Omega Seamaster 120m Automatic Chronograph 1971 a.k.a. Big Blue
About the Item
- Creator:Omega (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 0.67 in (1.7 cm)Width: 1.86 in (4.7 cm)Depth: 2.05 in (5.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1971
- Condition:Replacements made: The Seamaster has been overhauled by Omega in Switzerland. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Weesp, NL
- Reference Number:
Omega
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Weesp, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 1985 Think Big!, Huge Safety PinBy Think BigLocated in Weesp, NLHuge safety pin 1985 Think Big! This rare Pop Art piece is in great condition. No cracks or damage. Think Big! was a retail store originally established in New York City in 1979. It...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Wall-mounted Sculptures
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Botanical Ceramic Educational Blooming Hazelnut IntersectionBy Osterloh ModellLocated in Weesp, NLBeautiful Mid-Century Modern hand painted ceramic intersection of a blooming Hazelnut, Corylus Avellana. This rare sculptural piece is in great condition as can be seen in the images. Made in Leipzig, German Democratic Republic...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Models and Miniatures
MaterialsCeramic
- Swiss Air Boeing 747 Chrome Plated AshtrayBy BuhlerLocated in Weesp, NLPresenting the Ultimate Collectible: Rare Mid-Century Modern Swiss Air Ashtray with a Boeing 747 Model! Imagine owning a piece of aviation history an...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Aviation Objects
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Chrome
- Rare Mid Century Swiss Air DC 4 Chrome Plated AshtrayBy BuhlerLocated in Weesp, NLIntroducing a Collector's Dream: Rare 1960s Swiss Air Chrome-Plated Ashtray with a DC-4 Airplane Model! Are you ready to own a piece of aviation history that's not just functional b...Category
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Aviation Objects
MaterialsBrass, Chrome, Iron
- Three Beautiful Ceramic Tobacco Pots Made by the Royal Goedewaagen, HollandLocated in Weesp, NLTobacco Pots made in Gouda, the Netherlands by the Royal Goedewaagen in 1940. The pots are handmade, turned by hand, of so-called German Westwaldclay...Category
Vintage 1940s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsClay
- Midcentury MiG-17 High Subsonic Fighter Airplane ModelLocated in Weesp, NLRare midcentury chrome-plated brass MiG-17 fighter jet airplane model. The MiG-17 was first build in the USSR in 1952. Though the MiG-17 still strongly resembles its forebear, it had an entirely new thinner and more highly swept wing and tailplane for speeds approaching Mach 1...Category
Vintage 1950s Russian Mid-Century Modern Aviation Objects
MaterialsBrass
- Big Eye Japanese Navy Nikon 20 × 120 BinocularsLocated in Eindhoven, NLLarge and powerful binoculars made by the Japanese company Nikon in the 1950s An elegant and stylish piece for the study or library, and very suitable to take on board your yacht. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Japanese Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsAluminum
- Rare Vintage 1960's Omega De Ville Swiss Made 18k Gold Plated Ladies WatchBy OmegaLocated in London, GB1969 Omega De Ville mechanical watch, with deep blue sea dial, 18K gold plated watch case, original strap and applied hour markers at the cardinal positions 3,6,9 & 12. The watch ...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold Plate
- Mid-Century Era 9 Karat Yellow Gold Men's Omega Wristwatch with Boxes & PapersBy OmegaLocated in Hamilton, OntarioThis 9-karat yellow gold men's wristwatch was made by the highly renowned Omega watch company of Switzerland in approximately 1965 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The watch is in new/old stock condition showing no scratches or significant wear or damage to the face, the lugs, crystal or crown and retains its original elasticized metal gold toned band. The watch is complete with its instruction manual and warranty papers and both it's inner red leather bound box...Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsMetal, Gold
- Omega Ladies Watch, 18-Karat Oval Gold Linked Bracelet Braided DesignBy OmegaLocated in Toledo, OHBeautiful ladies Omega 18-karat winding gold watch. This is an unusual watch with oval braided gold links making a bracelet. The dial is in excellent sha...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Collectible Jewelry
MaterialsGold
- Big HeatLocated in London, GBOriginal US movie poster for Fritz Lang's 1953 Film Noir staring Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame.Category
Vintage 1950s American Posters
- Big KnifeLocated in London, GBOriginal American style a movie poster for Robert Aldrich's 1955 drama starring Jack Palance, IDA Lupino, Rod Steiger. The poster is conservation paper b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Posters
MaterialsPaper