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 De Ville Hour Vision Co-Axial Chronometer Automatic Men's Watch 431.30.41
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
A striking and modern interpretation of the De Ville collection, this Omega De Ville Hour Vision reference 431.30.41 features a deep black dial with concentric ring detailing, applie...
Stainless Steel
Omega De Ville Hour Vision 41mm Steel White Dial Men Watch 433.10.41.22.02.001
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Display model. Comes with an original box, a pictogram card, and a chronometer card. * Free Shipping within the USA * Two-year warranty coverage * 14-day return policy with a full ...
Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Wristwatch, Manual Winding, Ref 2390/5, Cal 30T2
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Omega Stainless Steel wristwatch, Manual Winding, Diameter 32.5 mm, Functions: Hour, minutes, Subsidiary seconds Movement: Mechanical Manual Winding, Ref 2390/5, Cal 30T2 Dial: Silver dial, Arabic numerals silver numerals and indexes Case: Stainless Steel case, Diameter 34.5mm x Thickness 9 mm Strap: Black with Omega buckle...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Wristwatch, Manual Winding, Cal 30T2
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Omega Stainless Steel wristwatch, Manual Winding, Diameter 32.5 mm, Reference 2390/5 Functions: Hour, minutes, Subsidiary seconds Movement: Mechanical Manual Winding, Caliber 30 T2 Dial: Silver dial, silver Arabic numerals, silver indexes Case: Stainless Steel case, diameter 32.5 mm x thickness 9.4 mm Strap: Brown leather strap with Omega buckle...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Omega Constellation Two-Tone Stainless Steel Date Quartz Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This Omega Constellation watch features a two-tone stainless steel design with yellow-tone accents, an integrated bracelet, and the signature Constellation bezel with black Roman num...
Stainless Steel
Omega Constellation Globemaster 130.33.39.21.02.001 Stainless Steel Box Paper
By Omega
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 130.33.39.21.02.001 Year: 2018 Model: Omega Constellation Globemaster Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Leather Band Bezel: Tungsten Carbide ...
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 Seamaster Stainless Steel Day-Date Automatic Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This Omega Seamaster men’s watch features a stainless steel case and matching stainless steel bracelet with a classic silver-tone dial. The dial is signed Omega Seamaster Automatic a...
Stainless Steel
$1,795
H 1.38 in W 1.38 in Dm 1.38 in
Omega Genève – Ref. 1360.104 – 35mm – Silver Dial – Cal. 1030 – Manual Wind
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Genève – Ref. 1360.104 – 35mm – Silver Dial – Cal. 1030 – Manual Wind – Full Set – 1979 Let’s be clear — this is not the cheapest Omega Genève from the 70s or 80s. But there a...
Vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville Stainless Steel Date Automatic Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville men’s watch features a stainless steel case with a signed silver-tone dial, applied baton hour markers, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The dial...
Stainless Steel
