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 Vintage Stainless Steel Manual Wind Wrist Watch
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960 Omega Wrist Watch, 35 MM Stainless Steel 3 piece Water Proof case, 17 Jewel Mechanical, Manual wind movement, Excellent, mint condition, Silver Satin dial with raised and Gold Foil impressed markers. New Black Lizard Grain Leather strap, watch length 8 3/4 inches. A very clean, seldom worn watch, triple Omega signed...
Stainless Steel
Omega Stainless Steel Wristwatch, Manual Winding, Cal 30T2
By Omega
Located in Antwerp, BE
Omega Stainless Steel wristwatch, Manual Winding, Diameter 32.5 mm, Reference 2390/5 Functions: Hour, minutes, Subsidiary seconds Movement: Mechanical Manual Winding, Caliber 30 T2 Dial: Silver dial, silver Arabic numerals, silver indexes Case: Stainless Steel case, diameter 32.5 mm x thickness 9.4 mm Strap: Brown leather strap with Omega buckle...
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
$2,100
W 1.26 in D 0.36 in Dm 1.42 in
Omega Ω Stainless Steel Men's Automatic DeVille Watch w/ Date 166.033
By Omega
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Movement #565 Movement Serial #307684XX Year: 1969 Case #166.033 Stainless Steel Round Case 34 mm in Diameter (36 mm w/ Crown) Lug-to-Lug Distance = 32 mm Lug-to-Lug Width = 18 mm T...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Vintage 1950 Omega Stainless Steel Manual Wind Watch Ref. 2540-7
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Vintage circa 1950 Omega wristwatch featuring a 33mm stainless steel case and a heavily patinated dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock...
Stainless Steel
Omega Turler Watch in Steel, 1960s
By Omega
Located in New York, NY
Here's a vintage Omega manual wind silver textured Turler dial from the 1960s. Measurements include a 34mm case and 18mm lug width. It's on aftermarket grey leather strap (Made in It...
Steel
$1,231
H 1.23 in W 1.23 in Dm 1.23 in
Omega Genève 136.018 – 1965 – Small Size – Manual Wind Calibre 601
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Genève 136.018 – 1965 – Small Size – Manual Wind Calibre 601 A beautiful small‑sized vintage Omega in outstanding condition and excellent working order. Dated to 1965 by the se...
Omega Vintage – 1960 – Manual Wind – 34mm – Serviced
By Omega
Located in London, GB
Omega Vintage – 1960 – Manual Wind – 34mm – Serviced A fine example of a classic 1960 Omega manual wind, presented in excellent overall condition following a recent in‑house service....
Vintage Omega Stainless Steel Hand-Wound Wristwatch circa 1960
By Omega
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Omega Stainless Steel Hand-Wound Wristwatch circa 1960 A timeless example of mid-century Swiss watchmaking, this vintage Omega watch dates from the early 1960s and embodies ...
Stainless Steel
$2,200
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 #298106XX Year: 1969 Case #166070 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
Omega Nickel Silver and Rose Gold Oversized Art Deco Watch from 1930's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Pocket Wrist Conversion / Reference MA3306 METAL / MATERIAL: Nickel Silver and Gold CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 50mm X Diameter 44mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: 2 Tone Silver with Breguet Styled Numerals / Breguet Style Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Alligator, 19mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This oversize wrist watch...
J.W. Benson Sterling Silver Military Style Hand Made Watch from 1915
By JW Benson London
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: J.W. Benson STYLE / REFERENCE: Campaign Style / Wire Lugs METAL / MATERIAL: Sterling Silver CIRCA / YEAR: 1915 DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 32mm x Diameter 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Breguet Style Numbers / Breguet Style Blued Steel Hands ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: Leather Wire Lugs 12mm / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT J.W. Benson were the jewelers and watchmakers to the British Royalty...
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation Original Dial Automatic Watch
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Round Constellation Chronometer METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 43mm X Diameter 34mm CIRCA: 1950's MOV...
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 Steel De ville Automatic Curvex Style, circa 1970s
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Moderne / Ref. 155006 METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA: 1970's DIMENSIONS: Length 50mm x Width 27mm MOVEMENT / CALIBER:...
Omega Stainless Steel Constellation Automatic Watch circa 1950's
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Constellation Series METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 40 "Lug Tip to Lug Tip"...
Stainless Steel
