Caveman's Watch Forum


Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee - A visit to Musée Omega (Swiss trip 2011)

June 29, 2011 05:38PM

Sure I mentioned the visit to the museum in an earlier post. But that one lone photo didn't even scratch the surface, so I thought I've give a slightly more extensive look. Photo by Ricky Lee

A few words first, though.

I must apologize for the less-than-stellar quality of the photos. They're very much QnD.. shooting through the display case glass, there's not much choice in the matter. Photo by Ricky Lee Even so, I discarded perhaps 15% of the 200+ photos I shot, as they were simply way too grotty to fool with. Out-of-focus, blinding reflections from the flash, etc.

Then, too, you'll find that these photos are smaller than the ones I usually post. But with 177 photos, I'm thinkin' it's gonna take a while to load this post. Photo by Ricky Lee Nor are there as many choices in hi-res links as I usually provide. To partially compensate for that I've left most of them in their native 7.1 megapixel (3072 x 2304) format, rather then resize them to 3.2 megapixels (2048 x 1536) as I customarily do.

I won't even attempt to comment on every photo, but I will say a word or two where I think it's beneficial. But enough disclaiming! So, with those caveats, let's get On With The Show...


Photo by Ricky Lee
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The museum is located right across the street from Omega's corporate headquarters in Biel/Bienne. That's it above, with the museum below.

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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They hit you with the "Space Watch" thang soon as ye walk in the door. Photo by Ricky Lee

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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The receptionist was very helpful, and the option of a full-blown Audio Tour in your choice of languages is a nice touch! Photo by Ricky Lee

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Company founder Louis Brandt below, and his actual workbench above.

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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The showcase, above, contains an example of pretty much every movement type that Omega's ever made!

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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And, hey, here's something you don't see every day.. a real live Master Watchmaker Behind Glass!

His sole job is to restore and maintain pieces for the museum, and they say that he can fabricate any part for any Omega ever made. (!) I see no reason to doubt it...


Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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One surprise, for me, was the the number of and relative focus on diver's watches was not as great as I anticipated. Obviously they were represented, just not as heavily as I expected.

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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OTOH, some watches were.. Ahem! A little more "out there" than I expected. Photo by Ricky Lee

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Plenty of mouth-watering vintage chronographs...

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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The "Space Watch" theme was quite heavily emphasized.

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Likewise heavily emphasized was Omega's long association with the Olympics.

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Omega's full Contemporary lineup was on display as well.

Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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Photo by Ricky Lee
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There's nothing to give you scale there, but that's a whacking great wall clock bigger'n a dinner plate.

This next shot is especially for Bro. Chris Moy...


Photo by Ricky Lee
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Sure that's the Official Omega Toilet! Photo by Ricky Lee

And, no, I don't feel a bit guilty about wearing a Seiko to the Omega Museum.. Photo by Ricky Lee

Well, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed the photos, and if you're ever in the neighborhood I highly recommend that you visit the museum.

Photo by Ricky Lee

-Ricky


Photo by Ricky Lee
"A man, like a watch, is to be valued for his manner of going." - William Penn
Messages In This Thread

Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee - A visit to Musée Omega (Swiss trip 2011) Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee

Ricky Lee 348 June 29, 2011 05:38PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Why does George Clooney look like a borg? Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

DRFP 94 June 29, 2011 05:55PM

Photo by Ricky Lee WowEEE! Stunning, just stunning. One of the most impressive things to me was>>>
a bit surprising. That workbench is beautiful! AWESOME post!

DJM 96 June 29, 2011 06:16PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Reading the subsequent posts in this thread made me realize something.
I did NOT adequately recognize the work that went into this post, nor did I adequately express my appreciation. Kudos to you sir, and kudos again! Photo by Ricky Lee

DJM 87 June 29, 2011 09:40PM

Photo by Ricky Lee FANTASTIC, that's quite a company history. Thanks for the tour. Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

Robmks 99 June 29, 2011 06:51PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Seriously Thank you it was awesome to see so many omegas !
That I can't and some never have! Really cool!

DRFP 98 June 29, 2011 06:55PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Quite the tour, Monsignor!!! Thanks!! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

dano0 89 June 29, 2011 06:56PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Thanks, Ricky!
I know that was a helluva lot of work, and we appreciate it.

Les 112 June 29, 2011 07:26PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Re: I know that was a helluva lot of work, and we appreciate it.
Thanks Bro. Les. Photo by Ricky Lee

I admit that it did take 4 or 5 sessions spread over 3 days. Photo by Ricky Lee

But three of those were lunch hours at work, so they don't count. Photo by Ricky Lee

Ricky Lee 79 June 30, 2011 01:04PM

Photo by Ricky Lee "I highly recommend that you visit the museum"- I sorta feel like I just did!
Thanks for all the photos, this really is a post I'll come back to (and I'm sure it was a lot of work).

It's on the edge of overwhelming really- I wonder what the watchmaker wears?


And who knew that omega's went to space wink

Cleans Up 90 June 29, 2011 09:13PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Re: ..I wonder what the watchmaker wears?
See, great minds do think alike. Photo by Ricky Lee

I wondered, too, but couldn't ever get a clear look at his watch. And I'm sure the poor guy already feels a bit like a zoo exhibit, so I was loathe to rap on the glass and mime " Photo by Ricky Lee "... Photo by Ricky Lee

Quote
Cleans Up
And who knew that omega's went to space Photo by Ricky Lee
I know! Photo by Ricky Lee You coulda knocked me over with a feather! Photo by Ricky Lee

Ricky Lee 86 June 30, 2011 01:09PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky LeePhoto by Ricky LeeWow! Now I want at least a dozen Omegas! Photo by Ricky Lee Thanks for that!Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

itschris 74 June 29, 2011 09:50PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee Ricky. What a treat! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

Adam in NYC 94 June 29, 2011 11:03PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee Ricky. Fantastic Tour and Pictures. Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

DanB 104 June 29, 2011 11:25PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Stunning post. Astonishing company. (n/t)

AlbertaTime 93 June 29, 2011 11:59PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee for the tour and Photo by Ricky Lee on the last shot Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

Micha 88 June 30, 2011 12:21AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Nice! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

Catalin 108 June 30, 2011 03:06AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Did you stop at the gift shop on the way out? Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

regnaD kciN 87 June 30, 2011 04:57AM

Photo by Ricky Lee They DID have a gift shop, but no watches there. Photo by Ricky Lee
Caps, straps, books, umbrellas, knickknacks of all sorts, even Fragrances By Omega for him & her. But not a single watch to be seen. Photo by Ricky Lee

Ricky Lee 98 June 30, 2011 01:14PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Whoa Nellie !!! >>> Absolutely Amamzing! Photo by Ricky Lee for your big efforts for us! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

Riddim Driven 92 June 30, 2011 05:43AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Ricky, this is one of the your best topics, thank you, sir!!!Photo by Ricky LeePhoto by Ricky LeeThumbs up!subj ectsmiley65! (n/t)

IF 93 June 30, 2011 07:39AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Great post, thanks!
Looks like you spent quite a bit of time there, and I don't blame ya!

Dre 105 June 30, 2011 08:34AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Re: Looks like you spent quite a bit of time there.. Photo by Ricky Lee
Omega says that the average time to tour the museum is 90 minutes, and they recommend that you not attempt it unless you can spare an hour. I spent about 2-½ hours there. Photo by Ricky Lee

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Dre
..and I don't blame ya!
Mind you, that was in-and-out compared to the roughly five hours I invested in the Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle. Photo by Ricky Lee

And, yes, there will be a Photo by Ricky Lee post about that.. sooner or later. Photo by Ricky Lee

Ricky Lee 92 July 01, 2011 09:14AM

Photo by Ricky Lee WHAT an amazing post!! Thank you so much! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

nkwatchy 89 June 30, 2011 08:57AM

Photo by Ricky Lee I'm dizzy! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

MCV 89 June 30, 2011 10:50AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Photo by Ricky Lee for a great tour Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

Jan 94 June 30, 2011 01:10PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Awesome! I stupidly sold an gorgeous Omega Quartz Seamaster back
in 1988 and have never seen one like it since. I was hoping one like it would appear in the collection - but no such luck.

johnizy 89 June 30, 2011 03:47PM

Photo by Ricky Lee Re: ..in 1988 and have never seen one like it since. I was hoping one like it would appear.. Photo by Ricky Lee
Here are a few..

Photo by Chuck Maddox

Stock photo

Stock photo

Stock photo

Any of those close? Wink

Ricky Lee 87 July 01, 2011 10:00AM

Photo by Ricky Lee Might be a lot of awesome watches, but definitely an awesome post! Photo by Ricky Lee (n/t)

SAH407 89 June 30, 2011 05:00PM

Photo by Ricky Lee You know, that was just to obvious for me to think of! Photo by Ricky Lee
But I really enjoyed your photo series of the trip to the Omega museum! BTW, ever been tot a Japanese watch museum?

James T. Kirk© 60 January 15, 2012 10:27AM

Part One - Prequel Part Ten - Travel Day, Giant Swiss Knife
Part Two - Arrival / Fribourg Part Eleven - More Window Shopping
Part Three - Biel / Bienne Part Twelve - Swiss vehicles
Part Four - Window Shopping Part Thirteen - Homeward Bound
Part Five - Neuchatel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Jura mountains Part Fourteen - Bumotec and Hysek tours
Part Six - Swiss Cows, Misc. Part Fifteen - Musée Omega
Part Seven - Starting Gun Part Sixteen - Musée d'Horlogerie du Locle
Part Eight - Side trip Part Seventeen - Martin and Ueli do Memphis
Part Nine - M-Z factory, Patek < Return to Watch Blog Index >

< Next installment is HERE >