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, a Wood and Enamel Art Deco Eight Day Desk Clock
By Omega
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Omega. A wood and enamel Art Deco eight day desk clock Singed Omega. Polished wooden case, two polychrome enamel panels with floral and geometric motif, gilt case back, dial signed. Very good conditions. Working conditions. It just been cleaned. Rare example of these Art Deco Enamel Clocks...
Brass, Enamel
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.26 in W 9.82 in D 2.15 in
JAZ Paris 1930 Art Deco Geometric 8 Days Glass Desk Clock in Stainless Steel
By Jaz
Located in Miami, FL
A desk clock designed by Jaz Paris. A beautiful and very handsome desk clock, created in Paris France by the the clock company of Jaz during the art deco period, back in the early 1930. This very decorative piece is very hard to find has been designed with geometric art deco patterns and assembled from an octagonal beveled cranberry glass and stainless steel steeped mountings. Deceptively weighty time piece showing the quality that one expects from this maker. Movement: French mechanical wingding Jaz movement, Eleven Jewels, 8 days. The dial is round with metallic cranberry color, Arabic silver...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Art Deco Sterling Silver, Enamel, Marcasites Desk/Table Clock, DRGM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful, sterling silver, and guilloche enamel, desk/table clock with marcasites, Marked Germany / DRGM.
Sterling Silver
Art Deco French Enameled Silver Desk Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This enameled silver desk clock is unsigned, so a specific maker cannot be identified, but the case was made in France, and the movement in Switzerland in the period and style of Art Deco. The silver content of the case has not been tested, but is believed to be Continental or .800 or just under .925 sterling, The front of the clock is ornately enameled with raised bright red flowers on each corner with contrasting black and red geometric panels with green accents, which are duplicated on the sides. The hinged back opens to gain access to the winding mechanism and the high grade Swiss movement has been professionally serviced and works well. Although barely visible, the clock is stamped on the bottom with a French...
Silver, Brass
Jaeger LeCoultre World Time 8 Day Lacquered Bronze Midcentury Desk Clock
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Jaeger LeCoultre Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: World Time with Date Feature METAL / MATERIAL: Lacquered Bronze CIRCA: 1950's MOVEMENT / CALIBER: 8 Day Manually Wound DIAL / HANDS: Bronze Dial, Dauphine Hands DIMENSIONS: 6.25 inches in diameter. Round Raised back 1" to 3" ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. Jaeger LeCoultre is renowned worldwide for their technological achievements in horology. They are the quiet designers behind Cartier's European Watch and Clock...
Bronze, Brass
Art Deco Stylish Desk Clock With 8 Day Movement , English, c1930s
Located in Devon, England
A fully restored Art Deco Style desk clock in full working condition. The movement is made by Mauthe and has been fully disassembled, cleaned and reassembled back into working condit...
Brass, Chrome
$1,092
H 3.94 in W 5.32 in D 1.19 in
Art Deco Chrome 8 Day Skyscraper Desk Clock By Asprey, England, c1930
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Devon, England
Made by the iconic British Luxury Brand, Asprey. This is a genuine Art Deco period desk clock. Comes in a highly polished chrome finish. It has a Swiss 8 day movement and is in worki...
Brass, Chrome
Stunning Omega Art Deco Desk Clock c.1930s
By Omega
Located in Buffalo, NY
Very rare Art Deco desk clock with Art Nouveau applied numerals.Amazing design and quality. Manual winding 8 days movement.Tested and keeping time,, Case and movement signed Omega....
Brass, Chrome, Nickel
$895
H 3.625 in W 3.5 in D 0.125 in
Swiss Art Deco Enamel-Border 8-Day Desk Clock, c. 1925–1935 *Luminescence*
By Cartier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined small-format Art Deco desk clock with an unmistakably Swiss 8-day movement, presented in a square gilt-bronze case with a fold-out strut back. The front is framed by a cris...
Bronze, Enamel
$2,474
H 5 in W 4.75 in D 2.25 in
Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre Gilt Brass and Black Glass Eight Day Mantel Clock
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in London, GB
A stylish and unusual Art Deco Jaeger LeCoultre gilt brass and black glass eight day mantel clock. Presented by Societe Maritime J. Pequin in 1952. The clock has a circular gilded...
Brass
French Art Deco Modernist Mirror Clock 8 Day
By DEP
Located in Devon, England
Rare and stylish 1930s Art Deco modernist clock by French makers "DEP ". A eight day movement with wind up mechanism which is in perfect working order beats inside with a fairly quie...
Chrome
Art Deco Style Chrome or Silveroid Desk Timepiece
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely Art Deco style chrome or silveroid desk timepiece. Probably made circa 1980. The case is a solid circular shaped chrome or sil...
Silver Plate, Chrome
Cartier Blue Enamel Art Deco Style Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in Norwich, GB
Cartier Blue Enamel Art Deco Style Desk Clock Cartier Art Deco style desk clock housed in a blue enamel decorated case with brass strut support. Gilded...
Brass