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 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...
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...
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...
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation Automatic Watch circa 1950's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation Series METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40 "Lug Tip to Lug Tip"...
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...
Omega Rose Gold and Steel Constellation with Original Black Dial from 1950's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Reference 2852-1 METAL / MATERIAL: 14Kt. Solid Gold and Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950 / 60's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length...
Mixed Metal
1970's Omega Geneve Vintage Retro Full Size Day Date Mens Watch - Stainless Stee
By Omega
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Geneve 70s Automatic Silver Dial Day Date 37mm Case
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Omega Geneve automatic with silver dial and day/date function from the 1970s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. Measurements include a 37mm case with an inte...
Stainless Steel
Omega Geneve with date Ref 1360098 35mm Stainless Steel, c 1976
By Omega
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage Omega Geneve with date , reference 1360098 , manual winding, features a 35mm stainless steel case and crisp silver dial. Presented in superb condition for its age, there ...
Omega 1950s Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch, Silver Dial, 35mm
By Omega
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). Ref. 2317. Made in 1950’s Case th...
Stainless Steel, Silver, Steel
Vintage 1963 Omega Constellation Automatic Men's Watch Ref 166.009
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1963 Omega Constellation reference 166.009 wristwatch in stainless steel featuring a silver-tone pie-pan dial. The dial is signed “Omega Automatic Chronometer Officially Cert...
Stainless Steel
1975 Omega Geneve Vintage Mens Automatic Day Date Bracelet Watch - Stainless S
By Omega
Located in Suwanee, GA
NAMED ONE OF WATCHPRO MAGAZINE’S “HOT 100” - THE TOP 100 INFLUENCERS OF THE U.S. WATCH INDUSTRY. HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU? We’re new to offering our carefully curated collection on 1stD...
Stainless Steel
