Frequently asked questions

These are the most reliable ways to recognise an authentic OMEGA timepiece:

Counterfeit products are often found through unreliable internet sites. OMEGA watches purchased from unauthorized sources may be damaged or counterfeited and may not benefit from a warranty. Therefore, you should only buy your OMEGA watch from an OMEGA Boutique or an authorized retailer (see list here). If available in your country, online sales through omegawatches.com is also a guaranteed purchase channel.

Authentic OMEGA timepieces are accompanied by a credit-card size warranty, duly completed with the 8-digit serial number, the watch reference, the purchase date and the retailer's full name and address.

Every authentic OMEGA timepiece features its own unique serial number. For watches of the current collection, your nearest OMEGA Boutique or service centre will be able to tell you if your model corresponds to the serial number found on the watch. Although this does not guarantee the authenticity of the timepiece, it is an important indication. OMEGA calibres cannot be replicated in counterfeit products. Components such as the Co-Axial escapement wheel are truly exclusive to the brand. If the wrong movement is found inside a watch, it will ultimately prove that it is not a real OMEGA.

If the watch is a certified Master Chronometer, it will not be affected by magnetic fields. By placing a magnet close to the timepiece, you can easily detect if it is authentic or not. A Master Chronometer watch will continue functioning normally, while a fake timepiece will stop ticking.

In addition, OMEGA offers the Extract from the Archives and the Certification service. The Extract from the Archives provides detailed information about how a watch left our production facilities and the Certification provides an authenticity expertise of the current state of a timepiece.

The gents' Seamaster Professional watches are available in two sizes: the standard size, with a diameter of 41 mm, and the mid-size, with a diameter of 36.25 mm. The Seamaster watches are equipped with either a self-winding or quartz movement.

2220.80.00: standard size with a self-winding movement
2222.80.00: mid-size with a self-winding movement
2221.80.00: standard size with a quartz movement
2223.80.00: mid-size with a quartz movement

A chronograph is a watch with hands that display hours, minutes and seconds, together with a mechanism for measuring elapsed time by means of a central chronograph hand, which records seconds, and totalisers for the minutes and hours (not mandatory).
A chronometer is a watch whose movement has obtained an official rate certificate from the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) after having passed precision tests in different positions and at different temperatures. These tests are conducted over a 15-day period.

The push buttons serve to start or stop the function, and to reset the chronograph. Generally, the push button at 2 o'clock is to start and stop the chronograph function.

There are some chronographs with mono-pusher as well in the OMEGA collection.

Why a helium escape valve? When carrying out work at great depths, professional divers stay in a diving bell  for  several  days,  breathing  a mixture of gases containing a high proportion of helium. The pressure is gradually increased to reach the pressure at the working depth. The divers, still inside the bell, are then lowered to the working site. They leave the bell to carry out their work.
Once  their  work  is  complete,  they  re-enter  the  bell,  which  is  then raised to the surface. Pressure is then returned to atmospheric levels and this is when the valve must be opened (only for deep-sea dives lasting several days). 
The helium molecules diffuse and penetrate the material of the gaskets. The quantity is sufficient to push out the crystal during the return to  atmospheric  pressure. To  avoid  this,  the  Seamaster  Professional Diver is equipped with a valve specially developed by OMEGA.

The gents' Seamaster Professional watches are available in two sizes: the standard size, with a diameter of 41 mm, and the mid-size, with a diameter of 36.25 mm. The Seamaster watches are equipped with either a self-winding or quartz movement.

2220.80.00: standard size with a self-winding movement
2222.80.00: mid-size with a self-winding movement
2221.80.00: standard size with a quartz movement
2223.80.00: mid-size with a quartz movement

In SPECTRE (2015) James Bond wears two OMEGAs. One is the Seamaster 300 “SPECTRE” Limited Edition, the first time that the watch worn on-screen has been released as a limited edition (7,007 models available). It features a 41 mm stainless steel case with a unique grey and black striped NATO strap. It also has a black ceramic bi-directional bezel ring, built with a 12-hour scale in Liquidmetal™. On the inside, this watch is driven by the highly innovative OMEGA Master Co-Axial calibre 8400, a revolutionary movement that is resistant to magnetism up to 15,000 gauss. The second watch he wears is a Seamaster Aqua Terra 150 M. With a 41.5 mm stainless steel case and a lacquered blue dial, this model also has a stainless steel bracelet and a Master Co-Axial calibre 8500. OMEGA’s entire history with James Bond is available on the OMEGA AND BOND page.

Seamaster 300 "SPECTRE" Limited Edition (Reference 233.32.41.21.01.001)
Seamaster Aqua Terra 150 M (Reference 231.10.42.21.03.004)

Why a helium escape valve? When carrying out work at great depths, professional divers stay in a diving bell  for  several  days,  breathing  a mixture of gases containing a high proportion of helium. The pressure is gradually increased to reach the pressure at the working depth. The divers, still inside the bell, are then lowered to the working site. They leave the bell to carry out their work.
Once  their  work  is  complete,  they  re-enter  the  bell,  which  is  then raised to the surface. Pressure is then returned to atmospheric levels and this is when the valve must be opened (only for deep-sea dives lasting several days). 
The helium molecules diffuse and penetrate the material of the gaskets. The quantity is sufficient to push out the crystal during the return to  atmospheric  pressure. To  avoid  this,  the  Seamaster  Professional Diver is equipped with a valve specially developed by OMEGA.

The Speedmaster Professional is worn by astronauts in outer space. When NASA chose this watch, they requested a hesalite crystal, which "unlike a sapphire crystal" does not break into tiny fragments on impact.This feature is very important for astronauts, as the tiny fragments of a broken sapphire crystal would pose a danger in a zero-gravity environment.

The three following OMEGA Speedmaster references were worn on the moon: ST 105.012, ST 145.012 and ST 105.003. All of them were powered by the legendary 321 calibre.

References ST 105.012 and ST 145.012 were worn on the moon during the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 missions.

Captain Eugene “Gene” Cernan also wore another watch on the moon during the Apollo 17 mission. This timepiece was an earlier NASA-issued Speedmaster carrying reference ST 105.003 and also powered by the calibre 321.

Today the emblematic “Moonwatch” lives on through our current collection of OMEGA Speedmasters which are still manufactured according to the 1965 NASA requirements.

The desired information is read off between the central seconds hand of the chronograph and the tachometer scale, over a maximum duration of 60 seconds.
Example of using the tachymetric scale to calculate the speed of a car:
Record the time the car takes to cover a distance of 1 kilometre. Read off the tachymetric scale the speed indicated by the central seconds hand. In the case it stops at 120, the car is travelling at 120 km/h.

These are the most reliable ways to recognise an authentic OMEGA timepiece:

Counterfeit products are often found through unreliable internet sites. OMEGA watches purchased from unauthorized sources may be damaged or counterfeited and may not benefit from a warranty. Therefore, you should only buy your OMEGA watch from an OMEGA Boutique or an authorized retailer (see list here). If available in your country, online sales through omegawatches.com is also a guaranteed purchase channel.

Authentic OMEGA timepieces are accompanied by a credit-card size warranty, duly completed with the 8-digit serial number, the watch reference, the purchase date and the retailer's full name and address.

Every authentic OMEGA timepiece features its own unique serial number. For watches of the current collection, your nearest OMEGA Boutique or service centre will be able to tell you if your model corresponds to the serial number found on the watch. Although this does not guarantee the authenticity of the timepiece, it is an important indication. OMEGA calibres cannot be replicated in counterfeit products. Components such as the Co-Axial escapement wheel are truly exclusive to the brand. If the wrong movement is found inside a watch, it will ultimately prove that it is not a real OMEGA.

If the watch is a certified Master Chronometer, it will not be affected by magnetic fields. By placing a magnet close to the timepiece, you can easily detect if it is authentic or not. A Master Chronometer watch will continue functioning normally, while a fake timepiece will stop ticking.

In addition, OMEGA offers the Extract from the Archives and the Certification service. The Extract from the Archives provides detailed information about how a watch left our production facilities and the Certification provides an authenticity expertise of the current state of a timepiece.

We sell our OMEGA products only through our network of selected retail partners which, under certain conditions and in addition to their physical retail store, may also sell our products through their websites. We strongly advise you to exercise caution and always to make sure that you are dealing with an authorized OMEGA retailer. Purchasing an OMEGA watch from an unauthorized party is at the buyer's sole risk, particularly in the case of counterfeit, substandard or stolen products.

OMEGA uses the slow and the quick date-change systems:
Slow date-change on calibres 1128, 1150-1-2, 1270, 1379, 1400, 1424, 1426, 1429, 1430, 1432, 1438, 1441, 1449, 1479, 1530, 1532, 1538, 1675, 1866, 2520, 2600, 2628, 3603, 3606.
OMEGA uses the slow date-change system so that the date-change is clearly visible around midnight and that there is no confusion as to the moment of the date-change. The date of the ending day can be seen in full until 11.30 pm. At midnight, the date of the ending day is still entirely visible at the bottom of the date window, with the new date appearing at the top of the window. Then, the new date moves down through the window and the previous day’s date gradually disappears. This operation is completed between 1 and 3 am.
Avoid changing the date manually between 8 pm and 2 am, since this is the period during which the automatic date-change is in operation.
Quick date-change on calibres 1120, 1164, 2300, 2500, 2601, 2610, 2627, 3221, 3301-3, 3304, 3320, 3313, 3330, 3612, 3888, 3890, 8500, 8501, 8521, 8601, 8611
OMEGA uses the quick date-change system, which starts to change the date at about 11.30 pm and comes to its end at 00.10 am. The date of the ending day can be seen in full until 11.50 pm. Between a period of 10 minutes before and after midnight, the calendar jumps and lets appear the date of the next day.
Avoid changing the date manually between 8 pm and 2 am, since this is the period during which the automatic date-change is in operation.

Omega uses this date-change system so that the date-change is clearly visible around midnight and that there is no confusion as to the moment of the date-change.The date of the day that is drawing to a close can be seen in full until 11.45 pm. At midnight, the date of the day drawing to a close is still entirely visible at the bottom of the date window, with the new date appearing at the top of the window. Then, the new date moves down through the window and the previous day's date gradually disappears. This operation is completed by 1.30 am at the latest.Avoid changing the date manually between 8 pm and 2 am, since this is the period during which the automatic date-change is in operation.

Your OMEGA wristwatch was designed to give you years of outstanding timekeeping performance. You may, however, have some questions about its functions or how to make small adjustments. Each Video Manual includes clear explanations provided by an OMEGA watch specialist, along with engaging 3-D animations that make the information even more accessible. It is an attractive, easy-to-use tool that allows you to find exactly the information you need to understand the function of your OMEGA or to make any necessary adjustments. The OMEGA Video Manuals collection will grow as new models are introduced.

At OMEGA we use a unique number to identify each watch, called a Long Product Identification Code, or PIC, which consists of fourteen numbers.

For example, the De Ville Ladymatic OMEGA CO-AXIAL 34 MM has the following PIC or Long Product Identification code: 425(A).65(B).34(C).20(D).63(E).001(F).

Each of these numbered codes is divided into six lettered groups, A through to F, which refer to the specific details of the timepiece.

For instance, the fourteen numbers of the watch we've just mentioned breaks down as follows.

The first three numbers of the code (Group A) refer to the OMEGA line or family of watches. (425= De Ville Ladymatic)

The next two numbers of the code (Group B) refer to the material of the watch head and bracelet or strap. (65 = gold + other material paved for the watch head and assorted metal for the bracelet)

The following two numbers (Group C) reference the diameter and size of the watch. (34 = 34mm)

The eighth and ninth number of the code (Group D) reference the movement and complication, or the calibre that powers the watch. (20 = Mechanical with Co-Axial)

The following two numbers (Group E) reference the color and the material of the dial. (63 = brown + precious stones)

The final three numbers of the fourteen-number code (Group F) refer to the specific sequence number of the watch. (001= first in the sequence).

CODIFICATION TABLE

• AAA.BB.CC.DD.EE.FFFThe first group of digits AAA stands for
  130=Constellation Globemaster; 212=Seamaster Diver 300M; 215= Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M; 220=Seamaster Aqua Terra; 233= Seamaster 300; 304=Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonphase; 311= Speedmaster Moonwatch Co-Axial; 329=Speedmaster Racing; 424=De Ville Prestige; 425=De Ville Ladymatic; 428=De Ville Trésor Quartz; 522=Olympic Games Collection; etc. +22
• AAA.BB.CC.DD.EE.FFF (Watch/Bracelet)The second group of digits BB stands for
  10= stainless steel/assorted metal; 11=stainless steel/other metal; 12=stainless steel/non metal; 25=stainless steel+gold paved/assorted metal; 35=stainless steel+other material paved/assorted metal; 51=gold/other metal;62=gold+other material/non metal; 98=other material paved/non metal; etc. +40
• AAA.BB.CC.DD.EE.FFFThe third group of digits CC stands for
  Size of watch-head, rounded to 2 digits per rules of mathematics.
• AAA.BB.CC.DD.EE.FFFThe fourth group of digits DD stands for
  1st “D”=Type of movement: 0=Mechanical; 1=Mec. Chronometer; 2=Mec. with Co-Axial; 3=Mec. Chronograph; 4=Mec. Chrono Chronometer; 5=Mec. Chrono with Co-Axial; 6=Quartz; 7=Quartz Chronograph
  2nd “D”=Number of complications*: 0=0 complication; 1=1 complication; until 9
  *=Considered as a complication if the watch provides more analog indications than jus hour, minute, second and date in one disc.
  Since the chronograph function is already described in the first digit, it is not considered a complication here.
  Tourbillon and time-zone are considered as complications.
• AAA.BB.CC.DD.EE.FFFThe fifth group of digits EE stands for
  01=black; 02=silver; 03=blue;04=white; 05=white MOP; etc. +22
• AAA.BB.CC.DD.EE.FFFThe last group of digits FFF stands for
  Sequence number of the model

A chronograph is a watch with hands that display hours, minutes and seconds, together with a mechanism for measuring elapsed time by means of a central chronograph hand, which records seconds, and totalisers for the minutes and hours (not mandatory).
A chronometer is a watch whose movement has obtained an official rate certificate from the COSC (Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute) after having passed precision tests in different positions and at different temperatures. These tests are conducted over a 15-day period.

The push buttons serve to start or stop the function, and to reset the chronograph. Generally, the push button at 2 o'clock is to start and stop the chronograph function.

There are some chronographs with mono-pusher as well in the OMEGA collection.

The difference between these two movements is the way in which the watch is wound up. Manual-winding watches must be wound by hand every day, whereas self-winding watches are wound by an internal rotor which responds to wrist movements. Self-winding watches usually have a power reserve of at least 40 hours and therefore have sufficient energy reserves to maintain a stable rate when the watch is not being worn (e.g. overnight).

Yes. All OMEGA watches are tested according to the official NIHS (Industrial Normes of the Swiss Watchmaking Industry) and the internal norms of Swatch Group.

All OMEGA's gold watches (red, orange, white or yellow gold) are made of 18k solid gold.

The materials used by OMEGA are subjected to severe tests in order to avoid this problem. The stainless steel used by OMEGA does contain nickel, but this must first be transferred from the material to the skin before an allergy is triggered. Our stainless steel is so stable that it does not release nickel and is therefore safe for allergy sufferers. The only exception is for those who are hyper-sensitive to stainless steel, i.e. those who cannot cook or eat with stainless steel utensils. In this case, we recommend you buy a watch which is made of titanium.

To earn the title of chronometer, the mechanical movement’s average daily variation in rate must be between -4/+6 seconds per day, or a precision of 99.99%, the highest precision attainable by a mechanical movement. The precision of a mechanical movement depends on the individual habits of the wearer and can therefore vary. A qualified OMEGA watchmaker can adjust the precision of a watch to within the OMEGA tolerances, which are from -1 to +6 seconds per day.

OMEGA uses Super-LumiNova material for the dials and hands of its watches. The Super-LumiNova material takes its luminosity from daylight or any artificial source of light. The watch should therefore be exposed to bright light in order to ensure the luminosity of the dial and hands in the dark. Please note that the intensity and duration of the luminosity may vary depending on the watch model, the colour of the Super-LumiNova material and the time of exposure to the source of light.

The functioning of a self-winding mechanical OMEGA movement depends on the wrist movements of the wearer. When fully wound, the watch will have a power reserve between 44 and 60 hours, depending on the calibre used.
Since the watch's self-winding mechanism is directly linked to the wearer's activity, 10 to 12 hours' wear should be sufficient to generate a power reserve of 20 hours or more, which ensures that the watch will continue to run throughout the night. However, if a watch has not been worn for several days and its power reserve has thus run low, we recommend you wind the watch manually for around 15 rotations of the crown (clockwise) to ensure the best possible rate from the outset.

A watch’s water resistance cannot be permanently guaranteed. It may be affected by the ageing of gaskets or by an accidental shock to one of the components assuring the water resistance such as crown, pushers and crystal.
As stipulated in our service instructions, we recommend you have the water resistance of your OMEGA watch checked once a year by an approved OMEGA service center.
PDF water resistance chart

• Magnetic fields: unless your OMEGA watch is equipped with a Master Co-Axial Chronometer movement, resistant to magnetic fields greater than 1.5 tesla (15,000 gauss), we recommend that you avoid exposing it to powerful magnetic fields such as: loudspeakers, refrigerators, certain handbag clasps, I-pad cases etc.
• Bathing in the sea: always rinse your watch with warm water afterwards. Please note: we recommend that you have the water resistance of your watch checked once a year by an OMEGA authorised service centre.
• Shocks: whether thermal or other, avoid them.
• Crown: screw it in carefully to ensure that no water enters the mechanism.
• Cleaning: for metal bracelets and for all water-resistant cases use a toothbrush with soapy water and a soft cloth for drying.
• Chemical products: avoid direct contact with solvents, detergents, perfumes, cosmetic products etc., since they may damage the bracelet, the case or the gaskets.
• Temperatures: avoid extreme temperatures (above 60C, or 140F, below 0C, or 32F) or extreme temperature changes.

The service frequency depends on the use of the watch and the environment in which it is worn. The water resistance can, for example be affected by ageing of the gaskets or by an accidental shock. Therefore, we recommend that you have the water resistance checked once a year and a complete service performed every 5 to 8 years. Your OMEGA boutique or authorised service centre will be happy to take care of your watch and answer your questions.

For technical and quality reasons, we do not deliver individual spare parts directly to our customers. The OMEGA world service centres are available to all customers and offer a professional service, carried out in accordance with OMEGA's high quality standards.

The majority of watches that do not have a chronometer certificate have average precision tolerances of between -1/+11 seconds per day.
The precision of a mechanical movement depends on the individual habits of the wearer and can therefore vary. A qualified OMEGA watchmaker can adjust the precision of a watch to within the OMEGA tolerances.

All OMEGA quartz movements are produced in accordance with OMEGA’s highly renowned procedures and quality standards. Ambient temperature may affect the precision of quartz movements, which can lead to variations of between -0.5 and +0.7 seconds per day.

New collections housing the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8500/8501 presented at BaselWorld 2011 are equipped with the silicon Si14 balance spring whereas prior collections did not have them.

We often hear from enthusiasts who have questions about the history of their OMEGA watches. We have created a special service for individuals who would like to know more about the production history of their OMEGA products.
The OMEGA Archive link makes it possible for all owners of OMEGA watches made before 2000 to place an order online for an Extract of the Archives relevant to their watch.
This service costs CHF 120.00 per extract or the equivalent in local currency. You may learn more about this service by clicking the following link: OMEGA Watches: Extract of the Archives
The Extract of the Archives is not a Certificate of Authenticity and does not guarantee the authenticity of a watch or its component parts. The Extract of the Archives contains detailed information from our archives which relates to your watch and how it left our facilities in Biel, as well as the exact production date of the watch.

The price of an OMEGA watch can vary depending on many variables such as the materials used, intricate complications or the number of models available. On various international versions of our website, you can now find the price of each watch listed. When looking at a timepiece online, simply click the “Reveal Price” button to see how much it costs in your region. However, if this function is not available to you, we suggest checking with the nearest OMEGA Boutique or with your local officially-authorized OMEGA retailer to ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date price information. You will also receive expert advice and information about the design, materials and technical details for all of the products in our collection.

To wind OMEGA watches automatically, we recommend a winder from our leather accessories collection.

For more information please consult the PDF FAQ-watch_winder_EN.pdf.

OMEGA recently introduced the most efficient anti-magnetic mechanical watch ever produced. It is resistant to magnetic fields greater than 1.5 tesla (15,000 gauss). This innovative technology will forever change the way the watchmaking industry approaches the ever-increasing challenges of magnetic fields. Find out more.

Many models in the OMEGA collection have benefited from this new technology.

These models can be identified in the following ways:

• The dial bears the name "Master Co-Axial Chronometer"
• The bottom of the case is engraved with the inscription "ANTI-MAGNETIC > 15’000 GAUSS"

Yes. OMEGA is a responsible company; socially and environmentally. We are a certified member of the non-profit Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), whose aim is to develop an ethical code of practice throughout the jewellery supply chain, from mines to point-of-sale.

For more information visit: www.responsiblejewellery.com