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 Constellation Stainless Steel with Original Dial and Bracelet 1950s
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm Lug Tip To Lug Tip X Diame...
Stainless Steel
Omega Constellation Pie Pan Dial Cream Patina
By Omega
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Rare Omega Constellation Stainless Steel Ref. 168.005, 23 million serial number, circa 1966. Calibre 561 movement. Case measuring 3...
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1963 Omega Constellation Stainless Steel Pie Pan Dial Automatic Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
A highly collectible example of Omega's flagship chronometer line, this 1963 Constellation features a stainless steel case and the iconic pie pan dial that has become one of the bran...
Stainless Steel
Omega Constellation Chronometer Stainless Steel Date Automatic Men’s Watch
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Omega Constellation men’s watch features a stainless steel case and matching Omega bracelet with a classic silver-tone dial. The dial is marked “Automatic Chronometer Of...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation with Original Dial circa 50 / 60's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation / Reference 2852 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950 / 60's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Automatic Winding / 19 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Original Dauphine Markers ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a nearly flawless example of one of Omega's legendary models, the Constellation. We have never seen a finer example of this model. It still keeps excellent original time and appears to have never really been used and was only just serviced for the first time by us. We sold this model new in the family jewelry...
Vintage Omega Geneve, Automatic English made Dennison Stainless case
Located in Peshawar, PK
Original Omega Geneve Watch. Case Height 43mm Case diameter 38mm l get the watches from First Hand Users. The Watches have never been opened İns...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Omega Geneve 70s Automatic Silver Dial Day Date 37mm Case
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Omega Geneve automatic with silver dial and day/date function from the 1970s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. Measurements include a 37mm case with an inte...
Stainless Steel
OMEGA Ultra-Slim Steel Quartz Dress Watch – Top Condition (Box & COA)
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Omega Quartz Wristwatch, Steel Case, Silver Dial, Unisex, Swiss Made, Top Condition Ultra-slim (5.9 mm) Omega dress watch in top condition. Features a silver dial with applied marke...
Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation with Original Dial circa 50 / 60's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation / Reference 2852 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950 / 60's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 42mm X Diameter 35mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Automatic Winding / 19 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Original Silvered with Original Dauphine Markers ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 18mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This is a nearly flawless example of one of Omega's legendary models, the Constellation. We have never seen a finer example of this model. It still keeps excellent original time and appears to have never really been used and was only just serviced for the first time by us. We sold this model new in the family jewelry...
$2,000
W 1.62 in D 0.4 in Dm 1.42 in
Omega Men's Stainless Steel Automatic Geneve Watch w/ Date Leather Band 565
By Omega
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Movement #565 Serial #289443XX Year: 1969 Case #166.041 Stainless Steel Round Case 34 mm in Diameter (36 mm w/ Crown) Lug-to-Lug Distance = 41 mm Lug-to-Lug Width = 18 mm Thickness ...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Geneve "Supreme"14k White Gold & Diamond Ladies Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally scrutinized and serviced prior to being offered for sale. Gold Content: 14k yellow gold, total gold weight 36.1 grams....
Diamond, White Gold
Rolex Oyster Precision with Rare 3-6-9 Black Dial, Ref. # 6427
By Rolex
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Rolex Oyster Precision with Rare 3-6-9 Ref. # 6427 Similar to the Rolex Ref. #1016 Manual winding Year of production 1968 Movement Manual winding Caliber/movement 1225 Number...
Stainless Steel
Concord 18k Gold & Diamond Ladies Watch Ref. #51.25.160, Mother of Pearl Dial
By Concord Watch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Concord 18k Gold & Diamond Ladies Watch Ref. 51.25.160 Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally scrutinized and serviced prior to being offered for sale. 1.3...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Ladies Rolex Precision 18K Ref. #2604 1950's Champagne Dial, Cal. # 1400
By Rolex
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage Ladies Rolex Precision 18K Ref. # 2604, 1950's Champagne Dial, Cal. # 1400 Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally ...
18k Gold
Vintage Alsta Inca Bloc Chronograph 1960's Ref. # 732, Valjoux Caliver #7730
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage Alsta Incabloc Valjoux Chronograph 1960's Ref. 732 Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally scrutinized and serviced prior to being offered for sale. Min...
Stainless Steel
Rolex Steve McQueen Explorer II "Freccione" Ref. #1655 Straight Hand Watch, 1971
By Rolex
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Brand: Vintage Rolex Model: Explorer II * UNPOLISHED* Year: 1971 Serial number: 327xxxxx Reference: #1655 Case: Show normal sign of wear with no sign of polish from previous; inner ...
Stainless Steel
