Introducing: The Horage Omnium K2 Collection
During last month’s WatchPro Salon 2024 in London, we met with Horage and saw several pieces from the brand’s upcoming Omnium K2 collection. Due to a faceted crystal, these watches are a notably different take on a dress watch. I came away impressed with the creative approach.
Horage has been in business for 15 years, but the company has increased its profile during the past few. Watches like the Lensman and Microreg have received praise for innovation and affordability. The new Omnium K2 is less audacious than those releases, but it still presents a unique take on an increasingly popular genre, the dress watch.
The Horage Omnium K2 collection
The latest Horage watches arrive in 37.3mm cases crafted from 904L stainless steel, Pt950 platinum, or 18K 3N yellow gold. Dials in midnight blue, white, and pink are available for most of the case materials. The exception is that pink is reserved for the two precious metals. With a mere 43.8mm case length, the watch should fit most wrists. The movement is a key factor in the Omnium K2’s svelte 7.95mm profile, but let’s spend our time on the most intriguing design aspect.
A triple-faceted sapphire crystal
The new Omnium K2 features a triple-faceted sapphire crystal with five layers of antireflective coating on the underside. It’s a bold choice from Horage and recalls vintage tank-style watches from Patek Philippe and others. More recently, in the ’70s, brands like Rado and Seiko found wide audiences with their chiseled wares. Normally, I like a traditional crystal, but this allows the Omnium to stand out from the crowd. Plus, the design continues effortlessly onto the lugs, which have notable facets that curve toward the wrist. Overall, it’s a cool look that works in tandem with the dark blue alligator-patterned rubber strap.
A dial with three-dimensional numerals
The dials all have a frosted surface with a satin-finished small seconds register. A deeply angled rehaut serves as the minute track. Then, perhaps to counteract the depth between the dial’s surface and the crystal, molded and luminous hour numerals were chosen. On the pink dial, these are a matching pink hue. The white model has contrasting red numerals, while the navy one uses white. All models feature diamond-cut hands with white luminous inserts. The look works, but it’s a bit too whimsical for my liking. Then again, for those seeking an alternative design for a dress watch, it might do the trick.
The K2 movement inside
Horage has equipped the Omnium K2 with a micro-rotor automatic movement. The K2 caliber has a slim 2.9mm thickness and offers 72 hours of power reserve. It also boasts a chronometer certification. Unlike some micro-rotor movements with incredibly slow frequencies, the K2 runs at 25,200 vibrations per hour. It also includes modern attributes, such as a hairspring, escape wheel, and anchor in silicon.
Works on almost all wrists
The dimensions of the Omnium K2 may seem small, but the slim lugs and bezel give the watch a much larger appearance. Plus, with a 20mm lug spacing, the watch doesn’t look dainty, and it will allow for an endless choice of straps. Some will draw comparisons between this watch and the Nomos Tangente, and the cases are indeed similar. However, the Horage looks more substantial, yet it lacks the long (some would say “too long”) lugs of the Nomos.
Pricing and final thoughts on the Omnium K2
The Horage Omnium K2 has a range of prices and shipping dates. The stainless steel models are priced at CHF 4,590 and come with a steel pin buckle. These watches will begin shipping now. Yellow gold models are listed for CHF 11,990, and buyers can add an optional gold pin buckle for CHF 1,800. Finally, the platinum version costs CHF 14,990, and a white gold buckle is available for an extra fee of CHF 1,800. The precious metal pieces will start shipping in the summer of 2025.
For watches that are 98% made in Switzerland and different from the norm, these are intriguing options. But what are your thoughts on the latest models from Horage? Let us know in the comments.
