Watches

Take a Look Inside Omega’s New Museum in Switzerland

WatchesOct 25, 2019

Take a Look Inside Omega’s New Museum in Switzerland

The new space in Biel/Bienne is dedicated to telling the watch brand's story. 

20191022_Omega-header.jpg
Omega’s new museum outlines the watch brand’s history with immersive movies, showcases and interactive experiences.

Biel/Bienne, Switzerland—Omega has a new home in Switzerland dedicated to telling its story.

The brand opened its original museum in 1983, making it the first to be dedicated to a single Swiss watchmaker, but “given the length and depth of the brand’s legacy,” a new museum was eventually required, the brand said in an announcement.

Now, it has debuted a new museum at “La Cite du Temps,” the Swatch Group/Omega headquarters located in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland that recently opened after five years of construction.

Located in a light-filled building designed by well-known Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, the new museum tells the brand’s story through immersive movies, showcases and interactive experiences.

The visit starts with a walk across the world—a large world map on the floor embedded with digital screens feature the current times at locations across the globe.

Before moving on, guests take a trip back in time with Omega’s “History of Time” immersive, 360-degree video that tracks the path of humankind’s journey to precision, from the first clocks to modern movements.

To celebrate its status as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, visitors can channel their inner Olympian on a 9-meter running track equipped with authentic timekeeping technology like starting blocks and red electronic starting pistol.

Guests who take part also will receive a print-out of their photo finish, captured by the brand’s Scan’O’Vision Myria camera, which can record up to 10,000 digital images a second.

The new museum also has a “Her Time” exhibition, detailing the evolution of the brand’s watches for women, from early Lépine pendants and the iconic Ladymatic to “secret jewelry watches” and its most recent creations.

Next in line for visitors is a spot for them to explore Omega’s long connection with space exploration and moon landings.




The area, seen above, features a lunar surface and Lunar Rover, as well as videos, photos, NASA technology and the many versions of Omega’s “Moonwatch;” qualified by NASA for space flight in 1965, the Speedmaster was the fist watch worn on the moon.

It also highlights other exciting adventures in which the brand has played a part: on the wrist of 007.

Omega has been present in every James Bond mission since 1995’s “GoldenEye,” not only complementing the spy’s style but also helping him with a number of fictional life-saving functions.

Visitors also can journey into the movement of a watch with a giant walk-in Speedmaster
that regularly screens an animated film delving into the inner workings of the brand’s famed Co-Axial Escapement.

To top things off, Omega offers a look at its long history through a 50-meter steel bracelet display featuring 64 windows.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions in the new museum, the venue also set aside a place to display Omega’s latest creations and achievements.

Coinciding with the opening of the new museum, Omega created a dedicated Instagram account, @OmegaMuseum, and hashtag, #OmegaMuseum.

It also upgraded its “Extract from the Archives” service—in which a customer sends them the reference and serial number of their watch and Omega sends back information they have on said watch—which is now available online.

WATCH: A Sneak Peek of Omega’s New Museum
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Marie Lichtenberg emerald and diamond locket on the 18-karat gold “Rosa” chain
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a Wrap

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

Tiffany & Co. Pop Up at U.S. Open
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US Open

The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

Bellman’s Jewelers The Truthful Jeweler Alex Bellman
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes Off

The New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”

Stock image of police cars with lights flashing
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, Robbed

The latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.

Oris New York Harbor Limited Edition II Watch
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster Restoration

The new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.

Jewelers for Children logo
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ Challenge

Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

Lulo Rose pink diamond
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner Lucapa

The investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.

National Jeweler columnist and jewelry sales expert Peter Smith
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry Retail

Smith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.

Fake Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra earrings
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ Earrings

The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

MJSA Logo
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally Recognized

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Masaki Obu
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division Manager

Casio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.

Michael Barabash and husband Raymond Cuadrado
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58

Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

John Hardy Dot Coil Necklace and Dot Hoop Earrings
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on Point

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

IJO Vendor of the Year Allison-Kaufman
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the Year

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

Image of Winona Ryder and Iman from Pandora’s Be Love marketing campaign
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift Etho Maria ruby earrings The Life of a Showgirl TS12
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Audemars Piguet Starwheel Watch
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in Manufacturer

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing Director

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy