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 Vintage Seamaster 120M stainless steel black dial quartz sports watch
By Omega
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OMEGA Vintage Seamaster 120M stainless steel black dial quartz sports watch Reference: CAWG/A00312 Brand: Omega Model: Seamaster 120M Material: Stainless Steel Color: Silver, Black P...
Omega Seamaster 120M Jacques Mayol
By Omega
Located in PARIS, FR
Discover the iconic Omega Seamaster PloProf 120M Jacques Mayol, a watch that combines legendary durability with understated elegance. Housed in a 37 mm stainless steel case, this mod...
Vintage 1966 Omega Seamaster 300 41MM X 48MM 165.024 Black Steel Automatic Watch
By Omega
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Omega Gender: Men's Metal Type: Stainless Steel Diameter: 41.00 mm x 48.00 mm Weight: 89.88 grams OMEGA Gent's stainless steel, OMEGA Swiss made wristwatch. The "OMEGA " ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster Chronostop 145.008 – 41mm Cushion Case – Manual Wind – 1968
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Seamaster Chronostop 145.008 – 41mm Cushion Case – Manual Wind – 1968 This Omega Seamaster Chronostop reference 145.008 makes no apologies for its bold design — iconic and unm...
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
Omega Seamaster Polaris GMT 3961122, 32mm, Quartz, GMT Function, c1990
By Omega
Located in Canterbury, England
Our Neo vintage and rare Omega Seamaster Polaris GMT reference 3961122 is powered by a quartz movement and has a GMT function: the 32mm (exc crown) stainless steel case has inlaid 18...
Omega Seamaster Diver 300 M Automatic Chronometer Black Dial 210.30.42.20.01.001
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This 42 mm model is crafted from stainless steel and includes a black ceramic bezel with a white enamel diving scale. The dial is also polished black ceramic and features laser-engraved waves and a date window at 6 o’clock. The skeleton hands and raised indexes are rhodium-plated and are filled with white Super-LumiNova, while the helium escape valve has been given a conical design. The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet and is driven by the OMEGA Master Chronometer...
Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster 300M Professional Ladies Divers Watch, Stainless Steel
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
Omega Seamaster Ladies Quartz Watch Ref. 2582.80.00
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
A classic Omega Seamaster timepiece that blends refined design with dependable performance. Crafted in stainless steel, this ladies quartz watch features a compact yet substantial ca...
Stainless Steel
$11,709
W 1.7 in L 1.5 in
Omega Seamaster Chrono Tri-Compax Black Dial Cal. 321 Réf. 145.006.66 Circa 1967
By Omega
Located in PARIS, FR
OMEGA Seamaster Chronograph “Black Dial” – Ref. 145.006.66 – Calibre 321 – Circa 1967 Rare and highly attractive Omega Seamaster Chronograph reference 145.006.66, produced circa 196...
Steel
