Latest news with #RaynaldAeschlimann
Bangkok Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Small yet perfectly formed
Kyoto, once a former capital city of Japan now blending the old with the new, was chosen to be the setting of Omega's global launch for the Aqua Terra 30mm collection -- elegant, meticulously crafted, Swiss timepieces for women. Held at Shogunzuka Seiryuden -- a historical landmark -- the gala evening unveiled the Aqua Terra 30mm collection for the first time. It is Omega's new movement that features 12 new models. Each timepiece is powered by one of two new Master Chronometer movements, Calibre 8750 and 8751, with a 20mm diameter designed specifically for the 30mm case. The Aqua terra 30mm offers a range of models including Calibre 8750 available in stainless steel and a two-tone release, and Calibre 8751 available in Sedna and Moonshine gold. The guests experienced presentations that blended traditional Japanese artistry such as a music performance and a live Shodo calligraphy demonstration, as well as exhibits of the 12-model Aqua Terra 30mm collection. The collection boasts of fine craftsmanship with a small size and Master Chronometer innovation. Instead of having the global launch in Tokyo where Omega's flagship store is located, president and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann said there were many reasons why they chose Kyoto as the venue. "Japan ranks among the five biggest countries of watch production and consumption in the world. If you think about the consumer habits and the production, Japan is a country which is a major player. However, we are not in Tokyo because I told people at Omega let's go to a place where we feel there is constant search for balancing past art and modernity. Kyoto is such a city which has the vibration of art, vibration of femininity and the place that we can have a good feeling about creativity and positivity," explained Aeschlimann. Unlike many smaller watches that use quartz or less advanced mechanical movements, it took Omega technicians four years to develop the Aqua Terra 30mm due to the meticulous engineering required to create the high-performance movement for the case size. Aeschlimann emphasised that this is difficult. "It was definitely clear that in the Seamaster line, there should not be a quartz, but there should be the movement with Master Chronometer certification. Believe it or not, a small movement is more difficult than a big movement because there is a technical chronometric performance. We also wanted to have the machine with a Master Chronometer. Since it had to be a very small watch, this means it must be slim. It was a question of design and proportion. Beauty is all about details and proportion," he said. "The smaller it is, the more difficult it is to make. It took four years of development of such a movement and we created the new success for femininity. Additionally, it is a daily watch that you are happy to have because it is for every moment. It is a watch you can wear for walking the dog, going to the gym, having a picnic or working at home. It is the one that you like to wear." The Omega Aqua Terra 30mm collection is promoted through a campaign titled "My Little Secret" that features six campaign ambassadors -- model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham; K-pop star Danielle Marsh; Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tems; Academy Award-winning actress and performer Ariana DeBose; BAFTA-winning actress Marisa Abela; and actress Sunday Rose Kidman-Urban. When Aeschlimann was asked what was the secret of the watch, he said it was to create what they wanted and that meant a 30mm watch. He added that making a smaller watch is difficult because technicians had to create it with a well-balanced elegance of components, including the polish of the bracelet, the dials and the hour markers. "Small doesn't mean ladies but small means delicate. If other people want to wear this watch, even a man who wants to get the feeling of femininity, they can do so. This watch is much more difficult than working on men's watches, because men's watches have more space," said Aeschlimann. Omega has been established as one of the leading luxurious Swiss watches due to its iconic models. In 1962, the Speedmaster became the first Omega in space. In 1965, the Omega Speedmaster was the only watch that qualified for space missions. In 1969, it became the first watch worn on the Moon and earned the nickname "Moonwatch". Additionally, since 1995, the Omega Seamaster has been widely recognised after James Bond wore the watch in the films. Due to its reputation for precision and advance innovation, Omega became the first watchmaker to time an entire Olympic Games since 1932. Omega has historical achievements in watchmaking and a great public reputation, but how does the company plan to attract the young generation? Aeschlimann replied that the watch community gives great support to Omega as a Swiss-made watch with advanced technology. "We are creating new inspirations within the watch community that will attract the rest of the world because of the positive aspects of our research and development. I always say that factual elements should be incorporated along with the emotional elements. It is incredible that the community has helped Omega a lot," concluded Aeschlimann. It is obvious that Omega's marketing strategy to attract new generations is to promote the watch with social media influencers. At the gala evening, aside from brand ambassadors, the event welcomed notable talents from around the world, including the Omega Friends of the Brand Karla Souza and Aislinn Derbez from Mexico, and Yuriko Yoshitaka from Japan, as well as the actress Kornnaphat "Orm" Sethratanapong from Thailand. These social media influencers have millions of followers. Thai actress Kornnaphat attended the gala night wearing a gorgeous pearl gown and white mother-of-pearl Seamaster Aqua Terra 30mm on her wrist. "Omega is a brand with a long heritage that I have known since I was young," she told Life. "I am familiar with the brand as the one worn to space, the one James Bond wore and the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. When wearing the Aqua Terra 30mm, I feel that the watch alone can be a beautiful statement piece and does not need any other accessory. I chose to wear Aqua Terra with the mother-of-pearl dial because it can match many outfits. I believe that the Aqua Terra 30mm can appeal to new generations and not only women. It can attract many groups and they can wear it and feel like they are themselves."
Hype Malaysia
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Secret Is Out: OMEGA Spills The Tea & Unveils First-Ever Aqua Terra In 30mm
Pssst! OMEGA has unveiled its latest secret: the first-ever Aqua Terra in 30 mm, showcased in a new campaign titled 'My Little Secret.' Designed for modern women who want versatility with a touch of luxury, this collection combines precision, beauty and bold individuality. The new Aqua Terra comes in 12 distinct styles, featuring a vibrant mix of dials and luxurious materials like 18K Moonshine™ Gold, 18K Sedna™ Gold, stainless steel and two-tone designs. Each piece is powered by OMEGA's latest Master Chronometer calibres, the 8750 and 8751, created especially for this more intimate size. 'The most beautiful part of the watch is the one you cannot immediately see,' says Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA. 'Our new calibres represent OMEGA's highest expression of precision engineering, hidden within yet defining the watch's essence.' Campaign Ambassadors OMEGA unites six accomplished women who represent excellence across different fields: Ashley Graham – Model, entrepreneur, and advocate who has helped transform industry standards of beauty and representation. – Model, entrepreneur, and advocate who has helped transform industry standards of beauty and representation. Danielle Marsh – A recording artist who has risen to prominence in the global K-pop music scene with her distinctive vocal talent. – A recording artist who has risen to prominence in the global K-pop music scene with her distinctive vocal talent. Tems – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose layered compositions have earned international acclaim. – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose layered compositions have earned international acclaim. Ariana DeBose – Academy Award-winning actress and performer celebrated for her precision and versatility across stage and screen. – Academy Award-winning actress and performer celebrated for her precision and versatility across stage and screen. Marisa Abela – A BAFTA-winning actress recognised for her standout performances in Industry and as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black. – A BAFTA-winning actress recognised for her standout performances in Industry and as Amy Winehouse in Back to Black. Sunday Rose Kidman Urban – New face in the modelling industry who brings a fresh perspective to the campaign. In both film and portraits, each woman reveals her chosen timepiece – and a moment of personal connection. As the Aqua Terra 30 mm passes from one to another, it becomes a secret too good not to share. Discover the new Aqua Terra 30 mm at What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Web Release
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
OMEGA Reveals Aqua Terra 30 mm Collection in Kyoto
An Evening of Discovery The evening began with guests gathering on the venue's observation deck as twilight descended over Kyoto's ancient skyline. OMEGA President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann welcomed attendees, highlighting the collection's significance 'We've created timepieces that transition effortlessly from day to night, complementing any outfit or occasion while maintaining the highest technical standards,' Aeschlimann noted. 'This collection represents our response to the growing demand for versatile watches, all at a smaller scale.' Secrets Revealed As night fell over Kyoto, guests moved through a sensory journey through cascading voile screens created passages of discovery, gradually revealing the collection's twelve distinct expressions unveiling the 'my little secret' campaign theme. Throughout the evening, guests engaged with a series of interactive installations that blended traditional Japanese artistry with contemporary expression, from confessional-style photo booths to live Shodo calligraphy demonstrations. Stars Align in Kyoto The event brought together five of the six 'my little secret' campaign ambassadors, with model, entrepreneur, and advocate Ashley Graham, K-pop star Danielle Marsh, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tems, Academy Award-winning actress and performer Ariana DeBose and BAFTA-winning actress Marisa Abela, all joining the celebration against the historic setting. The international gathering also welcomed notable talents from around the world, including the OMEGA Friends of the Brand, Karla Souza and Aislinn Derbez of Mexico and Yuriko Yoshitaka from Japan, as well as the actresses Orm Kornnaphat from Thailand, Maria Pedraza of Spain, Yara Shahidi from the USA, Italian TV presenter Melissa Satta and the German content creator, Lena Mantler. The Aqua Terra 30 mm collection will be available in OMEGA boutiques and online from 19th June 2025.
Mid East Info
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
OMEGA Reveals Aqua Terra 30 mm Collection in Kyoto - Middle East Business News and Information
An Evening of Discovery The evening began with guests gathering on the venue's observation deck as twilight descended over Kyoto's ancient skyline. OMEGA President and CEO Raynald Aeschlimann welcomed attendees, highlighting the collection's significance 'We've created timepieces that transition effortlessly from day to night, complementing any outfit or occasion while maintaining the highest technical standards,' Aeschlimann noted. 'This collection represents our response to the growing demand for versatile watches, all at a smaller scale.' Secrets Revealed As night fell over Kyoto, guests moved through a sensory journey through cascading voile screens created passages of discovery, gradually revealing the collection's twelve distinct expressions unveiling the 'my little secret' campaign theme. Throughout the evening, guests engaged with a series of interactive installations that blended traditional Japanese artistry with contemporary expression, from confessional-style photo booths to live Shodo calligraphy demonstrations. Stars Align in Kyoto The event brought together five of the six 'my little secret' campaign ambassadors, with model, entrepreneur, and advocate Ashley Graham, K-pop star Danielle Marsh, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tems, Academy Award-winning actress and performer Ariana DeBose and BAFTA-winning actress Marisa Abela, all joining the celebration against the historic setting. The international gathering also welcomed notable talents from around the world, including the OMEGA Friends of the Brand, Karla Souza and Aislinn Derbez of Mexico and Yuriko Yoshitaka from Japan, as well as the actresses Orm Kornnaphat from Thailand, Maria Pedraza of Spain, Yara Shahidi from the USA, Italian TV presenter Melissa Satta and the German content creator, Lena Mantler. The Aqua Terra 30 mm collection will be available in OMEGA boutiques and online from 19th June 2025.
Stuff.tv
29-05-2025
- Business
- Stuff.tv
Omega boss teases new Swatch collab, but who's getting the MoonSwatch treatment next?
When Swatch and Omega dropped the MoonSwatch in 2022, chaos ensued. Queues snaked around city blocks. Watches sold out instantly. People flipped them online for double, sometimes triple, the retail price. And all for a $270 / £240 plastic watch inspired by the legendary Omega Speedmaster (one of the best watches around). It was, by any metric, a phenomenon – the kind of marketing moment brands dream of. Not only did it inject a bolt of fun into the luxury watch scene, but it also pulled a younger crowd into horology who might've otherwise bought a smartwatch. Two years on, and while the MoonSwatch is still popular, the hype has died down. But a new collab is coming… At an event in Biel to celebrate Omega's 60-year partnership with NASA, CEO Raynald Aeschlimann dropped a tantalising hint. During a roundtable discussion with journalists, he was asked whether any new Swatch collaborations were on the cards. 'Even today, I saw something different. A collab. Not with Omega, by the way,' he replied, according to Esquire's About Time newsletter. Cue speculation. If it's not Omega, then who is next up for a plastic makeover? Could we be on the cusp of another MoonSwatch moment? Here are a few brands that could be lining up for a shot: Breguet If we're talking anniversaries, Breguet is top of the list. The grand old brand turns 250 in 2025 and that's not just a 'cake in the office' birthday. It's also just had a leadership shake-up. Gregory Kissling, the former head of product at Omega, is now running the show. That's a serious signal that something new is coming. The Classique Souscription was recently relaunched, and a stripped-back Swatch version would bring a slice of horological heritage to people with regular salaries. Imagine getting that gorgeous single-hand design on your wrist for under $300 / £300. Maybe even a Type XX chronograph in bright colours? Sign us up. The only hitch: Breguet is very premium. Possibly too premium. It's Swatch Group's crown jewel, and they might not want to risk diluting that prestige with a plastic twin. But hey, if they do… I'll be camping outside to buy one. Blancpain Technically possible, but unlikely. Swatch already did a collab here – the Scuba Fifty Fathoms series launched in 2023 to celebrate the dive watch's 70th anniversary. It was fun, bright, and unexpectedly educational, thanks to their ocean-themed packaging and bioceramic cases. Blancpain's 290th birthday is this year, but going in for a second collab so soon feels like a stretch. Then again, we didn't expect the first one either. Still, we'll put this in the 'probably not, but never say never' pile. Glashütte Original This could be an inspired pick. Technically, the brand was formally founded in 1990, post-reunification, but its roots in German watchmaking stretch back much further. Plus, it flies under the radar compared to its Swiss siblings, and could use a bit of spotlight. A Swatch version of the Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date? That would be glorious – retro curves, bold colours, and a large date window. Or what about a simplified PanoMaticLunar? That might be a bit too fiddly to recreate with Swatch tech, but we'd love to see them try. A SeaQ diver makes more sense practically – solid, simple, and not a million miles from the Swatch Scubaqua recently launched. But it may feel a little too close to the Blancpain collab. Still, if Swatch wants to champion a lesser-known in-house gem, Glashütte Original is an excellent shout. Hamilton Now we're talking fun. Hamilton already leans into nostalgia and pop culture more than most of its Swatch Group peers, featuring in Interstellar, Oppenheimer, and Death Stranding 2 (to name a few). Swatch could riff off that with a collection of vibrant, plastic Khaki Fields. Imagine military-style dials in ice-cream colours. It would be absolutely perfect for summer. One issue: Hamilton just released its own budget-friendly Khaki Field Quartz line last year. A Swatch tie-in might undercut that or confuse the offering. But if they can find a creative way to separate the two, this feels like an easy win. MB&F Here's where things get truly wild. MB&F, the mad scientists of modern watchmaking, turn 20 this year. And while they're not part of the Swatch Group, we do know that Maximilian Büsser isn't afraid to think outside the box. They've already proven with that they can take that fantastical DNA and make it (relatively) affordable. A Swatch x MB&F collab would be bonkers – not just another watch with cool colours, but something totally unexpected. Unlikely? Sure. But if Swatch wants to flex its creative muscles, this would be the one to watch. Vacheron Constantin And now we're truly in fantasy territory. But hey, if we're dreaming, let's do it properly. Vacheron is celebrating its 150th anniversary. It's already launched a lot of stunning celebration models, including the steel 222 (which has become a bit of a cult icon lately, especially after last year's solid gold reissue). A fun, affordable Swatch version would be a dream come true. The problem? Vacheron is under Richemont, not the Swatch Group. So unless someone's planning an industry-shaking handshake, this one's staying in my dreams. Whatever's coming next, we're all watching, waiting, and wondering. If Swatch can have another MoonSwatch moment – whether with Breguet, Hamilton, MB&F, or someone completely unexpected – it'll be great for the watch world. Let us know which brand you think is most likely! Liked this? TAG Heuer launches a trio of Monaco watches for the Monaco GP, and I'm having trouble choosing a favourite
