Rolex vs. Omega

[NIHO]

I own both Rolex and Omega. My personal preference is Rolex by far. But I also recognize that the difference between a modern SUB vs. Sea Master is mostly in prestige. They are both excellently crafted mass produced luxury sports watches. The crazy thing is I went to the South Coast Plaza, waited in line to enter the Rolex boutique, and they had zero watches for sale. Next door, I walked into the Omega boutique and they had easily over a hundred watches, duplicates of popular models. How is the demand so different? What is Omega failing to do here? Is this all Insta-Hype?
PS-wore this bad boy that day. It has grown on me, no pun intended.

[henrylee]

I have the same problem. 9 out of 10 times I grab a Rolex over my omega.

[dpt.calvin]

Let’s start with why you prefer Rolex over Omega by far? Maybe you’ll answer your own question.

[Polar Bear]

Simply put, they Omega make more watches than Rolex
Jump on the Omega website and you'll see how deep their current offerings are
Omega will make a watch for everyone who wants one (provided they dont want a Snoopy or 321 Speedmaster)

[donq]

Rolex makes more watches than Omega as far as I can find out.

They control a larger segment of the market and generate a lot more income.

It’s all about demand. More people want Rolex than Omega. I’m not sure why but there it is.

[grimps]

I've owned a few Omegas and they're great watches although I don't think the bracelets are anywhere near as good as Rolex.
If they slimmed down the number of models they produced they it might become a little bit more exclusive.
I'd say until the 80s Omega were on par with Rolex

[aceofangel]

Omega has too many variations of its core design. It seems to be a Swatch trait. Blancpain also has the same problem.

[*M5]

Variations are fine as you're trying to cover more ground and give people choices but I can't get over the sizes and bracelets.

Too bulky and just not the same attention to detail in my eyes as Rolex.

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[RolexSimon]

Rolex > Omega in 2020.

[Manamana]

Originally Posted by NIHO

I own both Rolex and Omega. My personal preference is Rolex by far. But I also recognize that the difference between a modern SUB vs. Sea Master is mostly in prestige. They are both excellently crafted mass produced luxury sports watches. The crazy thing is I went to the South Coast Plaza, waited in line to enter the Rolex boutique, and they had zero watches for sale. Next door, I walked into the Omega boutique and they had easily over a hundred watches, duplicates of popular models. How is the demand so different? What is Omega failing to do here? Is this all Insta-Hype?
PS-wore this bad boy that day. It has grown on me, no pun intended.

Ya but you are comparing the best Diver from Rolex to Omega, of course you'll pick Rolex. SD43 is the best diver there is, when it fits on you correctly you will have difficulty wearing something else. I think the No Time To Die Omega is beautiful and solid though.

[OrangeSport]

If you loom back Omega has often (usually?) been ahead of Rolex in terms of design, function and technology. But Rolex's marketing has been more effective.

Until the recently situation you could walk into a shop and buy either brand easily, often with a discount.

Omega isn't doing anything wrong, it's just Rolex demand is sky-high at the moment.

[Fleetlord]

Omega's problems in the market are:

1) Overproduction. Too many watches and too many of each version. There are so many aqua terra versions on the website that I gave up trying to count them all. That's just one reference class. Add in the other Seamasters and don't even start on the Speedmasters...it's just unreal how many they crank out.

2) Short design life cycles. They just keep changing and changing and changing models. The exception being the Speedmaster Pro (only recently getting a major upgrade after many years), which for some reason is their most popular reference...I wonder why?

[Dr. T]

Completely agree with Fleetlord.

Other issues are:

3. Design in some cases. I just don't think they spend as much time thinking about the proportions, dial layout etc. as Rolex. With a few exceptions, I think Rolex design language is better and more classic (case thickness, lug to lug length, dial size). I actually generally prefer the design of many seikos over Omega divers (obviously different price point and build quality for most models).

4. Bracelets and clasps. Yeah, bit controversial, I don't think the case integration of the bracelet is normally that great, and I don't like the push button clasp much. One of the reasons I sold my old SeaMaster a while ago.

Still a solid brand, but I prefer Rolex

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Omega's problems in the market are:

1) Overproduction. Too many watches and too many of each version. There are so many aqua terra versions on the website that I gave up trying to count them all. That's just one reference class. Add in the other Seamasters and don't even start on the Speedmasters...it's just unreal how many they crank out.

2) Short design life cycles. They just keep changing and changing and changing models. The exception being the Speedmaster Pro (only recently getting a major upgrade after many years), which for some reason is their most popular reference...I wonder why?

[Jojomojo]

I find Omega is the true SPORTS watch. They're very bulky, heavier and looks much more sporty than Rolex.
Rolex is the LUXURY-SPORTS watch, which is where u wanna be if u're in the luxury industry.

[Spurman]

Well. Almost every kid is "brainwashed" into rolex superiority. Myself included. Lol. As yes rolex makes excellent products.

Omega just missing that spark. And prob only the speedie is iconic.

Brand has been itched to every boys girls mind since birth. Hail rolex.

[Little machines]

I do like the SD43 on your wrist ! Omega has a very good product for the value but Rolex has the marketing genius and quality behind their watches.

[Toproll85]

We are in the subjective, the tastes, the colors, the aura of the brand, the spirit, the resale value, what makes someone prefer one or the other.
'Cause yes, the last Diver's300m or a Seamaster's are well worth a Sub...
But when the human has convinced himself, it is very difficult to open up.

There is even better at almost the same price (after discount or on the gray market), look at the Sea Q range from Glashütte for example (more upscale in the finishes and much more handmade)...so proof that people are more concerned about this subjective, appearance and image than the best value for money.

In summary, there is no one that is better than the other.

They are two industrial behemoths with objectively identical quality and design standards !

[hkgary33]

I own 2 Rolex (DJ 36, OP 36) so far and did not own an Omega, but did try on some Omega sports models (Seamaster Diver 300, Aqua Terra) on wrists in their boutiques.

My feelings and impression of Omega watches are: They are also well crafted timepieces, the executions of the watches look great; though I found the bracelets too bulky and not tapered just like Rolex. Totally agree with what Jojomojo said, it just look a bit heavier look for Omega.

And I just don't quite get the reasons of some of the designs of Omega watches.
For example, their Seamaster Diver 300m is an excellent looking diver watch. But since it's positioned as a diver watch, I don't quite understand why some parts of the bracelets are polished; while comparing with Rolex Submariner (SS), all parts of the bracelets are brushed as it is supposed to be a diver watch/tool watch. I also don't quite understand why they produced a Chronograph version in the Diver 300m, why need this?

As for Rolex, my impression is that each model is positioned optimally and distinguishly. I won't find any redundant designs in the timepieces; and each part of the design are coherent with the overall looks. They did not put too much fancy things into each model, but they just excel every part of it (the dial, hands, bracelets, clasps etc).
I am still fancinated how the small design differences (e.g. bevel edges of the indices, the font size of 'Oyster Perpetual' wordings in the dial, the different finishing of the bracelets) between my OP 36 and DJ 36 gave me a total different feelings.

[HogwldFLTR]

Simply put, I sold all my Omegas and likely will never buy another one.

[amanbra]

I prefer omega over everything Rolex does except the actual watch sizes and design.

Omega took a deposit for a 321 speedy and then delivered it simple. Let me take home the watch stickered. When i wrecked one of my links sizing it myself they gave me a free link!!!!… if i want a new bracelet they will sell me one. If any want to try put a different bracelet on, they don’t care.

Just took a watch in for service, it was fixed price and all the old parts were returned…

Rolex do none of this… but they make watches that generally fit my wrist better… i much prefer omega’s ownership experience.

[subprimero]

In today's market as a collector, not an investor, I would be collecting Omega. Omega produces a lot of interesting designs that are well made, available and reasonably priced.

[Kratonwatch]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Omega's problems in the market are:

1) Overproduction. Too many watches and too many of each version. There are so many aqua terra versions on the website that I gave up trying to count them all. That's just one reference class. Add in the other Seamasters and don't even start on the Speedmasters...it's just unreal how many they crank out.

2) Short design life cycles. They just keep changing and changing and changing models. The exception being the Speedmaster Pro (only recently getting a major upgrade after many years), which for some reason is their most popular reference...I wonder why?

I’m glad someone pointed this out. I think omega has WAYYY too many variations of watches, so very few feel special. IMO

[1William]

I own several of both Omega and Rolex watches. My Speedmaster 1861 and 3861 get a lot of wrist time and I actually prefer wearing them to my SS Daytona-C's. The Rolex Submariner is my ultimate watch and it is where I started 30 years ago so it has me captivated for life. I do not see it as an either/or for the watches, I see it as a in addition to my Omega/Rolex.

[rmwill]

Current Seamasters are ugly. The deep discounts available on them does not make an ugly watch desirable.

[estrangable]

just look at the omega - all the "Sides of the moon" watch ... how many sides are there exactly... u have dark, white, red, pink, grey ... jesus, u name it, they probably will release it in the future... within the dark side of the moon speedy, u have all sorts of dial variation...its just a classic case of milking it till it's dry...

[1665fan]

Once you have a speedy pro or 2 there is no reason for anymore omegas…… speedy pro or nothing…..

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Manamana

Ya but you are comparing the best Diver from Rolex to Omega, of course you'll pick Rolex. SD43 is the best diver there is, when it fits on you correctly you will have difficulty wearing something else. I think the No Time To Die Omega is beautiful and solid though.

Sd43 without a doubt the best diver in my mind :)

[pj1369]

I agree with a lot of sentiments.

Omega tech and ownership experience is second to none.

Rolex brand, fit/feel, and overall design is second to none.

They both have incredible robustness, especially relative to other lux brands.

And, while I own 4 Rolexes, I did pick up my first Omega NTTD Seamaster, and I continue to love it - thinner case for omega, amazing bracelet, and simple enduring design. Not the case imo for many of the other seamasters.


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[kearez]

I think a lot of it comes down to marketing. Rolex is perceived has a level above Omega. I’m sure if you gave someone a Planet Ocean and Sub and asked to pick the higher value, they would go for the planet ocean. Both ceramic, dates and planet ocean has a display case back.

I think too many people write off omega. There boutique experience is miles above Rolex, plus having actual inventory to try on helps. This is all coming from a Rolex owner who is considering an Omega next.

[duquephart]

Anyone interested in DJ41 would do well to check out the Globemaster. Every bit as well made/robust as the DJ. Much better looking/more interesting. Blows Rolex away as far as accuracy. Available. No brainer.