Watch Battle: Omega vs Rolex

With its sporty chronographs, professional dive watches, and co-axial movements, Omega is one of the leading Swiss watch brands. Here are a few facts about Omega. 

1. When it was founded in 1848, the company was named "Louis Brandt & Fils." Louis Brandt founded the company and "fils" is "son" in French. In 1894, Louis Brandt & Fils produced an easy-to-repair movement with incredible accuracy. This movement, named the Omega caliber, was an instant hit. Because of its overwhelming success, the company officially changed their name to Omega Watch Co in 1903.  
    
2. Everyone knows that Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, and if you're a watch aficionado, then you know that the Omega Speedmaster Professional was the first watch worn on the moon. However, did you know that the Omega Speedmaster Professional was not worn by Neil Armstrong? Armstrong left his Omega watch in the Lunar Module, whereas Buzz Aldrin wore his watch on the moon. Therefore, it's Aldrin's watch that became famous. Today, the Omega Speedmaster Professional is commonly referred to as the Omega Moonwatch. 
    
3. Omega launched the Seamaster line in 1948 to celebrate the brand's 100th anniversary. The Seamaster line is the oldest line in the current collection, easily surpassing the Speedmaster, the Constellation, and the De Ville lines. 
    
4. Omega has been the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, but you may be surprised at how they earned this distinction. In 1932 an Omega watchmaker went to the Los Angeles Olympic Games with thirty chronographs. These timepieces were used to time all of the events, and this was the first time a single brand had been entrusted with that responsibility. 
    
5. Since 1999, Omega watches have featured a Co-Axial escapement, but do you know what a Co-Axial escapement really is? An escapement is a device in a mechanical movement that controls the rotation of the wheels, thereby controlling the motion of the hands. Omega has developed an escapement that reduces friction, enhances efficiency, and improves timekeeping performance. The Omega Co-Axial escapement is included in every COSC-certified chronometer, and it comes with a four-year warranty. 

Rolex watches are instantly recognizable and they can be found on at least one wrist in every office. Rolex is known for their incredible accuracy, high-end finishing, and sporty appearance. Here are a few facts about Rolex. 

1. The name Rolex wasn't a family name. The founders of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, started as a watch assembling company in 1905 under the name "Wilsdorf and Davis." However, in 1908 Wilsdorf began making his own watches and changed the company's name to Rolex. Why Rolex? The name was short, easy to say and remember in any language, and attractive on watch movements and dials. According to the brand, Wilsdorf went through hundreds of possible names by combining different letters in the alphabet. Finally he landed on Rolex as the winner. 
    
2. Everyone knows Rolex as a Swiss watch brand, but it wasn't always a Swiss brand. Rolex was founded in London, England, but they moved to Geneva, Switzerland in 1919 because import and export taxes were too high in England due to World War I. 
    
3. Rolex created the first water-resistant and dust-proof wristwatch in 1926. This watch, the Rolex Oyster, was tested when the brand recruited a swimmer to cross the English Channel while wearing the Rolex watch. Even after the 10-hour swim, the watch continued to work perfectly. 
    
4. In 1953 the Rolex Submariner made waves in the watch community. This was the first watch that was water resistant up to 100 meters. A specially designed Rolex Submariner was publicly tested when it was strapped to the outside of the Bathyscaphe FNRS-2 vessel, a vessel that descended over 3,000 meters into the ocean. When the vessel returned from its deep sea dive, the Rolex watch was still ticking away. 
    
5. In 1996 a Rolex watch was used to solve a murder case. A victim was knocked unconscious, secured to an anchor, and thrown into the sea. A body was found a few days later caught in a net of the Brixham trawler Malkerry. Detectives identified the victim from the Rolex Oyster the man was wearing on his wrist. After researching Rolex's service records, the detectives identified the victim as 51-year-old Ronald Platt. This was the first clue that led the detectives to solving the murder.