Rolex and Omega are two of the world’s largest and best-known watch brands. Rolex is synonymous with luxury and prestige, and Omega has long been overshadowed by the perennial top dog from Geneva. Is Rolex’s comparatively better reputation justified? Or is it all just down to the marketing of an elaborately crafted image? 
Omega and Rolex – A Brief Historical Overview
The Bavarian merchant Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis founded what is today the watch giant Rolex in 1905 as a distributor of Swiss movements. The brand name “Rolex” was registered as early as 1908, and Rolex has been headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, since 1919. Rolex presented their most highly regarded watch models to date in the 1940s and 50s, including such legendary timepieces as the Day-Date, Explorer, GMT-Master, and Submariner. To this day, these watches cement Rolex’s image as a manufacturer of sophisticated, functional watches with a luxury character. Hans Wilsdorf, who died in 1960, transferred Rolex to a foundation before his death. As of 2024, the company employed some 14,000 people worldwide. The history of the Omega watch brand dates back to the middle of the 19th century. In 1848, Louis Brandt began manufacturing pocket watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. His sons later moved the company headquarters to Biel, where the company is still based today. The Omega brand name was officially registered in 1903. The name, the last letter of the Greek alphabet, symbolizes perfection and completion – a statement that underscores the high quality of the watches. Like Rolex, Omega also introduced its most notable watch models in the 1950s. The most important timepieces include the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster tool watches presented in 1957, and probably the best-known model, the Speedmaster Professional. Since 1983, Omega has been part of the Swatch Group, together with other well-known brands such as Blancpain, Longines, and Union Glashütte.
Omega vs. Rolex – The Brands’ Most Famous Watches
Submariner, Explorer, or GMT-Master: If you look at the Rolex collection, you’ll quickly realize that almost every model series has been on the market for at least 50 years. It is striking that the individual timepieces have barely changed during this time. The situation is very similar with the Cosmograph Daytona presented in 1963. Although this watch has changed a bit more visually, it is immediately recognizable. The Yacht-Master II and Sky-Dweller models are more recent developments, yet are still largely based on the well-known Rolex classics. You may find this approach boring, but the fact is that Rolex watches are absolute design classics – copied thousands of times, but rarely equaled. Omega takes a slightly different approach. Here, the individual model lines usually branch out into several sub-models, which in turn are offered in countless variations. As of December 2024, there were over 20 different versions of the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch alone. And the Moonwatch series is just one of six Speedmaster collections, which in turn offer a large number of variants. The situation is similar for the Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville collections. The standard models are regularly joined by special editions and limited editions. There are many occasions that warrant a special edition: Olympic Games, anniversaries in connection with the Moon landing, or the latest James Bond movie, to name a few.
Technology & Functionality
Both companies have had a lasting impact on the watch industry. Omega, for example, was one of the very first watch manufacturers to introduce standardized serial production. The Biel/Bienne-based manufacturer also perfected the co-axial escapement developed by George Daniels. This type of escapement is considered to be one of the last genuine new developments in the world of watches. Rolex, on the other hand, has filed countless patents over the years. These include the screw-down winding crown, the central winding rotor (perpetual rotor), and the helium escape valve – three technologies that have become an integral part of the modern watch world. Omega and Rolex are also among the pioneers in the field of water resistance. In the 1920s, Rolex presented the Oyster case, the first ever waterproof wristwatch case. Rolex still uses this design for almost all of its watches today. Omega, on the other hand, is credited with bringing the first commercially available diving watch to the market. The Omega Marine was unveiled in 1932 and boasted water resistance to 135 m (13.5 bar, 443 ft) and a folding clasp with a diving extension. To this day, Rolex and Omega compete to see who takes the gold in terms of water resistance. Both manufacturers have sent prototypes of series models to sea depths of 11,000 m (36,000 ft). The competition culminated in the Sea-Dweller Deepsea Challenge series model presented by Rolex at the end of 2022, which can withstand depths of 11,000 m (110 bar, 36,000 ft). Just a few months later, Omega presented the Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep, which offers a depth rating of 6,000 m (600 bar, 19,700 ft). So far, Rolex has the upper hand in the underwater battle as of 2024. Omega offers an example of innovative material and movement technology with its Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Ultra Light. Not only is the watch case made of titanium, Omega also manufactures the majority of the movement from this material. That’s why the watch weighs just 55 grams, including the textile strap. 
Caliber Technology of Omega and Rolex
Since the turn of the millennium, Rolex has only offered watches with a mechanical drive. Omega also offers watches with quartz calibers, such as the Speedmaster Skywalker X-33, which is part of the official equipment of European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts. As far as mechanical calibers are concerned, both brands are considered extremely reliable. Rolex has its movements certified by the Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) as standard, and then subjects the movements to additional internal tests. If the movement passes, it is awarded the title of “Superlative Chronometer.” This means that the watch deviates from the standard time by no more than ±2 seconds during the day, achieves the specified water resistance and has the promised power reserve. Omega has had its watches certified as Master Chronometers by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) for several years now. This seal of quality is only awarded to watches that do not deviate by more than ±5 seconds per day, have proven their specified water resistance, and can withstand magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss. The Biel/Bienne-based manufacturer also frequently ventures into the world of haute horlogerie, i.e., the fine art of watchmaking. For example, Omega’s range includes watches with an annual calendar, world time display, tourbillon, and skeletonized movements. Rolex, on the other hand, concentrates on the standard functions of a wristwatch such as chronograph, GMT, or day-date display. The only exception at the moment is the Sky-Dweller, which has a special GMT mechanism and an annual calendar.
Quality & Craftsmanship
In terms of the general manufacturing quality of cases, bracelets, and caliber technology, there is little between Rolex and Omega watches upon closer inspection. However, Omega offers far more sophisticated movements in certain models, which you would be looking for in vain at Rolex. Both brands have their strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the day, personal taste should decide whether you opt for a timepiece from the manufacturer in Biel/Bienne or Geneva. However, the reality is somewhat different, as factors such as prestige or value development often play a decisive role when buying a watch. And Rolex is clearly ahead in these areas.
Pricing & Value Retention
While the pricing of the two brands is not so strikingly different, the situation is different when it comes to value retention or appreciation. One example: As of December 2024, Rolex has list price of €9,350 (approx. $9,600) for the Submariner without a date (ref. 124060). The Omega Seamaster 300 (ref. 234.30.41.21.01.001) is comparable in terms of its features and costs €7,700 (approx. $7,900) according to the list price. This is a significant price difference, but if you look at the Chrono24 data for new watches, there is an even more noticeable difference. The Rolex Submariner is priced around €12,000 (approx. $12,400), some €2,650 above its list price. The Omega Seamaster 300, on the other hand, “only” costs around €5,900 (approx. $6,200), which is less than Omega’s MSRP. This makes for a considerable price difference between two diving watches that are very similar and yet so different. With a few exceptions, price differences of this kind run through the entire product catalog of both brands. The reason: Clever marketing and a strict product policy have made the brand with the crown the quasi-standard for luxury watches. There is probably no one in the world who does not associate the term luxury watch with Rolex. This creates an enormously high demand, which Rolex is not willing or able to fully satisfy. High demand coupled with low availability leads to rising prices on the secondary market, which in turn gives many people the impression that Rolex watches must be something special.
Omega vs. Rolex: Our Conclusion
Is Rolex the better choice over Omega? If you see your watch primarily as a prestige object or investment, then the answer is yes. If, on the other hand, you simply want a good watch with a precise movement, first-class workmanship, and a unique design, Omega and Rolex are at least on a par. In many cases, Omega is even the better choice. Ultimately, you should choose the watch that you like best.
