[Watch Culture] Since the birth of the watchmaking industry, new watch materials have constantly emerged under the support of innovative technologies. However, precious metals have always been the firm choice of watch brands. Today, let’s take a look at how the “veteran level” materials in the watchmaking industry have transformed into a variety of unique alloys, giving watches a unique vitality, thanks to the continuous breakthroughs made by Omega’s watchmaking masters.
Bronze Gold – Breaking the Tradition of Precious Metals
Omega’s development of Bronze Gold is truly remarkable! Bronze Gold has allowed Omega to once again create a new type of precious metal in the watchmaking industry. This material is rich in precious metal elements and is inspired by the ancient Greek metallurgical process. It consists of 37.5% gold, 50% copper, and includes materials such as palladium and silver. The unique ratio gives Bronze Gold an elegant appearance and tone, and long-term wear can present a natural and harmonious color-changing effect.
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Omega’s Bronze Gold exhibits a soft pink hue, somewhere between Omega’s unique Moonshine 18K gold and Sedna 18K gold. It also has outstanding corrosion resistance, making it less prone to green oxidation and able to maintain its natural and exquisite color for a long time. For watch enthusiasts who love bronze watches and innovative materials, this material will surely captivate them.
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The Seamaster 300 watch in Bronze Gold is Omega’s first watch created using this material. The 41mm case of the watch is entirely made of Bronze Gold, complemented by a brown ceramic bezel, creating a harmonious combination of materials.
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Omega used conventional bronze (CuSn8 tin bronze) to create the dial of the watch, presenting it in a unique deep brown hue that contrasts with the Bronze Gold case, giving the watch a fascinating vintage charm. The bottom layer of the Bronze Gold dial is covered with a retro-style Super-LumiNova luminous coating, while the upper surface is engraved with hour markers and numerals, paired with Bronze Gold PVD hands. The “sandwich” dial structure appears particularly three-dimensional and vivid.
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The watch is paired with a brown leather strap and equipped with a 9K Bronze Gold buckle. Through the transparent sapphire glass case back, the beautiful movement of the Omega 8912 Master Chronometer can be clearly seen.
Omega Seamaster 300 in Bronze Gold combines the charming material with classic design. For watch enthusiasts who are fond of retro styles and bronze, this watch fulfills all their expectations.
SEDNA18K Gold – Distant Planets Turning into Wrist Elegance
In 2012, Omega developed the luxurious and elegant Sedna18K gold. It made its debut at the 2013 Baselworld watch exhibition when Omega unveiled the first watch made of Sedna18K gold – the Constellation Sedna watch. Sedna gold is a type of 18K rose gold that exhibits a fiery hue, slightly redder than ordinary 18K rose gold. The name of this new alloy comes from the outer solar system body called Sedna, which is considered one of the reddest objects in the solar system.
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Omega’s Sedna gold contains 75% gold, with the addition of a proper proportion of copper to ensure its rose gold color, and the integration of the rare metal palladium ensures its enduring pink hue.
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Omega has used Sedna gold to create multiple exquisite timepieces. This Aqua Terra Shades watch from the Seamaster series in Sedna18K gold combines precious metal with diamonds. It showcases both dazzling beauty and elegant simplicity, adding confident and graceful charm to female wearers.
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This 38mm full gold watch is entirely made of Sedna18K gold. The dial of the watch undergoes sandblasted CVD treatment, presenting a sunray polishing effect. The circular date window made of Sedna18K gold is positioned at 6 o’clock, highlighting a symmetrical aesthetic. The three-dimensional hands and hour markers in the shape of sailboat hulls are also made of Sedna18K gold. The watch is paired with a Sedna18K gold bracelet featuring a butterfly clasp and newly upgraded curved links.
MOONSHINE18K Gold – The Profoundness of the Moon
In 2019, Omega developed a new alloy material called Moonshine18K gold, inspired by the deep moonlight in the dark night sky. Moonshine18K gold contains various precious metals and unique proportions, resulting in a lighter and more elegant tone than traditional yellow 18K gold, and it is more resistant to corrosion, fading less over time, and remains ever fresh.
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In 2019, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing, Omega launched the Supermaster series “Apollo 11” 50th Anniversary Limited Edition watch in Moonshine18K gold, with a limited edition of 1,014 pieces. The case, bracelet, dial, hour, and minute hands of the watch are all made of Moonshine18K gold.
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The case of the watch has a diameter of 42mm and features a classic asymmetrical design. The stepped dial is also entirely made of Moonshine18K gold and goes through vertical satin-brushing. The hour markers are made of exquisitely cut black onyx. The bezel retains the Burgundy red from the commemorative watch of 1969 and is made of zirconium oxide ceramic.
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The decorative inner ring on the back of the watch is made of Moonshine18K gold and undergoes two laser engraving and two PVD color treatments, ultimately presenting the patterns of the Earth and the Moon, symbolizing the Earth’s world map with blue oceans and golden continents. The pattern representing the Moon is made of inlaid meteorite. The size ratio of the Earth and Moon patterns on the back of the watch is true to their real ratio. The ingenuity and exquisite craftsmanship behind this timepiece is truly admirable.
CANOPUS18K Gold – Pure Radiance
In 2015, Omega developed the unique Canopus18K gold, created by combining gold, the rare metals platinum, rhodium, and palladium in a special proportion. Compared to ordinary white 18K gold, Canopus18K gold has a highly bright and pure white hue that does not fade over time.
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This alloy is named after a bright star – Canopus, which is 71 times the size of the sun and emits light that is 10,000 times brighter than the sun. Canopus has always been an important reference coordinate for many space agencies due to its stunning radiance and its position in the sky.
Omega has used Canopus18K gold to create this De Ville Ladymatic watch, which showcases elegance with a 36mm case adorned with 38 long staggered-cut diamonds on both sides. The watch is paired with a deep blue sand goldstone dial made with high-fire enamel craftsmanship and embellished with diamond-polished white 18K gold hands. The Roman numerals on the white 18K gold surface are paved with 262 diamonds. This exquisite timepiece, enhanced by its material and design, becomes eternal.
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These four precious metal materials from Omega showcase the brand’s relentless efforts in creating innovative materials. Combined with exquisite watchmaking craftsmanship, these watches shine brilliantly. Do you know any other unique materials from Omega? Feel free to share your answers in the comments section!
