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.
Ladies Omega 14K Yellow Gold Automatic Watch with Mesh Band and Gold Dial
By Omega
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ladies Omega Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Automatic Watch with Mesh Band and Gold Dial. (Pre-Owned) Pre-Owned Brand: Omega. Gender: Ladies. Dial Color: Gold. Case Back: Solid. Band Type: ...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Omega Mechanical Automatic Watch 18kt
Located in New York, NY
Geneve Ladies Watch Circa 1970's High grade Swiss Mechanical Movement Working Order. 7 inch Wearable Length 36 grams 17mm diameter case
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Omega 10382 17mm 14K Gold Fluted Bezel Manual Wind Ladies Watch
By Omega
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Omega ladies dress watch in 14K yellow gold featuring a round case with a fluted sunburst bezel, silver-tone Clous de Paris textured dial with gold dot hour markers and gold ...
14k Gold
Omega Ladymatic 14K Yellow Gold Automatic Womens Watch
By Omega
Located in Westport, CT
An original vintage Omega Ladymatic 14K yellow gold automatic ladies wristwatch. The watch features a 14K yellow gold case with a matching flexible bracelet, offering a refined and c...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Ladies Diamond Yellow Gold Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Stamford, CT
Ladies late 1960's Omega diamond dress wristwatch. Crafted in 18k yellow gold accented with a 24 round cut diamonds along the bezel which are set in 18k white gold. Solid Omega mesh band. 24 round diamonds, G-VS approx. .48cts 18k yellow gold 56 grams Length: 14.12mm Width: 14.11mm Band width at case: 14mm Case thickness: 7.61mm Dial: gold Inside case: 750 8107 808828 Movement: Omega 484...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Omega 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Cocktail Watch
By Omega
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
An exceptional vintage Omega diamond cocktail watch crafted in 18K yellow gold, showcasing remarkable brilliance and refined Swiss design. The watch features a striking black dial a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold Vintage Omega Manual Ladies Watch
By Omega
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Ladies Omega Watch in 18K Gold This timeless vintage Omega watch is crafted entirely from 18K gold, showcasing classic elegance and preci...
18k Gold
French, 1960s, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Omega Lady's Watch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Watch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. The case is round, the golden bottom slightly pricked marked "Omega Swiss Made". The back is numbered 4...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Lady's 14 KT Yellow Gold Woven Wristwatch Circa 1977
By Omega
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Omega watch is composed of 14 KT yellow gold. Features woven patterned watch straps. A beautiful classic design, with an adjustable closure. In excellent working condition. Vin...
14k Gold
$16,444Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.26 in W 0.81 in D 0.05 in L 7.5 in
Men's Vintage Omega 14 Karat Yellow Gold Rectangular Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This vintage men's Omega wristwatch is crafted in solid 14 karat yellow gold and showcases a sleek, refined design that reflects the understated elegance of mid-century Omega timepie...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940 Omega 14KT Gold Sub-Seconds Dress Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vintage Omega dress watch from circa 1940 exemplifies the understated sophistication and precision craftsmanship that defined Swiss watchmaking during the era. The watch...
14k Gold
Vintage 1970 Jaeger-LeCoultre Club 18KT Gold Rectangular Bracelet Watch
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1970 Jaeger-LeCoultre Club is housed in a 14.5mm x 21mm 18KT yellow gold rectangular case on a matching integrated textured bracelet. The gold-tone dial carries baton ho...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Bucherer 18KT Yellow Gold Rectangular Dress Watch – Manual Wind
By Bucherer
Located in New York, NY
A refined 1970s Bucherer dress watch, featuring a 27mm x 22mm rectangular 18KT yellow gold case, embodying the understated elegance of the era. The pearlized dial is adorned with sle...
18k Gold
Vintage 1955 LeCoultre Ref. 3036 14KT Gold Sub-Seconds Dress Watch
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1955 LeCoultre Ref. 3036 is housed in a 32.5MM 14KT yellow gold case with a silver dial and applied gold stick markers. A sub-seconds register sits at 6 o'clock, adding ...
14k Gold
Vintage 1930s Zenith Jumbo 18KT Gold Curved Rectangular Art Deco Dial
By Zenith
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1930s Zenith wristwatch is housed in an oversized 48.5MM x 26MM 18KT yellow gold curved rectangular case, built to the "Jumbo" proportions collectors seek from the era. ...
18k Gold
Vintage Circa 1940 Hamilton 14KT Yellow Gold-Filled Curved Watch – Manual Wind
By Hamilton
Located in New York, NY
A classic circa 1940 Hamilton dress watch, featuring a 28mm x 33mm curved 14KT yellow gold-filled case, designed for a refined and comfortable fit. The silver dial is elegantly adorn...
14k Gold
