Omega HQ Adventure

I was given the rare opportunity to visit Omega's manufacturing facilities and headquarters in Switzerland.

It was a direct flight from SFO to ZRH. The 11+ hour flight was not so bad considering an ice cream sundae was involved. A car was waiting for me upon arrival and we zipped down Route 1 for about 2 hours to Lake Neuchâtel, where I would be staying. This could have been a great opportunity to brush up on my French, but I, for one, was just too tired and remained silent.

Hotel Palafitte is situated right on Lake Neuchâtel. The rooms are on stilts over the water, like in Bora Bora. The construction was originally completed as part of an architectural showcase for the Expo.02. It was created to demonstrate cutting-edge, eco-friendly hotel technology alongside visionary architecture. Originally intended as a temporary installation lasting only for the 2002 exhibition, it proved so immensely popular that the government granted waivers to keep it open as a permanent luxury retreat. If in Switzerland, this is the place for a peaceful stay! No sounds from neighbors with no shared walls, only the gentle white noise of water.

The first day began with a delightful breakfast at the hotel, featuring fresh scrambled eggs topped with Tête De Moine and then we were off to Biel/Bienne to visit the Omega Factory. I was happy to see my driver once again! We began with some coffee in the lobby before slowly ascending through the production floors. Here in this building, all watches are assembled and tested. Many watches are assembled by several operators, with only one floor dedicated to the full assembly of the 321 Omega movement. Models with this movement are completely assembled by a single watchmaker. Not very many of these watches are produced and are coveted collector's pieces. We would visit this special department later in the day after lunch.

The first floor offered a view of a sealed, environmentally controlled room. Here the oxygen is managed at 15% to prevent fire and preserve all the room's contents. This room featured a fully automated robotic storage system. There were 35,000 bins each containing parts for assembly of various watches. The robotic arm drove around, picking and pulling the next required parts. It was always in motion either gathering needed parts or organizing contents into the most efficient order for future needs. Once the bins were picked, they would be placed onto an exiting conveyor belt to the appropriate department. We were not allowed in this room for obvious reasons, but we caught a glimpse through the thick display window near the elevators. An incredible grid of automation.

At the first station we viewed on the second floor, we saw the watch hands being set. The operator would receive a tray of around 10 watches with the appropriate hands. The operator removed each watch one by one to the workstation, pressing on the hands with precision under a microscope. Across from this operator, there was someone installing the watch into a case using a high tech red rubber ball for the final press and turn. Every operation was done with complete focus, precision, and thorough cleaning. Something I had to remember was that I was observing an assembly line. It felt very different from what I was expecting. Here the operators seemed relaxed. No one looked bored or robotic. The operators still felt very human, moving with motivation and proud intention. I'm sure some of the European labor style plays a part here with many breaks and a more relaxed work environment than we would see in an Asian factory or even an Amazon warehouse in the US. Still, there was something more here. I felt the pride of each operator in action.

Next up was the laser. As cases dropped in, the system fully automated the process: it scanned the watch's barcode and etched the serial number onto the case. The completed part then dropped back into the distribution system. I was hoping to see some laser ablation and decoration, but I'll have to wait another day to visit the dial factory (V2). Moving on the same floor, we saw the massive testing area for METAS. Each completed watch would perform 8 tests over 10 days. As these tests progressed the watch was photographed to mark the hands' positions, guaranteeing accuracy and antimagnetism. If any watch failed, it would go back to the start of the circuit. Antimagnetism is becoming an increasingly necessary feature for a watch. We are now surrounded by so many more magnets than ever. If you even just set your watch on your iPad at your bedside table while you sleep, that is enough magnetism to make your watch run slow. Omega is one of the few mechanical watch makers that offer antimagnetic properties and takes it further by redundant testing to ensure it.

Back to the driver and off to lunch at a rooftop bistro in Biel/Bienne with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Excellent food accompanied by conversation that reflected our visit. In conversation I became aware of what struck me most during my visit so far. It was the operators' work style. So calm, unstressed, and precise. They all have production targets to reach, but none seemed in a rush to meet them. It was as if these operators controlled time.

After lunch we returned to the Omega Factory, this time donning white coats and booties and being blasted for dust. We were now inside the Omega Atelier d'Excellence! Our host was a watchmaker with over 30 years of experience. He showcased an eight-year project: a mechanical minute repeater that chimed. Deep diving into the technical aspects of taking every challenge given, and succeeding. Of course, not always succeeding at first, but never throwing in the towel. Incredible! Two other watchmakers soon joined him to confidentially reveal a new project to us. What I can tell you is that the makers' passion was overflowing. It was like seeing a parent hold their baby for the first time. Every detail is meticulous, with every feature layering upon already astounding feats. This particular piece involved a movement over a century old, found unused. This timepiece began with a full restoration of that movement gaining improvements wherever appropriate, similar to what Omega did with the 321. Then the rest of the design then followed, paying direct homage to the original piece. Every detail is thought out, even the box it is presented in. This acoustic box was created with the very same wood reserved and harvested for the Stradivarius. It turns out Omega also owns some Swiss Spruce acreage, which they used to build the factory. Replanting every tree used. The factory also used the groundwater for all its systems, returning it to the ground at exactly the same temperature it was taken.

Another Operator gave us a live demonstration of a movement assembly and offered a hands-on chance to set in a few parts. I was able to ask her about my personal watch. It is a 321, can we determine who built it? Sure enough, a quick data search revealed the watchmaker was still there, and I had spoken with him earlier that day. Selfies were had!

Not bad for a first day! My head was spinning and my heart felt strong with inspiration. Time for a quick break and off to dinner in a cave stinking of delicious fondue! This company knows how to keep it real.

Woke up feeling refreshed after sleeping over a calm lake. The morning brought bright sun onto a still lake with the snow capped Alps right there in view. Wow! This morning I went with a Benedict just before heading out to Villeret, home to the Omega Assembly line and Laboratoire de Precision. A 35 minute ride with our beloved driver through the winding mountain roads. Seemed like a perfect moto trip (next time). The Omega Assembly line is where all movements are assembled. The movements are then sent to the factory we saw yesterday. This building was a little more plain on the outside and appropriately industrial. Once inside, clean white hallways led to various departments. On the way to the main assembly we saw a department dedicated to making machines that make parts. Yup, Omega even makes its own machines to make their parts. At this point, I guess, why not? Then I noticed a worker not wearing an Omega jacket. This was a new testing site, privately owned but located in Omega. This testing site is like METAS. They can come out and grab a part  without notice to perform full testing for Master Chronometer Certification. This testing differed from the testing we saw at the factory. Here they actually listen to the watch for days and collect a massive constant stream of data for every movement. This is the future of watch testing. 

We were not allowed onto the assembly line floor, but we could view the entirety from a perimeter walkway separated by glass. Here we saw rows of operators organized by movement number, each desk had a particular job. Each operator would perform a variety of jobs, but all within one movement type. Some workstations were manned by robotic arms, these arms would do the screws to exact precision. All other tasks are completed by human hand. I kept watch on a single operator for a while. She attached a coil to the movement under a microscope using solder/glue and a hot iron. In the few minutes I watched, she completed 5 or 6 jobs perfectly. I was informed each operator typically performs any given task for no longer than an hour. This is important for staying sharp and alert. I also noticed that once a part was complete, it was set into a small container and seemed to 'sink' down into the workspace. Here they have a network of translucent tunnels moving the parts along to the next operation, much like a sushi boat. The main network was fully enclosed. When it came time for a part to exit, it would be sent to the workstation where a little door would open and the part would pop up. And, the whole thing was silent! Every tool ran on compressed air. The compressors must be on the roof. There was very little sound for such an immense assembly line. I couldn't believe how peaceful it all was. I took a moment away from all that silence and pondered the view of rolling grassy fields where cows were lazily grazing. I cannot imagine a better assembly line to work at.

It was time for lunch, so we headed back to Biel/Bienne to a quaint riverside restaurant. The building used to be a compass factory and still gets some power from the river. They keep their own bees for honey. We had a special local menu with their organic cider. We spoke of how to keep advertising concepts human and how the Omega brand values inclusion.

After lunch we headed to the Omega Museum. Outside they have a replica lunar lander, and inside a replica lunar rover. The museum requires more time than you think to digest all the incredible timepieces on display. Each has a poignant story in history. You can follow the timeline all the way to the present. It really puts things in perspective. These watches are not just luxury trinkets. Their evolution comes from brilliant moments of ingenuity in times of need. I learned so much about how it all began, why it all began, where it all began, and how it ended up here. That's all a story for another time. I can even tell you how James Bond got involved.

We finished off the day up in Omega HQ with a visit from Raynald Aeschlimann and a private preview of special models to come. I feared this might be like that sales pitch at the end of your timeshare, but it wasn't at all. This was really just an opportunity for them to say, "Hey check out this cool thing we've been working on! What do you think?" I just couldn't get my jaw to drop any lower after these past two days.

Overall, I am amazed by Omega. The brand DNA feels more focused on family, community, inclusivity, and global appreciation than I ever imagined such a large brand would have. From the interactions with the happy, yet focused employees to the generous gesture of hosting me on this adventure. Just incredible!