STATE-OFTHE-ART EXPANSION
Omega marks new chapter in cutting-edge style with ultra-modern production facilities
IT WAS IN 1882 that “Louis Brandt & Fils” first moved to its watch-manufacturing site at Rue Jakob-Stampfli 96 in Bienne, Switzerland. The company, now known as Omega, has remained at the same location ever since. Over the years, the manufacture has continued to grow, with the latest development being the most important.
The opening of Omega’s newest production building signals a new chapter in the company’s history. It represents the industry’s most cutting-edge facility for watch assembly, training and quality control. Designed by the inspiring and award-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, it is an eco-friendly masterpiece built entirely from Swiss spruce and concrete with an ingenious indoor climate and energy concept. Inside, Omega occupies the five stories of space effectively, bringing technical innovation and human expertise together for a fully streamlined manufacturing process.
With regard to the modern expansion of Omega’s historical site, CEO of Swatch Group Nick Hayek proudly highlighted at the grand opening, “The strong tradition of investing not only in new technologies and new methods of production, but also in its own employees can be seen through the achievement of this new splendid Omega factory. It reflects the brand’s commitment to the highest standards of watchmaking.”
Hayek was joined by Raynald Aeschlimann, CEO and president of Omega, who added, “We have created a truly innovative workspace, but the real value of this new building is efficiency. We have been able to now combine all of our assembly and testing processes under one roof. That means a complete consolidation of work that will help Omega to become much more productive and streamlined than ever before.”
Through consolidation, all steps, including T2 (watch assembly), T3 (bracelets), and T4 (packaging), as well as stock and logistics, are now completed on the new premises. In addition to this, the building is designed for training purposes, enabling Omega to sharpen and constantly improve the skills of the staff inside. More importantly, it is equipped with exciting, state-of-the-art features that has revolutionised the traditional setup of watchmaking.
HIGH-TECH OPERATION
A glimpse inside its newest building reveals how human expertise is now interacting with robotic assistance at the very highest level. At the core of the building, Omega has installed a fully automated storage system that rises up through three floors of the building. Like something from a science-fiction movie, the fireproofed system contains over 30,000 boxes filled with all the necessary stock required for the brand’s watchmaking. Visitors to the building can marvel at the storage system and its robotic arms in action through specially built windows.
In addition, there are robotic arms and systems used for the Master Chronometer testing. For humans, the physical transportation and organisation of the watches is a monotonous and time-consuming job. Omega’s robotic arms are completely customised to fulfill the task. By measuring, photographing, winding, shifting and spinning the watches, they provide Omega with a consistent and constant level of operation, a beautiful assembly line that never misses a beat.
There are also robotic arms used for the identification and final packaging of each watch. Reader systems ensure that each watch is picked from the assembly line and delivered with the correct warranty and certification, and all other necessary inclusions. Another example of technology includes the arms for laser engraving, which give each watch its unique identity. Meanwhile, Omega’s staff can concentrate fully on the testing results and making sure that every watch is finely-tuned and ready for the customer.
PEOPLE COME FIRST
Swiss watchmaking by definition calls for skilled handcraftsmanship, and by virtue of that, Omega has put its people at the heart of the brand and created an environment that fosters creativity, good spirits and optimum performance. You only need to walk through the new building to see the
intense concentration and delicate skills employed at every desk. From setting the hands perfectly on a dial to the final casing of a completed timepiece, the watchmakers all carry the same pride and commitment that has powered the Swiss-made brand for almost 170 years.
Giving its staff an added advantage, Omega has maximised the working environment of its new building. From carefully managed temperature control and air-conditioning to the overall ergonomics, everything has been integrated for an exceptional flow. Even the stringent elimination of dust proves that Omega’s manufacturing can operate at a high, and very difficult-to-achieve, standard. This puts Omega’s people in the best position possible to continuously thrive.
METAS TESTING
Among the highlights of the new manufacture are the quality and technical control facilities, which include the METAS testing for Master Chronometer certification. All technology for the eight METAS tests can be found on the third floor, including the powerful magnets that subject each watch to a field of 15,000 gauss. It is here that Omega will certify its watches at the industry’s highest standard for precision, performance and magnetic resistance.
EFFICIENT ENERGY
Omega’s new factory has been designed with an ingenious indoor climate and energy concept that ensures maximum efficiency through a truly sustainable development. Firstly, the insulation level chosen for the building actually exceeds the requirements of the Swiss building code. By relying on this effective, built-in energy, Omega can gladly reduce the external loads on the building’s heating system.
On the glass exterior, highly efficient solar shading has been included on each window. These external blinds are controlled by the sun, depending on which direction the window is facing. Inside, all artificial lighting is provided by LED lights. This guarantees low electricity consumption and internal heat loads. The lights are also controlled by daylight and occupancy-sensors, switching on only when required.
Radiant heating and cooling systems have also been adopted for all the rooms. Based on high cooling temperatures and low heating temperatures, the systems offer improved comfort and low energy consumption. In other words, the heating and cooling of the building can be produced with very high efficiency. In an impressive example of recycling, the new factory uses its own excess heat from production processes such as compressed air, vacuums and O2-reduction, for other required areas, such as the preheating of domestic hot water.
The entire energy supply of the building is based on a geothermal system, which uses the regenerative energy potential of groundwater. This is sourced via several wells on the site. The pumped groundwater runs via a heat exchange to directly cool the rooms. The radiant panels inside the building run with inlet temperatures of 16 to 18°C, which can be supplied directly from the groundwater, without any additional cooling. For heating, the groundwater is controlled with a heat pump. Finally, to produce some of the electricity needed for heating, cooling, ventilation and renewable lighting, the south-east roof of Building O is covered with photovoltaic modules (solar panels).