One man's passion ... my friend's private Omega museum

Apr 30, 2011,08:24 AM
 

I have a friend whose enthusiasm and dedication to the Omega brand put mine to shame. He is the type of a quiet guy who is easy to smile and laugh but never brag. In his solitude he has slowly acquired Omega watches and other associated items over the years from various brick and mortar and online sources, as well as older Omega dealers which are no longer in business. Today the pieces he has amass into a huge collection he has decided to build a private museum in his own office.

Normally the pieces are stored at different, safe locations for the obvious reason. They are brought together only when there is an open house.

Here are some of the pics I want to share from my latest visit to his place about two months ago...



















































I could not resist trying a watch I have always wanted to have.




And here is one watch from each of the visitors that day...


Some brought extras so an extended table shot goes like this.


And I thought the economy was bad. At least things must have worked out well for these four happy owners.


Hope you enjoyed the tour. Thanks.

Ruckdee



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I am speechless!

 
 By: anaesdoc : April 30th, 2011-08:44
Hi ruckdee, this is an amazingly ample collection, which makes one feel like a kid in a candy store. Your friend must have spent a huge amount of time and means to build this. Thanks for sharing, anaesdoc

"Kid in a candy store" is a very accurate description of my time there.

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-19:15
He is one very lucky guy indeed. Ruckdee

Just incredible!

 
 By: mrsnak : April 30th, 2011-08:50
The sheer breadth of the collection, as well as all the supporting material like movements and POS accessories clearly shows rare (if not obsessive ;-)) passion. What a treat to have been able to visit!

He organizes an open house on a roughly quarterly basis.

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-19:17
So that makes visiting an even rarer occurrence. Glad to see you enjoyed the pics. Thanks. Ruckdee

This is beyond comprehension... [nt]

 
 By: DeGeus : April 30th, 2011-11:46
No message body

Wauw...

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : April 30th, 2011-12:51
...what an extra ordinary Omega collection your friend has. I am looking forward to see some pictures when the museum is build... Some of these beauties..I can not take my eyes away from them.. But my favorite is a different one Thx for sharing Best Hans

Hans, would you be kind enough to share which one your favorite is?

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-19:20
His museum will take this form from now on. I don't think he cannot put the watches up permanently due to security concerns. But at least we have the photographs to go by Ruckdee

Sounds great my friend :-)

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : May 1st, 2011-08:19
..this is the one Best Hans This message has been edited by hans_jorgen_1968 on 2011-05-01 08:21:40 This message has been edited by hans_jorgen_1968 on 2011-05-01 08:22:54...  

I am speechless, is the guy a former Omega employee ???

 
 By: georgeszaslavsky : April 30th, 2011-16:23
Your friend is one very very lucky guy, not only he has spare movements but also some of the rarest omegas. Is your friend someone who worked at Omega???? thanks for sharing regards georges

You're welcome. And, no, he was never employed by Omega.

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-19:22
He is just a regular guy like us who appreciate Omega brand and watches. He just happens to be very successful at his manufacturing business and has a VERY understanding wife. I cannot imagine the kind of trouble my financee will give me if I spend this m... 

My pleasure. Happy May Day. [nt]

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-19:24
No message body

Great post Ruckdee.....

 
 By: Bill Sohne : April 30th, 2011-19:34
Hi Ruckdee Looks like a good time and a great collection... Your friend is not alone. I was invited to a "quite" collector who built a museum in their house. I was shocked to say the lest.... Good Hunting Bill Sohne

"Shocked" is the right word. Isn't it amazing there are such dedicated...

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-20:09
...people in this world? I was just thinking of your last week when I met a visiting Purists member. Hope you are well. Ruckdee

That is amazing

 
 By: RJW : April 30th, 2011-21:11
He must have a compassionate and understanding partner. Or else he must be single! Good to know that the watches in his possession are being cared for in an appropriate way for the future. Regards, Richard.

Excellent Post

 
 By: mondodec : April 30th, 2011-21:30
and a remarkable smorgasbord of new and vintage pieces. I wouldn't be surprised to see in the pictorial Dictionary of Harmless Neuroses a photograph of your friend under the Obsessive-Compulsive listing This is truly the work of a driven man, a sophistica... 

I'll be sure to pass your kind words along. And, yes, this is a classic case...

 
 By: Ruckdee : April 30th, 2011-22:10
...of OCD. One very enviable case, that is. Ruckdee

I like...

 
 By: mac_omega : April 30th, 2011-23:31
Hi Desmond, I like your expression "bower bird" ! But as I am biologist I know that bower birds do amass glittering pieces and fruit and similar solely to impress their prospective mates and not fellow collectors I thought I am a bit of crazy collector - ... 

Thank you, Ruckdee . . .

 
 By: Dr No : April 30th, 2011-23:00
. . . this gentleman's collection is truly remarkable. He is, in my estimation, a Purist of the first order. Deeply impressed, Art

Oh My GOD!!!

 
 By: amanico : April 30th, 2011-23:39
Now, I think that a lot of us will feel better: There are much crazier people than us! In a good way, of course, as this kind of collection is a dream for every watch nut. This Connie with the enamel dial is hot hot hot, even if it comes with a colored go... 

You bet I will Nicolas. And I'm surprised too with your choice of the meteorite.

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 1st, 2011-00:12
I have always thought of you as the faded black dial, yellowed lume type. The meteorite would be a refreshing change, wouldn't you think? Ruckdee

Things can see some evolutions...

 
 By: amanico : May 1st, 2011-00:22
I saw the so called Speed Alaska Project... On pictures, I loved it, in the real, it was a real no go. This Speed Meteorite Dial was exactly the inverse. If I had to get a modern Speedie, yes, this would be this one. Still have to " work " on the Vintage ... 

your friend is a true purist. a fabulous collection of all things Omega

 
 By: G99 : May 1st, 2011-02:49
any chance of arranging a purists visit ?? with 3 months notice i could probably save the cost of the flight in order to see this cornucopia of Omegas. best Graham

If you happen to pass by the region one day...

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 1st, 2011-11:13
...I'm sure it will be possible to arrange things. The museum is well received by local collectors every time it is open. I can picture you studying the items on display already. Ruckdee

It really is like a museum

 
 By: AndrewD : May 1st, 2011-05:52
A truly amazing site to see. Thanks for sharing it with us. Andrew

WOW, amazing collection...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : May 1st, 2011-08:23
... your friend's collection is really amazing me... i can't imagine my collection to be growing at the stage of your friend has. one thing i am very sure is that he must have the very supportive wife if he is married?! thanks for sharing, Ruckdee. stefan

Yes, he is married and his wife is very supportive as you imagined.

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 1st, 2011-11:17
Where have you been yourself? We missed you over at the JLC Forum. You must be enjoying your latest acquisition so much, taking photographs to show us and everything. See you around. Ruckdee

thanks for thinking of me :-)

 
 By: FanFrancisco : May 2nd, 2011-03:08
... was just as usual going out for weekly shopping food for the coming week. then quietly staying at home with children as they are going to have mid-year examine soon. yes, you are right, have been wearing my love will take some pics together with my ot... 

Ruckdee I must add my thanks ...

 
 By: flightmaster71 : May 1st, 2011-17:51
to the list for sharing with us this gentleman's incredible passion. It is truely humbling. I particularly like the leather bound volumes which presumably contain Omega range information or watchmakers notes from the years marked on the spines? Valueing t... 

The leather bound volumes I understand to be ...

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 1st, 2011-19:55
... very old caliber repair manuals he bought from a long-time authorized dealer which had to close down a few years back. And, no, my friend is not a member of the royal family. He is a commoner like us. But his manufacturing industry has been so success... 

and I thought I had an obsession !!!

 
 By: aroma : May 2nd, 2011-01:31
What a stunning collection - but owning that lot would worry me sick Cheers

Yes. I can imagine the worries associated with having so much to care for.

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 2nd, 2011-06:51
Fortunately for my friend, he is careful to split his collection for secure storage at different locations as a first precaution. Ruckdee

Ruckdee!

 
 By: Karloff_AG : May 2nd, 2011-08:34
I feel that my collection is NOTHING compare to this one!! It is AMAZING this collection, I have no more words than to ask you to CONGRATULATE your friend! We have the same taste, one of my next purchases will be one Broad Arrow Moonphase. Is a beautiful ... 

I couldn't help but be humbled too.

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 2nd, 2011-10:02
And I'm glad to see another forum member who appreciates the same watch as I do. I believe the official name is Replica Moonphase ... if my memory serves. To answer your last question, my friend bought only one Soyuz. The other three pieces belong to thre... 

Very very impressive indeed.

 
 By: Davo : May 3rd, 2011-01:39
That's what I call Passion.

You and him have the same idea. He calls his place...

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 3rd, 2011-07:02
...Omega Passion Museum. Ruckdee

Fantastic

 
 By: Ubik : May 3rd, 2011-05:33
The frightening thing is that I don't think this is extreme. LOL. I especially like the wood panneled Omega display room. Is that in his house as well?

It's inside a private office at his factory. So basically he sits...

 
 By: Ruckdee : May 3rd, 2011-07:06
...in the center of the room with walls of Omega watches on both sides. Not shown in the photographs is a television built into the shape of an Omega LED watch to view the production line at work. Very creative there. Ruckdee

Superb, Ruckdee!

 
 By: AlexSunrise : May 8th, 2011-19:40
What an incredible collection of watches and memorabilia you friend has. Please send my compliments to him on his evergrowing passion for all things Omega. Besides, everyone who attended seemed to be as passionate for Omega as your friend. A great gatheri...