Omega just announced the availability of the world’s first Master Chronometer, the Omega Globemaster. First premiered at Baselworld earlier this year, the watch is now accessible to collectors and luxury lovers hoping to own a piece of horological history. The brand partnered with the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) in 2014 to create a new standard of measurement for timepieces “whereby precision and performance would be tested and approved like never before.” Earlier this year, Omega became the first brand to obtain the new, and highly-coveted Master Chronometer certification. And now the watch is available to own.
Last week, a press conference was held at Omega’s headquarters in Biel, Switzerland to make the announcement. Representatives from both companies—Swatch Group’s CEO Nick Hayek, Director of METAS Dr. Christian Bock, President of Omega Stephen Urquhart, and Omega's Vice President of Production and Procurement Andreas Hobmeier—took to the stage to share their accomplishment with the world. The watch not only represents a landmark occasion for the brand, but sets a new standard and rating system within the industry.
“We all know about the importance of beautiful products, history and innovation. But one other thing is so important. That’s trust. Trust for our consumers,” Hayek explained at the event. “By working with an independent organization such as METAS, we can be transparent for the consumer, and reconfirm that the Swiss watch industry is the leader in precision and innovation.”
With the new Master Chronometer certification through METAS, Swiss watchmakers can now achieve certification through the industry-standard COSC test and the new METAS test. The double certification gives labels a new way to “demonstrate the quality and timekeeping performance of their watches to a greater extent than has previously been possible.” The new METAS Master Chronometer certification does eight tests over 10 days and watches must pass a number of real-life conditions including exposure to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss, and extremes climates under water or at high altitudes.
The Globemaster Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer 39 mm is available in two versions—the steel and blue edition and 18-karat Sedna gold edition. The first has an Omega 8900 caliber, a rhodium-plated Constellation star and a blue leather strap. The second features an Omega 8901 caliber, a gold Constellation star and a brown leather strap. Both include fluted bezels, Super-LumiNova indexes, a"Pie Pan" dial inspired by the first 1952 Constellation model and a Central Observatory medallion on the sapphire crystal case back.
The timepieces are available exclusively through Omega boutiques. Priced from $7,700 to $21,600.
