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 Tow-Tone Manual Movement Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
OMEGA TWO-TONE MANUAL MOVEMENT WATCH 31MM -Sold as is (scrathes on the case). Vintage. -Case size: 31mm -Stainless steel & Gold plated -Case thickness:...
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
Omega Watch Gold Plated Case Suede Strap
By Omega
Located in Vannes, FR
Omega Genève Gold Plated Watch with Suede Leather Strap Discover this elegant Omega Genève watch from the 1960s, an iconic piece of vintage watch d...
Gold Plate
Omega Genève 166.041
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Genève 166.041 Vintage 1970s Gold Plated Automatic Calibre 565 34mm A timeless vintage Omega Genève 166.041, perfectly blending classic elegance with dependable Swiss engin...
Gold Plate
Vintage Omega De Ville Gold and Silver Tone Wristwatch
By Omega
Located in Portland, England
An elegant and classic Omega De Ville from the late 1980s with an original and stunning two-tone gold and silver bracelet and accompanying gold watch face. With its timeless and icon...
Gold, Silver
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 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
14 Karat Gold Omega 342 Automatic Men's Wrist Watch
By Omega
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Among the first of the automatic Omega movements, this circa 1947 fourteen karat 14K yellow gold Men's Omega Wrist Watch Model 342 is with unrestored...
Gold, 14k Gold
Omega Vintage Yellow Gold Mechanical Wrist Watch
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Omega Wrist Watch, 35 M.M. 14k Yellow Gold 3 piece case with an unusual and scarce Hinged case back. Mechanical, Manual wind 15 Jewel Nickle Lever Movement. Silver Satin ...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Omega Constellation 168.004– Calibre 561 – 35mm – Gold‑Plated Case
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Constellation 168.004– Calibre 561 – 35mm – Gold‑Plated Case A very attractive example of the Omega Constellation reference 168.004, featuring a beautiful champagne dial with g...
Steel, Gold Plate
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
Vintage Omega De Ville 1365 Gold Plated Dress Watch
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Omega Model: De Ville Reference Number: 1365 Features: Gold Plated-Golden Dial Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Quartz Case Material: Gold Plated- Stainless...
Gold Plate
Omega Genève Ref 1360102 Oversize Cal. 1030 Mens Watch
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Description Brand: Omega Model: Genève Reference Number: 1360102 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Manual Wind Cal. 1030 Case Material: Stainless steel Measuremen...
Gold Plate
Omega Classic 5115642 Vintage 9k Gold Cal 485 Ladies Watch
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Description Brand: Omega Model: 1061 Reference Number: 5115642 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Hand Winding Case Material: 9k Gold Measurements : Case width: 17 ...
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 De Ville Prestige 5951055 Steel/18K Gold Ladies watch In Original Box
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand : Omega Model: De Ville Prestige Reference Number: 5951055 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Quartz Case Material: Stainless Steel / 18K Gold Measurements :22...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Constellation Pie Pan Dog Legs with Crosshair Watch
By Omega
Located in Toronto, CA
Brand: Omega Model: Constellation Reference Number:168.005 Country Of Manufacture: Switzerland Movement: Automatic Case Material: Gold Plated & Stainless steel Measurements : ...
Stainless Steel
