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.
Elgin 14K Gold Open-Face Pocket Watch 21-Jewel Movement, circa 1899
By Elgin
Located in Miami, FL
A superb Elgin 14K solid gold open-face pocket watch, featuring a rare and highly desirable 21-jewel high-grade movement, circa 1899. The clean ivory dial presents bold Arabic numera...
14k Gold
Omega Silver Single Button 15 Minute Register Pocket Watch, circa 1910
By Omega
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Omega Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Open Faced / Chronograph Pocket Watch METAL / MATERIAL: 900 Silver DIMENSIONS: Diameter 55mm CIRCA: 1910 MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Manual Winding / 15 Jewels DIAL / HANDS: Enamel Dial, Breguet Style Numbers / Gold and Blued Steel Hands WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement. LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT This rare and early Omega chronograph was likely used as a scientific tool...
D 0.56 in Dm 1.93 in
Elgin Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working 15 Jewels 11066484 Year 1905, 49mm
By Elgin
Located in San Diego, CA
Elgin Pocket Watch Gold Plated Working 15 Jewels 11066484 Year 1905, 49mm This vintage Elgin pocket watch, manufactured in 1905, has a diameter of 49mm and a thickness of 14mm. The...
Gold Plate
Half Hunter Pocket Watch, 9K Yellow Gold by Dennison (H/M 1924), 15 Jewel Mvmt
Located in Canterbury, England
Our wonderful half hunter pocket watch features a 50mm (exc crown) 9k yellow gold case by Dennison (hallmarked for 1924) and is powered by a 15 jewel Lagaros A movement by Record Wat...
Elgin B.W. Raymond Pocket Watch 21 Jewels, Gold Filled
By Elgin
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Elgin B.W. Raymond open face pocket watch. 10k gold filled case. Size 16, 21 jewels with 8 adjustments. Model 20, grade 571, 3/4 plate, serial number N804928...
10k Gold, Gold-filled
Fine Slim Vintage 18kt Yellow Gold Audemars Piguet Pocket Watch, 19 Jewels
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Antwerp, BE
Fine slim Vintage 18kt Yellow Gold Audemars Piguet pocket watch. A collector watch. Movement: Beautifully toned 19 jewel 8 adjustment movement. Case: 18kt Yellow Gold, Diameter 41 mm, Dial: Goldish Dial with applied roman numerals and gold indexes. Total weight: 37.3 gram / 1.315 oz / 24 dwt Signed: Movement signed; Audemars Piguet Swiss, Nineteen 19 Jewels, Eight 8 Adjustments, Serial number. Dial signed with: Audemars Piguet Geneve...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Waltham Amn. Watch Co. Grade 18k Yellow Gold 16j Size 8s Pocket Watch
By Waltham
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely gorgeous, antique American Waltham pocket watch featuring a solid 18k gold case. The case is magnificently h...
Yellow Gold
Antique American Waltham Watch Co. Circa 1901 Brass Pocket Watch W Display Back
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Enjoy viewing the beautiful acid etched 15 jewel movement through the added display skeleton backside as this classic 1901 American Waltham Pocket Watch Model...
Brass
Omega 1970s Presentation Pocket Watch for United States Steel
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Omega Presentation Poket Watch for United States Steel, 44 M.M. Stainless Steel 3 Piece case, 17 Jewel, Mechanical, Manual wind movement. Silver Dial with Raised stick ma...
Steel
Late 19th Century Large Desk Size Nickel Pocket Watch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Cased in nickel, this hefty desk-size 70mm pocket watch is certainly impressive. With a bright brass crown, this large robust palm-size 2-5/8 inch round pocket watch has a nickel outer back case #607954 and a open front crystal display. It's interior has a back dust cover and inner movement display crystal. The 17 jewels movement is number 560749. Ornate brass hands grace the pristine white face with an easy-to-read dial of Roman numerals and minute markers. Circa 1880-1900, European maker unknown, this larger size watch...
Other
Hardy Brothers (Bros) Ltd Swiss Pocket Watch Movement, 16 jewels.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Antique Swiss Pocket Watch Movement, retailed by Hardy Bros Ltd - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane Signed to the white enamel dial, featurin...
Baume Longines Swiss Pocket Watch Movement, 30mm, # 665305.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Antique Swiss Pocket Watch Movement, by Baume Longines 30mm Movement is Swiss made, signed & numbered 665305.
Rotherhams London Pocket Watch Movement, English Made, 42mm, XIXc.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Rotherhams London Pocket Watch Movement, 42mm Signed to the porcelain dial, adorned with black painted Roman numerals, original hands sub-dial at 6 Movement is numbered
Thos Russell & Son, Liverpool Pocket Watch Movement, Premier, Swiss, 44mm, XIXc.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Swiss Made Pocket Watch Movement retailed by Thomas Russell & Son, Liverpool 44mm Signed to the porcelain dial, adorned with black painted Roman numerals, original hands sub-d...
Metal
Nicole Nielsen & Co Pocket Watch Lever Movement, retailed by Flavelle Bros Ltd.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Nicole Nielsen & Co Pocket Watch Lever Movement, English Signed “Nicole Nielsen & Co Ltd” & engraved “14 Soho Square, London” Numbered 10025 Crown wind, pin set 40mm White ena...
Gurzelen by Omega Swiss Triple Calendar Antique XIXc 50mm Open Face Pocket Watch
By Omega
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Fine & Very Rare, this pocket watch by Gurzelen by Omega dates back to late XIX century – pre-1880’s Despite the age, its in a great vintage condition & in excellent working order...
Stainless Steel
