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 Seamaster 18k Gold Omega Automatic SEAMASTER 35mm
By Omega
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Vintage Omega Seamaster 18k Yellow Gold Case. (Marked on the Back) Ref. 9133 Manual Windup Mechanism Stainless Steel Stretch Band. Circa 1950s Condition: Works and keeps time. Exce...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Seamaster 600 ref 135.011 Gold-Plated Vintage Manual Caliber 601 Watch
By Omega
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This versatile vintage timepiece by Omega features: Rounded S/Steel Gold-Plated case, measuring 34mm, Case back is signed & bearing a Seamaster logo, numbered ref. 135.011...
Gold Plate, Steel
18k Yellow Gold Omega Seamaster De Ville Men Watch
By Omega
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an 18k yellow gold Omega Men Watch. It is a Seamaster De Ville model. It is known as an elegant dress watch. It has a manual winding movemen...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Seamaster De Ville Automatic Day-Date Vintage Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in London, GB
A classic vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville wristwatch, featuring an automatic movement with day-date display. The watch is housed in an elegant gold-plated case, showcasing the refin...
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Two Tone Seamaster Quartz Watch Ref. 1960134
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Omega’s refined Seamaster design takes on a distinctive vintage character in this two tone quartz reference 1960134. The watch features a champagne-tone dial with applied hour marker...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Rare Omega De Ville Yellow 18k Gold Co-Axial Chronometer Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Type: Rare Omega De Ville 18K Yellow Gold Co-Axial Automatic Chronometer, Full Set, Ref. 413.30.00, Circa 2001 Signed: Omega on dial, case, crown, movement, and deployment clasp Mode...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Omega Constellation Quartz Date 18 Karat Gold Half Bar/SS Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Omega Constellation Combination 1212.10 Watches Quartz Gold Dial Stainless Omega constellation Stainless steel and gold. Half bar gold. Quartz 34mm Head Gold Dial Two tone. No box n...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
18K Gold Vintage Omega Automatic Chronometre 36mm Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Miami, FL
A distinguished 18K gold Omega Automatic Chronometre wristwatch, dating to circa 1950 — an exceptionally fine early chronometer-grade example from Omega’s golden age of mechanical cr...
18k Gold
Omega 18 Karat Yellow Gold Men's Dress Wrist Watch with Box
By Omega
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Bold, all in 18 Karat Yellow Gold, this sleek Omega Men's Dress Wrist Watch evokes the revered elegance and style of its era. Circa mid 1960's, this retro Omega beauty has an Swiss automatic movement #23162809. The satin polished gold square case #161922-222, measuring 29.6mm x 30mm presents a silver-toned face with gold match stick markers. The lush integrated 18 karat gold 7.5 inch mesh band bracelet is a substantial 1.36mm gauge and ranges in width from 24mm to 16.5mm. The time piece is finished with an integrated Omega signed adjustable fold-snap buckle adding to its smooth styling. Included is the original burgundy Omega Watch Box.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Vintage Seamaster XVI Olympic Games Melbourne 2580
By Omega
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 34mm yellow gold Melbourne Olympic Games XVI Seamster by Omega. Featuring a champagne dial that has developed a spider effect over time. The case back features a design of ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Stainless Steel Speedmaster Moonwatch 42mm
By Omega
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: manual wind, 3861 Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph Case: 42mm round stainless steel case, black tachymeter bezel Bracelet: stainless steel bracelet, deployme...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Speedmaster Gray Dial 38mm
By Omega
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: automatic, 3330 Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph Case: 38mm round stainless steel case, smooth bezel, black aluminum tachymeter Bracelet: brown leather...
Stainless Steel
Breitling 18 Karat Yellow Gold Windrider Crosswind 39mm
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: automatic Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph, tachymeter Case: 39mm, 18K yellow gold case, yellow gold rider tabs, push/pull crown, sapphire crystal, yell...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Patek Philippe 18K Yellow Gold Calatrava 35mm
By Patek Philippe
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: Automatic, 27-460M Function: hours, minutes, seconds, month, date Case: 35mm round 18K yellow gold case, fixed bezel Dial: champagne index dial Band: 18K yellow gold mesh b...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Franck Mueller 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tonneau Curvex 22mm
By Franck Muller
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: quartz Function: hours, minutes Case: 22mm 18K yellow gold case, fixed bezel Band: 18K yellow gold 5-link bracelet with deployment clasp Dial: Silver guilloche Arabic dial ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Breitling Stainless Steel Colt Lady Diamond Bezel 33mm
By Breitling
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Movement: quartz, Cal. 77 Function: hours, minutes, seconds, date Case: round 33mm stainless steel, diamond bezel, rider tabs Bracelet: stainless steel Dial: silver index, Arabic 6-1...
Diamond, Stainless Steel
