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.
1962 Omega Seamaster De Ville Vintage Mens Cal. 562 Automatic Watch - SS 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
1969 Omega Seamaster Chronometer Large Vintage Mens Cal. 751 Watch - Stainless S
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
1967 Omega Geneve Vintage Mens Cal. 565 Automatic Watch with Black Dial - SS
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. 1967 OMEGA GENEVE Vintage Mens Cal. 565 Automatic Watch with Black Dial - Stainless Steel Gorgeous Restored Condition - Classic & Strong - 1 Year Warranty Today's offering showcases this gorgeously restored example of one of Omega's classic vintage Genève watches with handsome black pearl dial. Restored in a rich black pearl finish, it enhances the watch's naturally sporty character while remaining faithful to the clean, balanced design language that made these late-1960s Genèves so enduringly attractive. Rather than drawing attention through color, the dial impresses through subtlety. Its black pearl finish has a soft, understated sheen that gives the surface depth while avoiding the mirror-like reflections of a gloss dial. Against this dark backdrop, the wide applied baton markers become a defining design element, catching the light beautifully and giving the dial an unexpected sense of dimension. The polished hands and framed date window makes it feel purposeful, refined, and highly legible. The cases sharply sculpted, angular profile is unmistakably a product of the era, yet its clean geometry gives it an appearance that still feels remarkably current today. The combination of brushed and polished surfaces pairs naturally with the understated black dial, creating a watch that feels equally appropriate with casual attire or a sport coat. Its size is large enough to not look like an overly small vintage watch...
Stainless Steel
1969 Omega Geneve Vintage Mens Automatic Cal. 565 Dress 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
1966 Omega (Seamaster) Rare Cal. 560 Vintage Mens 10K Gold Filled & Stainless St
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...
Gold-filled, Stainless Steel
1970 Omega Geneve Vintage Mens Automatic Cal. 565 Dress 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
