here are many Omega watches widely considered as state-of-the-art pieces, but here is the cream of the crop that every watch aficionado wishes to own.
Known for their sporty chronographs, professional dive watches, and co-axial movements, Omega is arguably one of the leading Swiss watch brands. Its impressive history dates back to 1932 when the Swiss watchmaker cemented its spot as the official timekeeper of the Olympic games up to this date. In 1969, the Omega Speedmaster was also the first watch worn on the moon.
There are many Omega watches widely considered as state-of-the-art pieces, but here is the cream of the crop that every watch aficionado wishes to own.
5 Iconic Omega Vintage Watches
1. Omega Speedmaster Professional
The Omega Speedmaster Professional is by far one of the most popular Omega watches. Characterized by its precision, readability, and robustness, the Omega Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch” also earned its title during the historic moment when Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon wearing a Speedmaster in 1969. Since then, an Omega Speedmaster has been worn for every one of NASA’s piloted missions.
The Omega model quickly multiplied into many variations over the years. And while it was nicknamed the “Moonwatch”, it was not until recently that Omega offered a Speedmaster with a moon phase complication. However, from the first edition made in 1957 to the newer models, every one of Omega Speedmaster Professionals is a piece of history on the wrist – an infinitely classic timepiece.
2. Omega Constellation Grand Luxe
As the name suggests, the Grand Luxe editions were considered to be the most high-end model in the collection. Omega introduced the Constellation in 1948 to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the Biel watch factory. The Constellation then took reign as the flagship of the Omega manufacture in the 1950s due to its fine precisions and superb in-house movements, and is considered a unique timepiece that captured the hearts of many vintage Omega watch collectors. The famed brick-like designed bracelet of the Constellation Grand Luxe later inspired the bracelets later used on the De Ville Co-Axial models.
In the 1970s, the Constellation collection was re-designed and reintroduced in 1982 as the Constellation “Manhattan,” with the famous “claws” that pressed on the sapphire crystal. The new constellation watches features a whole different aesthetic, hence, making the Constellation watches from the 1950s and 1960s even more sought after and rare.
3. Omega Seamaster Ploprof
Designed and developed solely for professional use, the Omega Seamaster Ploprof was introduced on the market in 1971. This watch, better known by the abbreviation “PloProf”, has broken all the conventional rules of a regular timepiece. It featured a large, red button that was used as a safety lock for the bezel. The crown system was also given an interesting touch by using a crown-locking nut. With all these additional safety features, this unique timepiece was water resistant up to an impressive 600 metres. In 2009, Omega introduced a re-edition of this famous model with an upgrade to a water resistance of 1,200 meters. To the relish of watch enthusiast, the new edition of Ploprof features the exact same in-house-developed Caliber 8500 movement as the original edition.
4. Omega Marine
This is the first Omega watch specifically designed and qualified for diving, debuting in 1932. The rectangular structure is symbolical to the Swiss watchmakers’ passion for innovation at the time – A clever case construction that made possible for the watch to be under water during diving and swimming activities. More a scientific art piece than a watch, the watch features a waterproof crown located at 12 o’clock and was fully contained in the case, held together by a little flip lock to make sure the watch face was firmly enclosed within the case pieces. As the watch submerged, the air pressure inside the case would remain constant while the water pressure outside the watch increased, accentuating the force on the gasket and making the seal more watertight.
Having gone through many diving tests with famous divers, the watch had proven an incredible feat of sustaining each test with success, representing a substantial progress in watchmaking science.
5. Omega Seamaster Professional 300M
This 1993 Seamaster Professional 300M was famously dubbed “the James Bond watch.” Introduced in 1993, this is the watch that put Omega on the horological map for a younger audience after starring in the 1995 James Bond film, Goldeneye.
With its helium-release valve at 10 o’clock, screw-down crown, blue wave-patterned dial and blue bezel, it is a very recognizable Omega for many, a watch that probably will remain an Omega classic in years to come.
