Omega has created a watch that is resistant to magnetic fields greater than 1.5 tesla (15,000 gauss), far exceeding the levels of magnetic resistance achieved by any previous watch – a problem that has challenged watchmakers for centuries.

The watch was recently introduced at the Cité du Temps in Geneva by Raynald Aeschlimann, Omega vice-president and member of Swatch Group’s Extended Group Management Board.

The new technology was fitted in an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. Unlike other efforts to combat the effects of magnetism, the Omega movement does not rely on a protective container inside the watchcase but on the use of selected non-ferrous materials in the movement itself.

Jean-Claude Monachon, also Omega vice-president and head of product development, said Nick Hayek, the chief executive officer of Swatch Group, challenged Omega to create a totally non-magnetic watch. He also said that Omega, with engineers, scientists and metallurgists from its sister companies, had met the challenge.

During the press conference, Thierry Conus featured a short film, showing how a conventional mechanical watch exposed to high levels of magnetism stopped immediately and dramatically lost its accuracy.

The Omega prototype was subjected to even higher levels of magnetism (15,000 gauss) and continued to perform. The watch was as accurate after its magnetic exposure as it had been before.

Omega intends to present the new technology at the Basle world trade fair in April.

Omega watches are exclusively available at Diamonds International in Valletta and at Portomaso.