Omega's timepieces in gold

Whilst there is no consensus on the exact period when gold was discovered, it is clear that the element was already being used as a form of adornment several thousand years before Christ. Gold has been used in jewellery ever since and has become a tradeable commodity with an ever-fluctuating monetary value. Its general appeal is, however, summed up perfectly by the pragmatic approach of the ancient Egyptians, who considered the metal's value as a function of its appealing aesthetics and its scarcity.

Despite gold's undeniably excellent aesthetic properties, its use in jewellery and watches is a result of more practical considerations. Above all, gold is the most malleable and ductile of all metals: it can be hammered out into a sheet no thicker than two thousandths of a millimetre and one gram can be drawn into a wire one kilometre long. Not only is it therefore easy for jewellers and watchmakers to shape the metal, but once ready it does not tarnish, so it is also very easy to polish.

Totally pure - or 24-carat - gold is rarely used in jewellery or watches because it is too soft. For practical reasons, gold is therefore alloyed with other metals, which also allows for different colours of gold. The gold varieties offering greater individuality in the OMEGA collection are traditional yellow gold (an alloy of gold, copper and zinc), red gold (gold and copper) and white gold (gold and nickel or palladium).

A representative collection of OMEGA models illustrates the wide range of designs available in gold for both ladies and gentlemen. The current trend in ladies watches is exemplified by the OMEGA Constellation Quadra models. An evolution of OMEGA's famous Constellation line, the Quadra models in gold retain the characteristic design features of this collection: four claws which clamp the watch's bezel to the case and half-moon facets on the watch case at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. The sparkle of diamonds on the case, bezel and dial is the perfect complement to the warm gold colours. The unique Constellation Quadra “Bangle”, which has no fastening clasp, crosses the boundary between watches and jewellery, allowing the watch to be worn on the wrist like a gold bracelet.

Classic yellow gold is also found in OMEGA's prestige gents De Ville Co-Axial collection, as an ideal way of adding a further cachet to the first watch in the world that is commercially available with a Co-Axial escapement, which offers greater accuracy over time and higher service intervals. Red gold also adds a particularly masculine elegance to the new Speedmaster Broad Arrow collection. Another revolutionary watch, equipped with an exclusive and brand-new column-wheel chronograph mechanism (widely recognised as the distinguishing feature of a superlative chronograph), the Broad Arrow is also available in yellow and white gold. The ultimate touch of elegance in these two collections is provided by the “gold on gold” models, with versions of the striking new Co-Axial bracelet and the new Speedmaster Broad Arrow bracelet in 18-carat gold.

http://www.omegawatches.com

Source: Omega Press Release
December 2001