The Third Generation Of The Omega De Ville (Live Pics & Price)

The Omega De Ville Prestige is the brand’s classic all-rounder. Launched 28 years ago, the model is somewhat overshadowed by the popular Seamaster and Speedmaster but is an important pillar of the brand’s collection. Omega now introduces an overall upgrade of the Prestige with six different families, five different sizes, and four different movements, all with improved functionality and style. The De Ville Prestige has never been better and has never looked better! We’ll talk you through all the details of this major update of the De Ville collection.

THE ORIGINS

The name De Ville appeared on the dial of Omega watches after the introduction of the brand’s trilogy of professional watches (1957). Next to these professional instrument watches, De Ville referred to the continuation of the dressier heritage of the Seamaster; the Seamasters meant “for the city” or “De Ville” in French.

The De Ville collection itself appeared in 1967. Launched in 1994, the Omega De Ville Prestige was a reference to their “contemporary design and slim, chic style”. The Prestige introduced several design elements, in particular a ‘triple-apple’ (or triple gadroon) bezel. The collection went through the first upgrade in 2012 with the introduction of chronometer-certified Co-Axial movements. Ten years later, the third-generation Prestige undergoes another stylistic and functionality upgrade.

MASTER CHRONOMETER

First and foremost, this overall upgrade can be seen as a logical technical step and a major technical improvement. It is the last major part of the Omega collection to be upgraded to the brand’s Master Chronometer standards (for mechanical versions), ensuring superior precision and magnetic resistance (to 15,000 Gauss) – a transition that has already been implemented for the De Ville Trésor collection.

In effect, this means a shift from code 2500 movements to the newest code 8000 calibres. Naturally, the Master Chronometer certification does not apply to the two smaller-sized quartz models; still, their movement is new, too, with thermo-compensation for enhanced stability and precision.

The 2nd and 3rd generations of the De Ville Prestige

But the 2022 Prestige is not just a technical or functional overhaul, its style has also been subtly revamped while respecting the core DNA of the De Ville Prestige. The case is still bassiné and still features its signature triple-gadroon bezel (or triple-apple bezel in Omega lingo). The dials are still adorned with Roman numerals and cabochon indexes. The metal bracelet still has seven rows, but much has been improved. From the case to the dial and from the movement to the proportions, almost everything has changed!

SLENDER CASES

Starting with the case, the most notable evolution relates to the larger diameter of gent’s models, increasing from 39.5mm to 40mm for the time-and-date and 41mm for the small seconds and small seconds/power reserve models. The design has been subtly improved with slender lines (despite thicker movements), the lugs have been modernised and are more tapered, and the crown has been slightly reworked. From a material perspective, Sedna Gold now replaces the standard pink gold used previously. With the domed sapphire crystal, the case profile is slimmer, and the Master Chronometer movements can now be admired with see-through backs.

The ladies’ model comes in three different sizes: 34mm (automatic movement), 30mm and 27.5mm (quartz movement). The quartz models feature a metal caseback with the God Chronos medallion – the emblem of the De Ville Prestige.

DOMED DIALS

The major change for the dial is that it is now delicately bombé (except for the ladies’ models) instead of being flat, which brings extra style and presence to the model. The applied Roman numerals are also softly domed to follow the shape of the dial. The hands are now leaf-shaped, and the minute and the tip of the central second hands are slightly bent.

Different dial finishes and colours are offered, ranging from a sunray finish, two different crystal finishes, an exclusive finish combining a random vertical pattern with radiant sun-brushing and last, a Clous de Bienne finish (only available for gold models). A wide array of dial colours are available: platinum-gold, rose silvery, sandy rose, linen, Moonshine™ Gold, salmon, lavender, sky blue, blue, matcha green, pine green, dark green, purplish burgundy, wine burgundy, grey, black. Last, there are dedicated materials for the ladies’ models, such as white or Tahiti mother-of-pearl.

IMPROVED BRACELET

The De Ville Prestige still comes either on a leather strap or on a 7-link metal bracelet. However, the leather straps are more tapered, and the link width of the metal bracelet has been reproportioned. It is now secured by a butterfly folding clasp with pushers on the cover instead of a sliding clasp. For the men’s models, these covers are rectangular, while for women, they are curved.

De Ville Prestige 41 mm – Power Reserve & Small Seconds

The Power Reserve and Small Seconds model of the De Ville Prestige is enlarged from 39.5 mm to 41mm. The dial layout retains a recessed power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock with a cross-hair in the small seconds display at 9 o’clock. The date window is integrated inside the power reserve display at the bottom of the dial. The model is powered by the Master Chronometer Omega 8810 calibre.

Quick facts – 41mm case – mechanical calibre 8810 – 25,200vph – 55-hour power reserve – from CHF 5,200

De Ville Prestige 41 mm – Small Seconds

The third generation of the Prestige brings back a small seconds model that is 41mm in diameter. The automatic 8802 calibre displays the seconds at 6 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock.

Quick facts – 41mm case – mechanical calibre 8802 – 25,200vph – 55-hour power reserve – from CHF 4,600

De Ville Prestige 40 mm

At 40mm, the time-and-date Prestige is slightly smaller than its “power reserve” and “small seconds” siblings. The model is powered by the automatic 8800 calibre.

Quick facts – 40mm case – mechanical calibre 8800 – 25,200vph – 55-hour power reserve – from CHF 4,100    

de Ville Prestige 34 mm

Moving to a smaller-sized model, the Prestige 34mm is powered by an automatic 8800 calibre. The dials are flat, and the date appears in a round window. At the periphery of the dial is a dotted minute track.

Quick facts – 34mm case – mechanical calibre 8800 – 25,200vph – 55-hour power reserve – from CHF 4,200

De Ville Prestige 30 mm and 27.5mm

These two ladies’ models are powered by new quartz calibres with thermo-compensation. The dotted minute track has been moved to the inner zone of the dial for the 30mm version, while there is no minute track for the 27.5mm model.

Quick facts – 30 mm and 27.5mm – quartz calibre 4061 – from CHF 2,700

For more information, please visit www.omegawatches.com.