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 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 Automatic Men's Watch
By Omega
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage Omega Seamaster Automatic Men's Watch, circa 1950's. Stainless steel watch features a vintage Speidel USA stretch band with 34mm case and champagne colored dial background. T...
Stainless Steel
Omega Seamaster 1660206 Automatic Steel Men's Watch
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Omega Model: Seamaster Reference Number: 1660206 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Automatic Case Material: Stainless steel Measurements : Case width: 35 mm....
Steel
Omega Men's Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage 1952 steel Omega manual wind 2667-2 wristwatch with strap. Caliber 420. Natural patina and slight staining to dial. All original. Length: 40.42mm...
Steel, Stainless 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 Seamaster Automatic (date), reference ST1660206 35mm Stainless Steel. 1976
By Omega
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and rare Omega Seamaster Automatic with date, reference ST1660206 features a 35mm (exc crown) stainless steel cushion style case with stainless steel bracelet. This examp...
$1,670
W 1.38 in L 1.38 in
Omega Seamaster 162002 – Stainless Steel – 35mm – Automatic Cal. 562 (1963)
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Seamaster 162002 automatic Cal. 562 vintage watch from 1963, a classic mid‑century timepiece presented in good overall condition and excellent working order. Recently serviced,...
Vintage 1957 Omega Seamaster Stainless Steel Automatic Watch Ref. 2635-10SC
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
A classic mid-century Omega Seamaster that captures the understated elegance of 1950s design. The stainless steel case is paired with a beautifully textured silver dial, giving it ad...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Stainless Steel Hand-Wind Men's Watch Ref 2605-4 Cal 265
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This vintage 1950s Omega Ref. 2605-4 features a classic 36 mm stainless steel case with distinctive spider-style lugs and is powered by the reliable Caliber 265 hand-wind movement. I...
Stainless Steel
$1,806
W 1.46 in L 1.74 in
1978 Omega Seamaster Large Vintage Mens Quartz Stainless Steel Watch with Date
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. 1978 OMEGA...
Stainless Steel
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
Omega Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wristwatch, Circa 1950, 35mm Dial
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. 2271. Made in 1950’s Case thr...
Stainless Steel, Steel
LIP Stainless Steel Chrome-Plated Top Time Chronograph manual Wristwatch, 1970s
By LIP 8
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). WITH "PANDA" DIAL Movement: 17J, ...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Lady's White Gold And Diamond Mechanical Wristwatch
Located in Firenze, IT
Period: Art Déco, 1920 ca. Lenght: 16.5 cm Weight: 25.83 gr. Material: white gold, diamonds and sapphire. The rectangular dial with Arabic numbers and arrow hour markers to a broad...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Tissot Seastar Chronograph Manual-Wind Stainless Steel Watch, 1970s
By Tissot
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). A fine and rare manual-winding stai...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Jacques Monnat 39mm Stainless Steel Diver's Chronograph, 1970s
By Jacques Monnat
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). Movement: 17J, manual wind, Valjou...
Stainless Steel, Steel
