It’s a celebrated part of Omega lore that the brand’s Speedmaster Professional Chronograph was the first watch to make a lunar landing. But the universal love for vintage Omega watches isn't confined to astronomers, and there’s more to the company’s heritage than the story of the Moonwatch.
The house’s origins date to 1848, when Swiss watchmaker Louis Brandt first set up shop. His sons Louis-Paul and César took over after his death, and in 1894, the pair developed an intriguing new movement.
Not only was it highly accurate, but every part was replaceable, making it easy for any professional to service. The Brandts called their movement the Omega, and as its popularity spread, they changed their company’s name to that of its flagship product.
In 1917, the British Royal Flying Corps designated Omega as an official supplier, and during World War II it became the principal watch supplier for the British forces and their allies. These commissions further strengthened Omega’s commitment to ensuring its products’ reliability under extreme conditions. In 1948, it launched the versatile Seamaster. Developed as a dive watch, the Seamaster proved its durability at high altitudes and freezing temperatures, as well. (Here is the 1stDibs guide to spotting a fake Omega Seamaster.)
Thanks in part to its rugged reputation and Omega’s links to the British military, it became James Bond’s watch of choice in 1995, appearing in GoldenEye and every succeeding Bond movie; it returned in 2021’s No Time to Die. Nevertheless, the most famous Omega by far is the Speedmaster, introduced in 1957. The first chronograph to display its tachymeter scale on the bezel instead of the dial for easier readability, it was quickly adopted by engineers and scientists.
Worn by Buzz Aldrin during the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar mission, it’s the only watch certified by NASA for extravehicular activity (space walks) — and, as far as we know, the only one approved by the Russian space agency, too.
Watch aficionados and aficionadas alike can find vintage Omega watches today on 1stDibs.
Omega Constellation – Ref. 1252.30.00 – Silver Dial – Quartz – Full Set
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Constellation – Ref. 1252.30.00 – Silver Dial – Quartz – Full Set This Omega Constellation Ref. 1252.30.00 Quartz Watch is a complete full set, accompanied by inner and outer ...
Gold, Steel
$24,000
Omega Constellation Watch
By Omega
Located in Tel Aviv - Jaffa, IL
Omega Constellation Watch 18k yellow gold
18k Gold
Omega Constellation Stainless Steel with Original Dial and Bracelet 1950s
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm Lug Tip To Lug Tip X Diame...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation with Original Dial circa 50 / 60's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation / Reference 2852 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950 / 60's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Automatic Winding / 19 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Original Dauphine Markers ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a nearly flawless example of one of Omega's legendary models, the Constellation. We have never seen a finer example of this model. It still keeps excellent original time and appears to have never really been used and was only just serviced for the first time by us. We sold this model new in the family jewelry...
Men’s Omega Day Date Constellation Watch Stainless Steel
By Omega
Located in Miami, FL
Men’s Omega Day Date Constellation Watch 34mm Stainless Steel. The watch will fit a wrist of up to 6.75 inches. Quartz movement. The XI on the bezel fell of...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Constellation Two Tone Ladies Quartz Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This Omega Constellation wristwatch is crafted in stainless steel with yellow gold accents, presenting a compact, integrated design with strong geometric influence. The case transiti...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Constellation Quartz Date 18 Karat Gold Half Bar/SS Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Omega Constellation Combination 1212.10 Watches Quartz Gold Dial Stainless Omega constellation Stainless steel and gold. Half bar gold. Quartz 34mm Head Gold Dial Two tone. No box n...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Omega Constellation 1562.30.00 – Ladies Mini Quartz 22.5mm with Omega Case
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Discreet, elegant, and unmistakably Omega, the Constellation 1562.30.00 is a beautifully compact ladies’ watch designed specifically for smaller wrists. At just 22.5mm, this “Mini” C...
Steel
Omega Constellation My Choice Stainless Steel MOP Dial Quartz Women's Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Omega Constellation “My Choice” wristwatch in stainless steel, showcasing the collection’s signature design with Roman numeral bezel and “griffes” claws at 3 and 9 o’clock. T...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation Original Dial Automatic Watch
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Constellation Chronometer METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 43mm X Diameter 34mm CIRCA: 1950's MOV...
