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
Cartier Art Deco Sterling Silver Compact Case by
By Cartier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Cartier compact case in Art Deco style, circa 1930s. Sterling silver with gold gilt interior. The exterior features engraved line pattern that r...
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
$622
H 1.58 in W 3.15 in D 0.4 in
Attractive Edwardian antique sterling silver card case hallmarked in 1904
By Adie & Lovekin
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1904 by Adie & Lovekin, this attractive, Edwardian, Antique Sterling Silver Card Case, opens like a purse and is engraved on both sides with swirled a...
Sterling Silver
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
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
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
$1,770
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
Antique Sterling Silver and Erotica Enamel Cigarette Case
By Marks & Cohen
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique George V sterling silver and erotica enamel cigarette case; an addition to our diverse range of continental silverware This exceptional antique George V sterling silver and enamel cigarette case has a plain square form with rounded corners. The anterior and posterior covers of this antique silver case are plain and unembellished. This case is fitted with a plain rounded push fit catch, which when released reveals a concealed secondary cover. This hinged push fit cover is ornamented with an impressive erotica hot enamel scene depicting a female figure, partially undressed and bathing. This concealed cover opens to allow access to the hinged compartments. This impressive example of antique silverware retains the original gilt interior. Such concealed antique cases are becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition This antique cigarette...
Sterling Silver
Victorian Sterling Silver Horseshoe Vesta Case
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver vesta case in the form of a horseshoe; an addition to our equestrian related silverware collection This fine antique Victorian sterling silver vesta case is realistically modelled in the form of a horseshoe. The surface of the body is embellished with embossed decoration reproducing the details of the horseshoe accented with bands of bright cut engraved undulating decoration. This fine Vesta case is fitted with a functional revolving rowel enhanced spur wheel striker to one side. The plain shaped hallmarked hinged cover features a subtly curved thumbpiece which secures to the opposing hinge of the hallmarked serrated panel/match striker. Condition This antique horseshoe...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian Greyhound Sterling Silver Cigarette Case
By Harrison Brothers & George Howson 1
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver and enamel cigarette case; an addition to our range of silver boxes and cases. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver cigarette case has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners. This antique cigarette case has a subtly curved form proffering a comfortable fit in the majority of pockets. The anterior cover is embellished with an exceptional hot enamel scene depicting two greyhound style canines in a rural setting. The posterior surface of the case is ornamented with the contemporary engraved initials 'G.W.C.R' and the date '11th Feby 1886' The rounded sides of this cigarette case are plain and unembellished. This antique enamel cigarette case...
Sterling Silver, Enamel