OMEGA Celebrates 110 Years in China with a Limited Edition Railmaster
Shanghai (China) – Wednesday 03 August 2005
Simon and Qi Qi evoke 1920s Shanghai to help OMEGA mark magnificent milestone
OMEGA Celebrates 110 Years in China
OMEGA celebrated 110 years in the China market with a glamorous press conference held today at the Old Train Station in Shanghai; the occasion was graced by two of the brand’s leading global ambassadors, Simon and Qi Qi. To mark the first OMEGA watches ever produced for the Chinese market, OMEGA also launched the latest exclusive edition of its famed Railmaster family, the Railmaster Limited Edition in Gold. OMEGA also announced details of a five-month celebration programme for its 110th anniversary in China.
Considering that the first OMEGA watches in China were produced for China’s National Railway in 1895, the Old Train Station in Shanghai was the ideal setting for today’s 110th anniversary celebration. To set the scene, OMEGA ambassadors Simon and Qi Qi alighted from a train car at the station where they were met by Mr Kevin Rollenhagen, Vice President for OMEGA China and Hong Kong, Elinda Cheng, Director of Marketing for OMEGA China and Hong Kong, and several members of the China media.
Evoking the heady romance of jazz-age Shanghai, Simon presented Qi Qi with an OMEGA “Greek Temple”, an antique model ladies’ watch that evokes the magic of a past era. Later in the press conference, Qi Qi returned the favour by presenting Simon with the latest Railmaster Limited Edition in Gold, neatly bringing 110 years of OMEGA history in China full circle.
Mr Kevin Rollenhagen commented on the milestone saying, “Today marks a great moment for OMEGA as we celebrate 110 years in the Chinese market. Over the years, a mutual fascination has developed between OMEGA and the people of China. We are truly proud to have kept time with China’s amazing development and look forward to another century of meeting the needs of today’s sophisticated Chinese consumers.”
OMEGA also unveiled its latest masterpiece at today’s press conference, the Railmaster Limited Edition in Gold. Reflecting OMEGA’s history with the China National Railway, the exclusive new model is distinguished by an engraving of a train engine on the caseback. To mark the year of its entry into China, only 1,895 pieces were produced, all of which will be sold exclusively in China.
A stellar programme of activities to mark OMEGA’s anniversary in China were also announced today, including the start of a travelling tour of renowned timepieces from the OMEGA Museum. From now until December 2005, over 40 pieces from the OMEGA Museum in Switzerland will be showcased in 20 OMEGA stores around China.
Ms Elinda Cheng commented on the grand celebration plans for OMEGA’s 110th year in China, saying “In true OMEGA style we have arranged a glamorous calendar of activities and events that represents both the state of the art in the last century of watchmaking and the exciting future of OMEGA design. It is our great honour to have served the China market for 110 years and we look forward to creating new watches and jewellery that will appeal to the cosmopolitan consumers of China.”
OMEGA also announced details of a public competition to find the oldest OMEGA watch in China. Interested applicants just have to take an application form and their OMEGA watches to the nearest official OMEGA retailer, who will verify the age and authenticity and photograph the watch for the competition.
The owner of the oldest certified authentic OMEGA timepiece in China will win one of the 1,895 Limited Edition OMEGA Railmasters in Gold, while all owners of OMEGA watches produced before 1930 will receive special certificates. The anniversary campaign will come to a close with the launch of a special book devoted to OMEGA’s 110 year history in China and a special gala dinner in Shanghai in December.