omega Speedmaster in the celebrated moon landing. Rolex became one of the very first watches to be worn by Mercedes Gleitze when swimming across the English Channel, due to its water resistance – the very first of its kind.

• Brand Recognition and Value

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The Rolex brand name is known to almost every household. Studies show that it is the only brand that has as much popularity to attain 100% international recognition. Omega, on the other hand, is not an obscure name either. However, the brand recall internationally for Omega is 70%, quite lesser than Rolex. It still is the second most popular watch brand globally.

Rolex watches tend to be a little more expensive than Omega watches. While both are high-priced, a vintage Rolex would put a bigger dent in your pocket than a vintage Omega watch. Which when put into terms of their resale value, Rolex does tend to consistently retain their high reselling prices when compared to other brands. However, one who knows their watches, chooses to invest in a particular Omega design. It is possible to be equally fruitful in the future.

While the maximum an Omega has sold in an auction was 1.4 million while for a Rolex, it has been 17.6 million. So the safer option would be a Rolex if you’re prioritizing future resale value.

• Resistance Power

Both Rolex and Omega watches have proven themselves champions when it comes to their weather resistance. Both of them produce mechanical watches, which often is disturbed by the electromagnetic frequency that eventually causes watches to show incorrect time. Both of these brands are certifiably excellent in terms of accuracy and are anti-magnetic in nature. So EMF will not hamper your Rolex or Omega.

When it comes to weather resistance, Rolex set the benchmark with their Oyster, which was the first-ever waterproof and dustproof watch designed. A Rolex has been subjected to several crash tests including one where it has been subjected to an impact 100 times more severe than a car crash test, and it has come out working fine. Rolex watches show great military strength with their dustproof, shockproof, waterproof nature, which you can wear at the deepest of seas and on the tallest of mountains.

Omega watches do not stay behind. The insides of the watches claim to be able to handle temperature extremes within -20°C to +50°C. They too are shock-resistant up to 5000 G, like that of a Rolex. All Omega watches can easily handle a water depth up to 100ft. Their diver’s collection champion, the Seamaster ProProf goes up to an impressive 4000 ft. setting a benchmark for other watchmakers.

Rolex watches, however, take their water resistance to an extensive level. Their watches use a higher grade of materials and are mostly impressively water-resistant. They design excellent diver’s watches and the Rolex Deepsea series claims it can withstand a depth of 12000 ft. withstanding the pressure and the temperature.

• Design and Craftsmanship

No one can beat Omega or Rolex watches regarding precision. Both have certifications under COSC that mark those masters of Chronometer accuracy. Omega still has held on to a few Quartz wristwatches which are known for master accuracy, while Rolex strictly focuses on making mechanical watches. However, their Oysterquartz which they stopped manufacturing in 2001, is surely one of a kind. Rolex watches go further on matters of accuracy, performing several tests of their own further the COSC testing, reaching the peak of precision and accuracy in chronometers.

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On the other hand, as they are so famous, there are many resellers where you can easily find a cheaper preowned Rolex.  But also not many watchmakers will put as much attention, detail, care, and precision into your chronometer as Rolex, not even Omega. Omega watches too are exemplary in detailing and design, and have produced some fantastic timepieces throughout history.

Both of these brands are indeed exceptional, but a Rolex will probably turn more heads. And also win the champion title when it comes to their master craftsmanship. But again, Omega watches are way more progress-oriented than Rolex. Rolex does not solely depend on their nostalgia and antique watches, but their catalog is limited and the most iconic designs do date back to the 20th century.

• Material and Mechanism

Omega watches use industry-standard stainless steel for the making of their watches that is 316L stainless steel. There is no compromise in the making of Omega watches and they use high-quality materials. However what puts Rolex one step forward is their use of 904L Stainless Steel that is better than the industry standard, making it sturdier against corrosion and easier to maintain.

Omega mostly designs Quartz watches, known for their higher accuracy than most mechanical watches. However, they too have their fair share of self-winding mechanical watches (automatic) such as in the Omega constellation series. Rolex on the other hand dedicatedly only to design their movement of mechanical watches with COSC certified precision. A Rolex can keep accurate time for decades to pass.

Verdict

No one can assess which one of the two is better. Because in the end, it is all about one’s preferences. You may one the classic mechanical Rolex feel to surround your wrist, your partner may prefer the iconic Omega. But with either Rolex or Omega, no one can make a wrong choice because both have over and over proved their brilliance and expertise in watchmaking history.