Omega? Sunglasses? I suppose this sort of diversification just gets the brand name out there a bit more. They don’t make the glasses: that’s left to Italian company Marcolin, which already makes sunglasses for Montblanc along with a long list of fashion brands. The new range will be available from the end of August 2016 in Omega boutiques, and each design incorporates something from the world of Omega watches, such as the rectangular clip-type motifs on the bezel of Constellation watches.

The Omega brand name and logo are engraved on each lens, on the bridges and the temple tips. The glasses are sold with a rigid case recalling the zebrawood used in Omega boutiques.

For a luxury watch marque, this sort of diversification has the advantage of introducing the brand to a new market area, because sunglasses cost far less than watches and so are accessible to more people. Could it damage the company’s core concept, in other words, making watches? We’ll find out soon enough: sunglasses are like fashion, with two new collections every year. If things go well, we’ll see a new collection for the upcoming winter season, or at least for spring/summer 2017.