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 Swiss Sterling Silver Vintage Case
By Omega
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Omega Vintage 800 Sterling Silver Swiss Box Original Omega presentation box, a vintage piece from the mid-20th century. Crafted from period materials with the brand's signature logo ...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Sterling Silver Compact and Card Case
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a beautifully crafted Art Deco period Sterling Silver Lady's Compact or necessaire. This stunning engraved and monogrammed compact opens to reveal a sterling silver interior with fittings for two different types of coins and a covered powder dispenser...
Sterling Silver
$1,600
H 3.75 in W 2.75 in D 0.33 in
Stunning English Regency Sterling Silver & Tortoiseshell Card Case, Circa 1815
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Stunning English Regency Sterling Silver & Tortoiseshell Card Case, circa 1815 This exceptional English Regency card case, dating to the early 19th century (circa 1810–1825), exempl...
Metal, Sterling Silver
Smart Antique English Sterling Silver Cigar Case / Box
By William Hair Haseler
Located in Bath, GB
A very handsome top-quality four finger cigar case or box made from a heavy gauge of solid English sterling silver weighing 151 grams / 4.86 Troy Ounces. The case is in near mint co...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver and Enamel Sentry Vesta Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel sentry vesta case; an addition to our range of collectable silver cases. This exceptional an...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Swiss Silver card case by A.D.A.R., 1920s
Located in Delft, NL
Swiss Silver card case by A.D.A.R., 1920s A silver card case by A.D.A.R. (Ateliers d'Art decoratif Réunies SA) Switzerland. A rectangular case with a motif of ribbon on each corner ...
Sterling Silver
Nathaniel Mills Victorian Sterling Silver Card Case
By Nathaniel Mills
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver card case made by Nathaniel Mills; an addition to our range of collectable silverware This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver card case has a rectangular shaped form. The surface of this collectable card case is embellished with fine and impressive chased and embossed scrolling leaf and floral decoration on a matte background. The anterior surface of the case incorporates the Scott Monument depicted in relief. The decoration to the reverse of the case incorporates a shaped, scroll bordered cartouche displaying the contemporary engraved initals 'MVFT'. The shaped sides of this piece are embellished with plain scrolling borders. This antique silver card case...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,794
H 2.2 in W 2.3 in D 0.6 in
Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Combination Sovereign or Vesta Case
By Thomas Hayes
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver combination sovereign or vesta case, an addition to our diverse box and case collection. This exceptional antique Victorian English sterling silver combination vesta or sovereign case has a subtly domed rectangular, rounded form. The anterior and posterior surfaces of this silver case are plain and unembellished. This antique Victorian sterling silver sovereign case is fitted with a hinged hallmarked push fit cover allowing access to the hallmarked sprung sovereign holders...
Sterling Silver, Silver
$895
H 5.5 in W 3.5 in D 0.38 in
Large English Sterling Silver Cigarette Case Birmingham 1956 H. Pidduck
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Large English sterling silver cigarette case Birmingham 1956, H. Pidduck and Sons. Unusual engine turned decoration design both exterior and ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Megillah Case
By Zaramella Argenti 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We don’t get excited too often by sterling silver Judaica but this piece is worth it. A Megillah is the scroll that tells the story of Esther and how she saved her people (Jews) from annihilation. The story is read on Purim and a scroll is used in the synagogue to read aloud. This sterling silver case is used to store the Megillah. Here we have a Megillah case...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Card Case by Cronin & Wheeler, 1850
By Cronin & Wheeler
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver commemorative card case featuring The Crystal Palace; an addition to our range of collectable silverware...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Edwardian Sterling Silver and Enamel Vesta Case by Steinhart, 1904
By Steinhart & Co.
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Edwardian sterling silver and enamel vesta case; an addition to our enamal and silverware collection This exceptional and rare antique Edwardian sterling silver vesta case has a plain rectangular rounded form. The anterior surface is embellished with four desirable and impressive hot enamel panels depicting: a luxurious early-twentieth century car, three playing cards, a champagne bottle and a female portrait. The posterior surface of this antique vesta case is plain and unembellished. This unusual silver and enamel vesta case has a hinged hallmarked cover which incorporates a plain thumbpiece to the anterior edge and bears a ring loop attachment to the hinge. The underside of the case incorporates an integrated serrated panel/match striker. Condition This antique silver vesta...
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Edwardian Sterling Silver Cigar Case, John Rose, Birmingham, 1908
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Elegant English sterling silver cigar case, finely hand-engraved with scrolling foliate decoration. The case accommodates four cigars and features a gilded interior. Hallmarked Birmi...
Silver