Throwbacks

Is that your Seamaster 1948???  It is absolutely 🎯🎯🎯

Here's something I never realized...  according to the discussion in the link below, 70% of all Omega's sales are in Asia - I would guess, effectively, China.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT-SxNxsfWc&t=424s

Moreover, it's only relatively recently that Omega has begun to release a bunch of vintage-inspired / re-edition models.  I wonder if that coincides with their recent re-focus on the U.S. and Europe, and rebuilding their brand equity with American and European consumers.  (When I talked with folks at the local Omega Boutique, they pointed out that Omega only re-entered the American market with dedicated boutique strategy like 10 years ago or so.)

I know that the plural of anecdote is not data, but still, when I see the kinds of watches that interest my Chinese relatives, invariably it's stuff that looks like this:

For the life of me, I could not in a million years see any of them with any interest whatsoever in a reissue Omega - there just ain't enough bling for Chinese sensibilities.

Given that, my assumption has got to be that all these modern re-issues are directly targeted at the American and European buying audience.  And, as an American consumer, I am gobbling it all up!!!  I LOVE these reissues.

Again, if that's your 1948, kudos to you, sir!!!

I think "vintage" re-releases are the best thing since sliced bread. You get modern materials, combined with classic styling, what more could someone want?  

It also allows people to enjoy a design from years ago, without the pitfalls of buying actual vintage. 

Nice catch, it is a (my) 1948. Very interesting analysis. I wouldn’t have guessed that these reissues are being made specifically to gain market share in the US and Europe. However, it does seem to coincide with Omega’s refocusing on the US market. Thanks for the thoughtful insight.

While I’m sure there are those who feel differently, I absolutely agree with you. There is a definite upside to the ownership experience, when you’re talking about a new timepiece. I am personally more drawn to reimagined classics and homages, as opposed to designs with a lot of fauxtina. Like everything with this hobby, there is certainly room for all of it! 

If that is the case then Omega is reaching out to the younger consumer with the Moonswatch and trying to recapture the successful middle-aged man who has finally come into a little extra money (always the sweet spot in watch sales).  These reissues are going to remind them of their father's or grandfather's watch without the hassle of actually maintaining a vintage watch.  I know very few septuagenarians or octogenarians who have any problem with quartz movements.  They remember well the days of having watches stop for no reason and not feeling as though the constant maintenance was worthwhile. Mechanical watches, oddly, skew younger.

I wonder why Omega shifted its focus Eastward (other than the large untapped market, etc.). Unlike Titoni or Cyma, they were an established brand in the American and European consciousness.

It is nice that they are revisiting their post-war period.  I worry when they get to the 1970's.

Damn!  That is incredibly insightful!  That's right.  These reissues don't mean anything whatsoever to a suddenly rich Chinese person.  But, it does speak to someone my age, in America (or Europe) who admired watches like these when I was young.  Brilliant.

When I was talking with the folks at the boutique, they indicated that sales kept falling for Omega in the U.S. and Europe, but Hong Kong and China kept taking up the slack.  That being the case, the obvious move for Omega was to go to where the sales and sales growth were, and simply stop investing in the shrinking markets.  Funny thing is, now the U.S. is Omega's growth engine and they're opening up more and more boutiques throughout the country.

I love it! It's rare to come by vintage watches of a certain look and feel, so whenever a brand delves into their back catalogue for inspiration, I'm always intrigued. One of the most successful releases of the past 5 years is a throwback to a vintage look (BB58). For other brands like Longines, reissues are now part of the business model. 

I love the 1948, and I’m looking forward to going into the local boutique and seeing the CK 859. I love it. 

The BB58 is an excellent example. Such a great piece. 

I’m curious to see the Ck859 as well. 

I honnestly think not a single person could say anything negative about that particular piece. It is so loyal to the original 😳. It is lovely! The 38mm diameter also appeals to a vast majority.

What do I generally think about "re-issue" watches? If I can find the TRUE Vintage example of a watch, I will always always go Vintage without a shred of a doubt. My personal opinion, wich in no way is right, just an opinion; is that every so called re-issue is just a reproduction of the Real Deal. It has historical lineage because it is produced under license by the same company but it still remains a reproduction.

I love having that TRUE something old on my wrist 😊 .

Re-issues are fantastic imo. As mentioned by other already - vintage styling with modern materials/movements. It may be strange in say, twenty years time when we look back on this period of re-issues and think that was very niche. I wouldn’t crtiticise the companies that produce them (they’re in the business of making money after all) - selling pieces like this allows them to potentially do something innovative in the future.

Your watch is truly stunning btw!! Excellent example of a re-issue done well imo

This. Plain and simple, this statement right here.

If I could start again, right now, this is where I would be residing.

I’ve had some ups and downs, but sometimes you don’t want to spend all your time at your watchmakers discussing the pros and cons of restarting an obscure French movement that only 6 people have heard of and only you care about.

I completely understand the connection to the past some of us feel when wearing a real vintage watch.  I often think about the places they’ve been and stories they could tell. There Is definitely a difference in the experience of owning an actual vintage piece and a reissue or homage. I personally enjoy them both and don’t feel they are mutually exclusive. Mostly I appreciate the passion the users here have for their collections!  

Thank you. You make a good point about innovation. I hope your observation is correct and some of the profits from these pieces will be used to give us something new. While I do really appreciate watches like this one, I certainly don’t want to live in the past. A nice little visit is fine with me. 

I like them, but I wouldn't like to be a designer at one of those watch companies. Basically, they're saying that contemporary designs are crap, so they have no choice but to use historical designs again.

That could be what's happening. It also could be that, as mentioned earlier, they are looking to deepen their penetration of the market in the US and Europe by cashing in on nostalgia. Still, I hope that creating these pieces can be done alongside the creation of some interesting new designs. It's not lost on me that many of the "major" brands have fallen behind some micro brands  on innovating.  

There are only so many originals left with excellent examples going for a small fortune.

 I"m all for repops from the OEM.

I love reissues, and especially this one!  I didn‘t get the chance to purchase one of these first time round so I’m on the lookout for a re-sale - they are understated and yet beautiful.