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.
Rolex Explorer II Steve McQueen 1655
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An Explorer II Steve McQueen vintage wristwatch. Featuring a matte black dial with a date aperture, an orange GMT hand and a fixed stainless steel 24 hour bezel. Equipped with a stai...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Explorer Precision Vintage Steel 6352
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 36mm stainless steel Explorer Precision by Rolex. Features a black dial with applied hour markers, complemented by a smooth steel bezel. Fitted with plastic glass and a sel...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Vintage Explorer II Steve McQueen Albino Mark II Dial 1655
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A rare Steve Mcqueen Rolex Explorer II labelled the albino. Hard to come by, the orange 24-hour hand the Explorer is iconically known for has fa...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 126660
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 44mm Deepsea Sea-Dweller by Rolex in Oystersteel. Featuring a black dial with a date display and a uni-directional rotatable bezel with a ceramic black insert. Equipped with an Oy...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 44mm Deepsea 116660 Sea-Dweller in Oystersteel by Rolex. Featuring a black dial concealed by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, complemented by a black ceramic unidirectional rota...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 126660
By Rolex
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A Deepsea Sea-Dweller in Oystersteel by Rolex. Featuring a black dial covered by a domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The black ceramic unidirectional rotatable bezel has 60 m...
Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m Co‑Axial Master Chronometer 41mm 220.12.41.21.01
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
The Seamaster Aqua Terra is a superb tribute to OMEGA’s rich maritime heritage. In this 41mm model, the symmetrical case has been crafted from stainless steel, with a wave-edged design featured on the back. The black dial is distinguished by a horizontal “teak” pattern which is inspired by the wooden decks of luxury sailboats. There is also a date window at 6 o'clock and rhodium-plated hands and indexes filled with white Super-LumiNova. The black strap is made from structured rubber and includes grey lining and an additional stainless steel link which integrates it to the case. This certified chronometer is powered by the OMEGA Master Chronometer...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Seamaster Diver 300m 42mm
By Omega
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, 8800 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date Case: 42mm round stainless steel case, Blue Ceramic Timing Bezel Bracelet: stainless steel Dial: Blue wave Dial Ref...
Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster 120M Divers Limited Edition Jacques Mayol Automatic SS Watch
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 1stDibs, but we have sold over 10,000 fine watches and exceptionally served thousands of customers with a 5.0 star rating. OMEGA Seamaster 120M Professional Divers Mens Limited Edition Jacques Mayol Automatic Chronometer Steel Watch - 2507.80 Gorgeous Condition - Limited Edition - 1 Year Warranty Today's offering showcases this Certified Pre-Owned Omega Seamaster 120M Professional Limited Edition Jacques Mayol automatic chronometer watch in gorgeous condition. This numbered limited edition was sold only in Japan in 2001 to commemorate the life of the French diving legend for whom the edition is named. Jacques Mayol was the holder of many world records in free diving, and the inspiration for the film The Big Blue. During his deepest descents Mayol free dove a mind boggling 345 feet (105 meters). This watch is numbered 1167. Mating beauty, class, craftsmanship and usefulness, the watch immediately stands out as a quality time piece to even the casual of observer. With its wonderful deep ocean blue dial, large hands and hour markers, and a calendar window at 3 o'clock its face possesses both a high degree of utility and style. Its dial even has 1/5 second markings for precision timing. Unlike the majority of these 120M's that have quartz movements, this watch is powered by Omega Caliber 1110 automatic movement officially certified as a chronometer that showcases the fine art of traditional watchmaking. The case measures 36mm in diameter without the crown and guards, 40mm with them. In its pre-owned form, it's an excellent value, providing greater quality in design, execution and attention to detail than is often found in watches in this under $3000 price range. It is all-original and presents in gorgeous condition - it presents as about a 9.7 out of 10. Its case presents mint. Its dial and sapphire crystal present like new. A Master Watchmaker has performed any needed servicing. It continues to run strong and true, keeping time nearly on par with a new Seamaster. For the finishing touch, we have meticulously detailed it making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Retail Replacement Value for a Similar New Seamaster: Approx. $8,000.00 USD + Tax Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center. Detailed Appraisal: Brand name: Omega Model: Seamaster 120M Limited Edition Jacques Mayol, ref. 2507.80 Features: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Automatic, Quick-Setting Date Serial no.: 80,187,045 Dial: Dark ocean blue, signed Omega, facted baton steel applique indices, luminous hour dots, outer minute/seconds track with 1/5 second markings for precision timing, original and untouched, mint condition Our photos couldn't quite do justice to the deep blue color of the dial. Movement: Caliber 1110 Automatic Chronometer. Decorated and shock resistant with a 40+ hour power reserve. Calendar: Quick-Setting Date Crown: Original Omega Water resistant depth (originally): 120M Case material: Stainless steel Case condition: Presents as mint. Case diameter: 36.25 millimeters excluding crown and guards. 40mm including crown. 43mm long lug tip-to-tip Case thickness: 11 millimeters Crystal: Sapphire, scratch-free Band material: Stainless steel with 18K gold Omega symbol...
Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 39.5mm
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Model: Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Master Chronometer Reference: 215.30.40.20.01.001 (Black dial variant) Case: 39.5mm Stainless Steel Dial: Black ceramic with white indexes...
Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual Calendar 23110432203002, Cal 8601, Year 2017
By Omega
Located in Canterbury, England
Our very rare Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual calendar 23110432203002 features a 43mm stainless steel case with stainless steel bracelet. The Annual calendar is powered by a cal 86...
OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Black Dial 232.30.46.51.01.003 Stainless Box Paper
By Rolex
Located in San Diego, CA
Style Number: 232.30.46.51.01.003 Year: 2014 Model: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Case Material: Stainless Steel Band: Stainless Steel Bezel: Black Dial: B...
