Whats Up at Omega? | No Show in 2023 | Seamaster Collection Woes 

I don’t understand. People complain that omega has too many choices then complain if they don’t come out with anything new. I think omega has a great line up and just purchase a new Seamaster myself a couple months ago. My opinion. 😀

I have never understood the problem with lots to choose from. Rolex has only one chronograph model. If you want a date function, sorry. Rolex has only automatic movements. If you want a manual wind dress watch, sorry. I like the variety with Omega.

The Omega website is uniquely atrocious. It desperately needs a configurator, especially for highly varied and unwieldy lines like the Aqua Terra. Also, they need to stop listing discontinued models along with current production models.

Omega is killing itself by offering endless variants of the same watches. Giving us the impression they cannot make out which versions are absolutely right for releasing to the market. By doing so Omega apparently hopes that one particular version will finally become popular. Very sad (I own 7 vintage Omega’s)

I spoke with someone at the Omega Boutique in NYC. They received their first AT Shades watches 7 months ago. Terra cotta still sells out before hitting the display case. The delay with its release was due to the unexpected difficulty in producing the new dial process, not due to the date window.

Great video as always Andy. I purchased my AT38mm in terracotta last month, just in time for my 40th. The AD told me it was the first terracotta to arrive at their store

The frustrating thing about Omega is that it has so much potential for incredible releases and it just gives us dial variations…

Thank you for shining a light on the quick release system for the bracelet, that as you said, Omega would be wise to introduce to their models. This would be a simple, yet big selling point for Omega.

Good to see you back Andy. Can really see the passion you have for Omega. Great to see. Agree with getting rid of that leather strand small seconds too.

Very well researched and interesting viewing. Thanks and keep up the good work.

Andy, of course the new colours Aqua Terras are for sale! For several months at my AD at least, from around May/June

Glad for a new video. One of my favorite channels

Would be good to see the quick release on the Moonwatch too. As I’m about to buy one, the challenge has been insuring that the model offered has the newer adjustable bracelet. Interesting video though, as something had been bugging me as to what was going on. Your vid fills in a few gaps 🙏👍

Always a great video, thanks Andy. Omega, mmm, interesting brand huh.

As a budget watch enthusiast I am limited to Certina collection, dreaming about buying Omega Seamaster one day. But I quite dont like what people say about changes…prices go up a lot, ques, sales going down, some speculate Omega is going the Rolex way with false “unavailibility” etc…seems this dream of mine is not getting closer but being just a dream

Nicely outlined, I agree with you on many points.

Excellent analysis and I agree with may of the concerns / issues raised - great video - thank you

Great feedback/analysis, Andy. 💯🎯

Spot on, Andy. I think Omega had serious production issues in '22 - we can only speculate as to why because it was a hard year for manufacturers. But yes, I think they repeatedly fail on the basics that they control - simple, coherent ranges anchored by strong, simple icons. Once those core models are in place Omega could riff away with all the fashion-chasing colours and SE fluff. At the moment it's 'donut design:' all sprinkles and sugar, but no core! The result is a lack of substance and identity (Speedy Pro aside). I'd hazard a guess that most Omega customers can't simply buy their watches on a seasonal whim - "ooh, a blue dial to match my swim shorts..." etc! Yet that's what we get from them, all the time. And as you say, hanging around in every AD window for years. Weird. But, lets see what happens later in the year - a Seamaster dress watch (please!!!) in the run-in to Christmas? And not just Omega, SWATCH needs the Act 3 Blancpain FF that's MIA as well.

Yet to see summer blue at WOS. They have a stand-alone Omega shop at Canary Wharf (bit of a catchment area I’d say) and still nothing.

I agree. Although Omega has released some fantastic designs of late, I have a few similar gripes. After waiting more than 12 months for the Shades AT, I cancelled my order with the AD - the same AD even managed to get me a Pepsi within the same timeframe! Likewise the new Worldtimer is beautiful but, in my opinion, too expensive when comparing with other watches available at a similar price point (e.g. I’m thinking second hand Breguet, Chopard etc.)

never fancy an omega. The case is either too big, too small. bought seamaster, speedmaster but sold them within 6 months. Will never turn unless major change.

Hi Andy. Nice PO. I never should’ve sold mine. 😢 Great video as always, sir!

Time will tell, but I predict that when all the chips are in, Omega is going to really, really wish they never agreed to that whole Moonswatch thing.

No more faux patina. Lume the numerals on PO

As for what i'd like to see Omega do, definitely update the 300 heritage line and bring in a new version of the 165.024, that would be a huge seller and I'd be first in line to buy one.

Great video, keep it up mate :)

I do like Omega, and my take is that they produce great watches for the discreet gentleman. I think Omega should offer their core collection plus a customisation offer. This would allow customers to order a watch to their own specifications for instance I would order a titanium SMP 300 like the NTTD but in darker grade 5 titanium, with a Milanese in same grade 5 titanium with a dial and bezel in the same blue as the 60th Anniversary, a movement with a much larger power reserve than the 55 hours on offer, Spirate and titanium mainplates, bridges, oscillator frame onto which either a tungsten weight would be fixed. Also, I find that there is too much void space across the SMP300 case across its diameter as the caliber is 27.7 mm diameter in a 42 mm case… and that explains the metal spacer in there. Why not a caliber with more power reserve, larger balance wheel, etc… occupying all the space ?

I for one have moved from considering an Omega to buying a Grand Seiko a the Paris flagship boutique, which was a great experience. Omega has incredible tech and history, legendary models such as the Speedmaster, a partnership with the Bond franchise and the Olympics, a gigantic collectors’ base and a friendly CEO (unlike Rolex which appears to be run by robots). I don’t know what more they need, a little « je ne sais quoi » which would make watch buyers giddy again

I would like to add that for Q1 2022, Omega released the re-issue of the CK859 and it sold out. Supposedly after 6 months from the announcement, they stopped production; supposedly only making 2939 pieces. However, a good number of CK859 went on the resale market. Nevertheless, I really like this re-issue concept. I wanna see another re-issue. Re-issue the rectangular CK891. Fingers crossed.

The 300m is in need of a refresh , it’s been in its current form for quite a while. The wart definitely needs to go . They also started to offer zero discounts, whereas before quite decent discounts were available, so you feel like you’re getting much less of a deal. The metallic dials would have been far better in pastel in my opinion , and there’s too much polish on the bracelet for a sports watch , brushed would have been more attractive . Does anyone actually need 600m ? Let alone more , not really . Pro divers use dive computers these days that do the required calculations re timing, gas mixtures etc. A pretty bezel isn’t a critical factor, and yes there are way too many variants in the catalogue

It's a shame Grand Seiko did not sort their issues out and take full advantage of Omega dropping the ball.

Thanks for your videos ! I've positioned myself to buy the planet ocean now or wait till the new one surfaces so I can see it before I get the older one but the wait is killing me lol. You know it's coming just when ?

Since several years I compare the marketing from Omega to other top brands. Why is the webpage so overcrowded? Why do they leave outdated models on the site which even ADs cannot order. There is potential to improve. These oversupply of editions seems to be without a real strategy - actual it seems lack of management at the top. It is like the German car brands some years ago with too many models.

good stuff ... cheers

I'm not interested that much in new models, I'm rather interested in vintage ones. Saw the blue ones at the store here in Geneva. Nice stuff.

They need to up their bracelet game. And stop churning out 100s of confusing variations of everything. But the show stopper is the insane annual increases pushing all of their models into “F that, for an Omega?” Territory.

Good video, agree.

Omega are trying to be Rolex. Trying to make their most sexy models 'hard to get'. Their Speedmaster 'snoopy' hit close to £30,000 on the 'grey market' and is now down to £15,000, if you can sell it (no one is buying). But Omega are not Rolex and probably never will be. I have a local Omega AD and I often pop in for a glance at the watches and a chat. Nice people who work there (shout out to Omega Westfield, Stratford, London). I LOVE vintage Omega. Lovely watches; I recently bought a rare Omega 1970s Speedmaster TV dial watch. I am in love. Amazing watch and looks so cool. And I have other vintage Omega watches. But the modern range is just somehow lacking.... I mostly wear modern watches and I collect vintage (but I wear some vintage watches too), and I keep on looking at Omega's modern range thinking that I might be seduced. Recently, I tried on a 'rose gold' Speedmaster with black dial. My AD got it in and I visited the store to try it on. To say I was underwhelmed is an understatement; I have no idea how they sell any of these watches at close to £40,000. The dial was gorgeous, but the 'rose gold' looked more like dirty bronze. It was not even close to gold. If I am going to pay a stupid amount of money for a gold watch I do at least want it to look like a gold watch! I was amazed at how bad this 'gold' looked 'in the flesh'. It looked like it needed a polish. I have also tried on the latest Speedmaster - various dial options. It is a beautiful watch, just lovely, but at 39/38mm it is in my view a touch too small. Because of the tapered bracelet, it looks smaller on the wrist. Damn. I just loved the blue dial version. But at £8,000 plus it begins to compete with far better watches. Then we have the Aqua Terra range. Horrible watches. Shiny cheap flat dials and horribly shiny cases/bracelets - scratch buckets - they will look knackered within a week. They copied the Rolex OP range but in my view just did it cheaply. Then, as I always do when I am in the Omega AD, I wander over to the Seamaster range. I do actually like the Seamaster 300 series. Lovely watch. But I have a Rolex Seadweller and Submariner (including vintage variations) so why would I bother with an Omega at close to the price? Omega needs to realise that they are not Rolex. Interestingly, I rarely ever see many people in my local Omega AD. The assistants are queuing up to assist you.

Good video as always, I do think the summer blue release has really missed the mark, I've tried all but the Ploprof on and they all feel incredibly average, probably the 41mm AT is the best of the bunch in my opinion. Will you be attending the Redbar Global in Edinburgh in October?

Hi Andy. I am an Omega fan & I completely share your frustration with the brand. To be frank, of late I think they've lost the plot completely. The last time I ventured onto their website & navigated to the Aqua Terra section, I discovered 220 variants of the watch to choose from. Seriously? Today it stands at 136. By the time I scroll halfway down the page I've forgotten which variant it was that I liked & was interested in. The above, added to the increase in prices recently leaves me slowly turning my back on Omega. I wholly agree with you, cut the line down & whilst they're at it, cut down the ridiculous pricing of their straps & as you say make the quick release function standard. I have recently sold my Speedmaster & Aqua Terra. Now I'm left with my Seamaster 300M & a number of vintage models but I'd love to get myself a new model. What I'm not prepared to do is pay retail on the new models I do like. Patience & collecting don't go hand in hand so it's inevitable that the sales money I have burning a hole in my pocket will get spent elsewhere. Dare I say it but a Yachtmaster looks like it's my likely purchase. It almost feels like a revenge purchase, two fingers up to Omega which disappoints me. I've always preferred Omega to Rolex but lately they've really left me disillusioned.

Omega strikes me as a company that doesn't listen to feedback. It doesn't give what customers want. The product designers don't know what people want so they come out with every variation they can think of. Throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks. But then what doesn't sell becomes stale and they are stuck with old stock. Which holds back development of better models (gotta shift the old inventory first). Then another part of Omega is completely self indulgent and full of hubris, always "celebrating" this or that with some gaudy release that no one asked for and no one wants. Omega is in complete disarray and it totally reflects on weak management and poor customer communications. Omega is failing badly.

The main reason I have not yet bought an Omega Aqua Terra is, that there are just to many dial colours to choose from. So I agree, simplify the collection, reduce the variants.

When any Company loses it's way, it loses it's way & we know Omega have near completely lost their way in so many aspects, like ridiculously high pricing & I choose that description carefully & of course that's a big one, particularly in a cost of living crisis across the first world & then there's the almost complete lack of business acumen when it comes to 75th & 175th anniversaries & all Omega do is miserably fail to deliver on ALL levels with these significant anniversaries & last but not least Omega, you're NOT Rolex & NEVER will be.

I love the Omega brand, agree they are completely dropping the ball this year. They are raising prices without adding any value or innovation to their pieces. Can’t change the coat of paint on all your watches and expect customers to be impressed.

It’s a shame what’s going on at Omega. Many people have been in waiting lists for years at this point with little to no information. And yes It’s bloody rude of them! If your on tv or Robert Jan then all watches are available. I personally think that a lot of good production staff have been lost through bad management during covid and Omega is in a pickle. A new head of Omega, Fresh face with a open personality and simple plan to concentrate on the big lines and actually Producing a product would be great.

I’m not a fan of their bracelets and the helium valve just winds me up, no matter how hard I try and just can’t seem to pull the trigger on an Omega

The toxic fanboys really spoil Omega for me. Also despite liking the brand, there are not many pieces I actually like. The PO 6000m Ultradeep is v nice. Its far from a brick, and some people would say that about the 600m so maybe don't throw stones lol. The 'Shades' Aquaterra's will be sitting in shops when they are 'available'. Partly because people are bored waiting, but also just because they are Omega's. A 600m PO with a white dial/electric blue bezel like the 6000m would be something I would be interested in. Why did they not do the Summer Blue PO in 43.5mm?!!!

Are you related to Pat Condell by any chance?

Too many variations has been omegas flaw for year's. Instead of a yet more watches essentially the same but in a bazillion colour combos for such a big anniversary they should have done something really practical special and worty while like increase power reserve to the now standard 70 HR and make straps witt decnet tapers and a decent clasp for all models to rival Rolex easyglide. Omegas is a great brand with great tech but they do seem to want to hinder themselves unnecessarily and their product range is all over the place it's crazy

I don't understand how people can get confused by diversity of selection. Do people go to convenience stores nowadays instead of going to supermarkets?

Well I’m dizzy now…

😅think Omega took a hiatus in 2023 in order to push a big 2024 product line.

Annus horribilis 🤨 Through the grapevine we have all learned some social media announce "Big things" from Omega ? Well, most aficionados know the (upcoming) anniversaries but 2023 is their 175th anniversary year. In fact, 2023 is already unforgettable in terms of "auction results" so whatever they will come up with, won't eclipse that... not even an awesome " 175 years " wrist watch 🤔 Maybe time they got an updated version of their "reference" book available: Omega - A Journey Through Time ( Omega - Voyage à travers le Temps ) ( Omega - Reise durch die Zeit ).

I’ve always been a Omega fan but I honestly think I could do a better job of running Omega myself. They didn’t mess up the Speedmaster apart from the delayed adjustable clasp but Omega seem to has messed up everything else. Ridiculous price increases stale products or awful ones (Olympic Seamaster 🤮)and silly mistakes are all too often. All they have to do is fix the very flawed Seamaster and they will have a hit on their hands. 12mm thick, fix the awful bezel action, fix the awful bracelet and clasp (no one needs a dive extension) go back to a 41mm case and wind down the shiny a bit. It’s that easy. Also put a adjustable clasp on all Aqua Terra’s. It’s a real mess and I wouldn’t buy another Omega until there’s a big shake up. The watch market is pretty much dead in the uk now and it’s mostly the watch industry’s own fault. Constant price increases that outstrip inflation have refocused people’s spending habits while the cost of living has made things even worse. Omega has been increasing it’s prices quicker than most while making a mess of everything so they are getting all they deserve and I think things are about to get even worse. At least they haven’t let their quality slip like Tudor 🤦🏻‍♂️

Far too many lines and offerings and the pricing point turns potential buyers add more funds and opt for Rolex

I do not understand what are you talking about. What are the problems with Omega? My friends, open your eyes. Even this video clearly communicates that Omega is constantly moving forward, releasing model after model. The company does not stand still. Every month or quarter, company releasing some significant new items that make a lot of noise and a lot of discussion. And then you say that Omega has a problem? This is not true imho.

The brand says a lot but doesn't say very much....much ado about nothing....20%-40% depreciation after first couple of years of ownership, fell to #3 behind Cartier....Rolex is still leading Omega by a country mile..gap is widening not narrowing... becoming increasingly irrevelant...

Omega has really been disappointing.

You have no clue the headwinds facing manufacturing nowadays. Keep whining perhaps you should talk to manufacturers and know the supply chain issues for raw materials.