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 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 Seamaster 1972 Automatic Silver Honywell Stamped Dial Gold Capped
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Omega seamster De Ville automatic date with a silver “Honeywell” stamped dial from 1972 ( a corporate stamp, likely for a gift). Keeps great time and is fully functi...
Vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville Stainless Steel Automatic Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Omega’s Seamaster De Ville design brings together refined dress-watch styling and classic Swiss automatic craftsmanship. This vintage stainless steel watch features a warm champagne-...
Stainless Steel
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 Seamaster De Ville Stainless Steel Date Automatic Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville men’s watch features a stainless steel case with a signed silver-tone dial, applied baton hour markers, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The dial...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville Stainless Steel Automatic Men's Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville automatic wristwatch featuring a stainless steel case, silver-tone dial, gold-tone applied hour markers, and matching gold-tone hands. The dial is si...
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 Seamaster 2846 / 2848 – Gold Plated – 34mm – Vintage Automatic 1958
By Omega
Located in London, GB
A very fine example of a vintage Omega Seamaster, beautifully preserved with an even, natural patina that adds just the right amount of vintage character without detracting from its ...
9k Gold
$1,794
H 1.38 in W 1.38 in Dm 1.38 in
Omega Seamaster – Ref. 2846 1958 – Honeycomb Dial – Cal. 503 – Automatic –
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Seamaster – Ref. 2846 (Calendar) – Honeycomb Dial – Cal. 503 – Automatic – 1958 A recently serviced Omega Seamaster Ref. 2846 (Calendar), this mid‑century classic stands out wi...
Omega Seamaster De Ville Date Automatic Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This Omega Seamaster De Ville men’s watch features a polished stainless steel case with a silver-tone dial, applied baton hour markers, and a date window at 3 o’clock. The dial is si...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Seamaster Ref. 176.007 Chronograph Men's Watch
By Omega
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Omega Seamaster Ref. 176.007 Chronograph Men's Watch - Chronograph wristwatch with registers, 24-hour indication and date. Seamaster. Stainless steel automatic cushion form (...
Rolex Date 1503 Men's Yellow Gold Sigma Dial Watch
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Date 1503 Men's Yellow Gold Sigma Dial Watch - Automatic winding, acrylic crystal. Yellow gold case with fluted bezel ( 34 mm diameter). Champagn...
Rolex Ladies Datejust Steel & Gold Watch 69173
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Ladies Datejust Steel & Gold Watch 69173 - Automatic winding, 29 jewels, Quickset date, sapphire crystal. Datejust. Stainless steel case with fluted bezel (26mm). Silver dial w...
Vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision Stainless Steel Midsize Watch Ref 6266
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Rolex Oysterdate Precision Stainless Steel Midsize Watch Ref 6266 - Manual wind. Oysterdate Precision. Original stainless steel screw back Oyster case 30mm x 36mm; Triple sig...
Rolex Ladies Datejust Steel & Gold Watch 69173
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Rolex Ladies Datejust Steel & Gold Watch 69173 - Automatic winding, 29 jewels, Quickset date, sapphire crystal. Datejust. Stainless steel case with fluted bezel (26mm). Champagne...
Men's Rolex Datejust Steel & Gold 2-Tone Watch 16013
By Rolex
Located in Dallas, TX
Men's Rolex Datejust Steel & Gold 2-Tone Watch 16013 - Automatic winding, 27 jewels, Quickset, acrylic crystal. Datejust. Stainless steel case with 18K yellow gold Fluted bezel (36mm...
