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

Polished diamond in tweezers
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report Says

The two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.

Wolf x Marla Aaron Some of the Things Box
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your Things

The “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything Box” designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.

The Retail Smiths Principal Partner Peter Smith
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?

It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Coleman Clark and Mitchell Clark
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell Clark

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Manual Marcial de Gomar
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud at South Coast Plaza
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3

Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference 2026 Graphic
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 Program

This year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.

Lugano Diamonds Greenwich Connecticut store
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano Jewelry

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

Stephanie Gottlieb Wholesale Lab-Grown Collection
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection Wholesale

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Sean Dunn
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean Dunn

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Bulgari pink diamond
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' Diamond

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

Greenwich St. Jewelers Island Jewel candle
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like Home

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.

TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner

The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Stock image of a person holding holidays bags
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday Season

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

Elisa Solomon x Serendipity 3 Frozen Hot Chocolate Charm
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ Charm

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

8 carat fancy blue diamond
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

Stock image of paper money and coins
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

Brent Neale Back to Basics Collection Pink Garnet Capsule
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

Ethical Gem Fair Brooklyn
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to Brooklyn

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian Overall Design Winner
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design Contest

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

Reba McEntire belt buckle
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s Auctions

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

overnght sb 1026.png
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling Experience

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The entrance to The Plumb Club pavilion at JCK Las Vegas
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures Mount

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Woman wearing Blue Nile Royal Asscher jewelry
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond Beauty

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

Audemars Piguet Risoud Eclipse Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

×

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