Holmbrook Limited, a company based in Dublin, has found itself in legal battles brought by the brands Longines Watch Co., Rado Uhren and now Tissot AG for hijacking Russian (.ru) domain names that the watchmakers believe are rightfully theirs.

In earlier proceedings, the Moscow Commerical Court sided with Longines and Rado, prohibiting Holmrook from using the domain names and awarding the claimants modest monetary damages, but Tissot has not been as successful. On December 6, 2011, the court ruled against the company, stating that Holmrook was neither the owner of the tissot.ru domain name, nor its administrator. Apparently, Holmrook had given the name and well as administration rights to an individual named Nikolai Mikhailyukov free of charge. Mikhailyukov has been using the site to post information about the French painter, James Jacques Joseph Tissot.

Tissot AG claims that the site was not dedicated to the painter until after charges had already been filed.

Why Holmrook is targeting Swiss watchmakers is unclear; what the company even does is hard to pin down with a simple Google search. Holmrook Limited has no website, no Wikipedia page and no presence within social media. In fact, the bulk of its public activity seems to be defending itself in court against angry Swiss watchmakers.

Steve Levy, a writer for The Fair Winds Blog: DomainStrategy.com, has a theory. “It would seem Holmrook’s main function is investing in domain names (some may call it cybersquatting instead of investing), and I view the use of content relating to the artist James Tissot to be a clever ruse which was specifically intended to avoid enforcement. It would be like someone registering apple.ru and posting pictures of fruit but with the real intention of waiting for the famous computer/mobile device company to seek out the owner and offer them a huge sum to buy the domain.”

On his website, Levy makes the comment that these problems tend to abound in Russian web spaces, due to “lax copyright enforcement and a rampant counterfeiting industry.” His suggestion to businesses is to register any important trademarks in the .ru domain quickly, before cybersquatters do.

An appeal by Tissot was scheduled for Feb. 8, 2012 before the Russian Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals. And it’s a good bet that Omega, Union Glashütte, Breguet, Tourbillon, Calvin Klein and other Swatch Group companies are registering .ru domain names as quickly as possible.

Daniel Craig as James Bond with an Omega watch

The James Bond film series will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. To honor the British spy and his escapades, Swiss luxury watch brand Omega is releasing a special edition of its prized Seamaster Diver 300m, a timepiece Agent 007 has worn in the films since GoldenEye.

The newest addition to the Seamaster series will be available in two sizes, 41 mm for men and 36.25 mm for women. There will be a repetitive 007 monogram on the lacquered black dial, and the ceramic outer bezel rings feature the number 50 filled in with red. The rest of the grey outer ring displays the minutes in a 10-minute interval pattern with white enamel. White dots on the inner ring point out hours, and the geometric hands flit across hours and minutes. By contrast, the red seconds arm is thin and quite the opposite of all the shapes on the dial.

Each version of the watch screw-and-pin bracelets and their cases are made of stainless steel, and both watches are also certified chronometers. While the 41 mm watch has 11 applied indexes, the 36.25 mm women’s watch has 10 with a diamond marker at the 7 o’clock position. This special marking signifies the creation of the watch honor Agent 007, and also adds a touch of femininity.

Stamped with a gun-barrel design, the back of the watch continues to reflect the aesthetics of James Bond. The winding rotor is in the shape of a bullet and can be viewed through a sapphire crystal. The watch is water resistant up to 300 meters and showcases Omega’s revolutionary caliber 2507 self-winding, co-axial movement. Released in 1999, this component of Omega’s watches has since driven a revolution in mechanical watchmaking. A particularly advanced feature of the watch, the helium escape valve, should appeal to professional divers, as this is necessary for divers working with diving bells.

Although James Bond is a fictional character, he still represents quite the ambassador to the Omega brand. The James Bond 007 50th Anniversary Collector’s Piece, created in his honor, duly parallels the spy’s timeless sophistication. Take note that only 11,007 of the 41 mm version and 3,007 of the 36.25 mm version will be produced, as these watches are truly a limited edition. Look out for these classic timepieces as well as 23rd film in the James Bond franchise, Skyfall, coming out later this year.

The back of the new Seamaster with special inscriptions

The event was a celebration not only of the launch of the largest boutique in Europe, but also of East London, the Olympic Games and British talent from the world of music, television, fashion, sport and film.

Olympian Jessica Ennis, the current world indoor pentathlon and hopeful gold-medalist for this summer’s London 2012 Olympic Games, hosted the event with Omega President Stephen Urquhart.

Olympic Ambassador Jessica Ennis and Omega President Stephen Urquhart hosted the event.

Last year, Jessica Ennis joined the roster of Omega brand ambassadors.

“I am very proud to be joining the Omega family, and am honoured to have the chance to work closely with them as we all continue our journey towards London 2012,” said Ennis. “Timekeeping is everything in sport. A 1/100th of a second can be the difference between a gold and silver medal, so Omega really is at the service of athletes all over the world.”

The Swiss watchmaker chooses its ambassadors from the worlds of fashion, entertainment, sport and adventure. The list includes stars like actor George Clooney, actress Nicole Kidman, secret agent James Bond, American model Cindy Crawford and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

“We are delighted that Jessica has joined our family of brand ambassadors,” said Stephen Urquhart, Omega President. “Her accomplishments as a multi-event athlete are so remarkable that it’s hard to believe that she is only 25 years old.”

A slew of other prominent names made their way to the event, including English actress Tamzin Merchant, actor Freddie Fox, burlesque performer Immodesty Blaize, party promoter and fashion journalist Henry Conway, Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, former British sprinter Linford Christie, popular television presenter George Lamb and rugby union players Rob Webber and Ollie Phillips.

Professor Green and DJ IQ provided the event with music and entertainment.

The Omega Westfield Stratford Boutique – located at the gateway to the Olympic Park – is the largest yet in Europe. With a wide, open interior, Omega is able to showcase some of the world’s most prominent range of Swiss luxury watches, from classical and limited edition models to jewel-encrusted collections.

Omega will serve as the Official Timekeeper for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games, assuming its role for the 25th time. The Swiss luxury watch brand first served as Official Timekeeper at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This year’s event will mark the 80th anniversary of the watchmaker’s first Olympic Games.

Omega at the Olympic Games.

For 25 Olympic Games, the OMEGA watch company has been chosen as the official timekeeper of sporting events. This summer, at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, OMEGA will uphold that tradition.

The official timekeeper is among the most intricate roles in the Olympic Games. OMEGA’s consistent appointment to this position is a laudable testament to the brand’s timekeeping precision. The Chair of LOCOG, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, Sebastian Coe, said that OMEGA “will write history again in 2012.”

In preparation to do so, LOCOG has already begun laying the groundwork for the Games. OMEGA has recruited “a considerable number of data processing professionals,” and plans to use the most advanced innovations in precision timekeeping according to its official website.

Additionally, the company has released a specialty London 2012 Olympics Collection.

These sleek Speedmaster 5-counter Chronograph watches come with a bevy of unique features, including chronometers and screw-in crowns. The Olympic Collection is comprised of ten different watches with sub dials in the form of the Olympics insignia on all of their watch faces.

The watch cases are made of 18 carat white gold; while the basis of the Olympic rings are diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

This year, OMEGA has extended its partnership – a partnership that has existed for nearly a century –  with the Olympic Games through the year 2020. An exciting contract for the company, and a further testament to its superior watches.

The Olympic Collection features watches for both men and women. Among the highlights of this collection is the men’s red gold on leather strap watch. It’s truly an eye-catcher.

It is a numbered edition watch with a black dial and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. It has a built in tachymeter and chronograph.

Red gold Olympic Collection chronograph watch.

In terms of aesthetics, it’s a must-have. The dazzling red gold case is complemented by the dark brown leather strap in a perfectly harmonious color scheme.

Another highlight, the steel on rubber strap watch, is a retro sleek look. Its comfortable rubber strap is complemented by its steel case and domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

All of the watches are appealing in their own right. And they’re setting the stage for summer 2012 in London.

Workspace of Louis Brandt

If you are thinking, “So what? It’s only a watch,”  let me explain why you should reconsider. The company was founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt and should be noted that although he defined the company vision, his untimely passing thirty one years later enabled his sons Louis-Paul and Cesar to not only continue their father’s vision but take the company to the next level. The company partnered with investors and was still owned by the Brandt family until the early 80s. Today it is owned by the Swatch Group.

The only true competition over the years was Rolex, but during the early 60s when man had set his eyes on the moon, the Bulova Watch Company was responsible for supplying  the National Space Aeronautics Association (NASA) with all the panel clocks and time keeping mechanisms in the spacecraft since all utilized “tuning fork movements” that worked in zero gravity. Conventional watch manufacturers like Rolex and Omega had mechanical movement that had never been tested in space. Rolex was not interested in NASA and a rivalry between Bulova and Omega began.

Due to the innate drive of the Brandt family, one of their descendants, Paul-Emile Brandt was responsible for the creation of the famous Omega Chronograph Movement, and the rest is history. Astronauts Neal Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin both wore the “Omega Speedmaster Professional Chronograph” to the moon. It was a mechanical hand wound watch that had survived rigorous tests from extreme temperature cycling to acoustic noise and more.

Omega Professional Speedmaster Chronograph

Although the 70s brought competition from the Japanese with the Quartz Movement watches, Omega survived and competed with its own version, the ‘Swiss Made’ quartz movement. Over the years kings and queens, presidents and actors have worn Omega watches.

James Bond has been wearing one since 1995, although his is equipped with certain bells and whistles that you may find are difficult to get on starter models. Omega has also frequently been the official timekeeper for the Olympics since 1932 and continues to impress with models that are not only specially designed for Space but for Land, Sea and Air alike.

Omega's recently unveiled Seamaster 1948

The 2012 London Olympic games herald not only the 80 year anniversary of Omega’s role as Official Timekeeper of the Olympics, but also the 25th time Omega watches has taken on that critical responsibility. In celebration of that achievement, Omega has unveiled its limited edition Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial “London 2012.” In addition to being the year Omega first launched the iconic Seamaster, 1948 was the last time London hosted the Olympic games, and marked the debut of automatic timekeeping.

The Seamaster 1948 is a re-invigoration of the classic automatic Seamaster. In a 39mm brushed and polished stainless steel case embossed with the classic Omega logo, it has an opaline silver dial and a seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. The Arabic numerals are 18 CT white gold at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Hour and minute hands are diamond-polished, and the small seconds hand is crisp blue steel. Water-resistant up to 400 feet, the caseback is affixed with an 18CT gold medallion with the London 2012 Olympic games logo.

The watch mechanism is powered by the Omega caliber 2202, Omega’s exclusive officially-certified chronometer equipped with a Co-Axial escapement on three-levels and free sprung-balance. The timepiece is presented on a black leather strap with a polished stainless-steel buckle. Only 1,948 are being produced, and each watch is delivered in a unique London 2012 presentation box.

Olympic champion Michael Phelps, Omega's ambassador

Of course, being the Olympic Games’ Official Timekeeper is more than crafting a commemorative luxury watch; it means being responsible for all of the timekeeping statistics governing the competitions. 1948 was the first Olympics wherein Omega’s photoelectric cells provided the basis for which automatic timekeeping was achieved. Omega’s innovations will be no less critical in 2012. “We want to see records broken in 2012,” says Sebastian Coe, the Chair of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). “Omega timing will be absolutely central to this, capturing these moments of sporting history on the track, in the pool and in so many of our venues. We will write history again in 2012.”

Competitive timekeeping technology has certainly evolved since 1948, and Omega has always been at the forefront with its revolutionary innovations. According to Omega’s press release: “Omega will undoubtedly be using technology of the highest specification at the London 2012 Olympic Games, just as it has done on 24 prior occasions.” The elegance and quality of the Seamaster 1948 symbolize Omega’s exacting standards and enduring commitment to excellence.

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Watch

Omega recently introduced it’s newest watch to the Speedmaster collection, the Speedmaster OMEGA Co-Axial Chronograph Watch, also known as the Moonwatch for the reason that it was the first watch worn on the moon. This stunning watch resembles the rest of the Speedmaster family with the stylish black beveled dial, black tachymeter located on the bezel and Moonwatch style hands. To spice things up, Omega equipped this sporty watch with the first of its kind proprietary OMEGA Co-Axial caliber 9300 chronograph.

The Speedmaster OMEGA Co-Axial Chronograph comes with two sub dials, instead of the more common three dial Speedmaster chronograph. The two dials are located at 3 o’clock and at 9 o’clock. There is a calendar at 6 o’clock and tachymeter with white numbers, circling the black dial.

The inventive condensed Co-Axial chronograph delivers the same accurate time as a three dial chronograph. The sub dial at 3 o’clock contains a 12-hour and a 60 minute counter hands. While the column wheel chronograph also has a small seconds hand on the 9 o’clock sub dial. The double pushers function separately with no harm to the chronograph. It also comes with a main seconds hand.

The Speedmaster OMEGA Co-Axial sports a black beveled dial with white hour hands, with a box-form scratch resistant sapphire crystal covering it. The screw down back is also protected by a see-through scratch resistant sapphire crystal cover, exposing the exquisite mechanisms beneath. The box-form sapphire crystal allows for a slimmer design.

The Speedmaster OMEGA Co-Axial luxury watch comes with a stainless steel 44.25mm case and a stainless steel bezel. These remarkable watches also come with a silicon balance spring to bring accurate and lasting performance. Since silicon takes a while to wear out and a very low chance for exhaustion this guarantees the silicon spring will stay in tact for a long time to come. With the combination of the OMEGA Co-Axial feature and the silicon balance spring the OMEGA Co-Axial Chronograph watch will be around a for a while.

The New Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Watch.

The Speedmaster OMEGA Co-Axial makes a great addition to the Speedmaster family, with its in-house built OMEGA Co-Axial caliber 9300 chronograph ingeniously compacted into accurate sub dials and the classy round dial black dial with uniquely box shaped scratch resistant sapphire crystal on both the top and the bottom.

Omega Museum Collection, Worth Showing Off

Omega Watches have gained much notoriety from politicians, to sports figures, even celebrities.  Why has Omega been so popular?  It’s simple, they make quality timepieces, and they make them beautifully.  To prove my point, I give you one of my favorite Omega designs…the Omega Specialties men’s watch comes with all the bells and whistles, and it’s packaged beautifully!  This is an Omega limited edition Chronograph.  It is equipped with a Tachymeter, and a Pulsometer, and is a certified Chronometer.  I told you this watch was packed with function.  The dial is a soft opalescent silver, and the arms are very thin and don’t overpower the face.  The Omega Specialties men’s watch comes in several different variations, but the one that caught my eye is encased in 18 carat red gold.  The inner workings of this incredible men’s watch is fitted with an Omega 3201 hand wound Chronographic movement, and it features Omega’s famous Co-Axial Escapement .  It has a centralized Chronograph dial and a free sprung balance with small second, minutes, and hour’s hand. This men’s Chronograph is water resistant to 100 feet, and has a power reserve that will last up to 55 hours.  It works hard, and looks great, what more could you want?

Omega Aqua Terra Seamaster, Stunning

Omega, makers of exceptional Swiss timepieces, is famous for their professional watches.  Omega’s women’s collections are fabulous.  These ladies watches are stylish, well-made, and really functional.  I love the look of the Aqua Terra Quartz women’s watch by Omega.  This ladies watch has it all…looks, precision, and elegance.  The 231.10.20.61.55.001 Aqua Terra is from Omega’s Seamaster line.  The Seamaster is a line of men’s and women’s professionally constructed timepieces.  This women’s version is stunning.  It has a bright silver dial, with silver, arrow shaped hour and minute arms.  The date window is placed at the 3 o’clock position and the hours are marked by brilliant round cut diamonds!  The dial is covered by a sapphire crystal that is highly scratch resistant.  The women’s Seamaster is encased in stainless-steel and is water resistant to 550 feet.  This beautiful timepiece won’t let you down.  It has a 20 month batter reserve and is equipped with an indicator to let you know when the battery life is coming to an end.  The Aqau Terra Quartz is a Swiss made watch.  It comes with the Omega Quartz precision caliber 1424 movement.  Other versions come with a black face, but I much prefer this steel on steel look.  It’s striking, it’s sophisticated…it’s Omega!

Omega Watches Support The Olympics

Omega Watches are certainly stylish and exude a timeless feeling.  The Specialties Men’s Collection follows that tradition.  One of my picks in the Specialties line is the Olympic Vancouver 2010.  This sporty men’s watch is stylish and highly functional…not to mention it celebrates the 2010 Olympic games.  There is only one version of this limited edition watch and it comes in strong stainless-steel.  It is one of Omega’s Chronometers, equipped with a unidirectional bezel that rotates, a helium escape valve, and a screw down crown.  The Olympic Vancouver 2010 comes in a large men’s size, with a diameter of 41mm.  The polished stainless-steel bracelet is complimented by a white dial with a bright red ribbon of color encircling the face.  This men’s watch is all Omega, fine quality, and Swiss-made.  It is water resistant to 1000 feet, but why take it to the depths of the ocean floor…it looks too good on dry land.  The Omega Olympic Vancouver 2010 proudly displays the Official Olympic logo on the face, and is a representation of Omega’s dedication to, and respect for the art of timekeeping.  This men’s watch comes numbered, with the Olympic logo engraved on the back of the dial for authenticity, a nice touch.  Pick up your limited edition Omega Olympic today!