The range of compelling vintage Omega watches out there for the gettin’ is simply mind-boggling. From sub-$1,000 Seamasters from the ’50s and ’60s to provenance-confirmed, genuine-issue SBS and RAF dive watches and chronographs, there’s quite literally a vintage Omega, complete with in-house movement, to suit any budget.
Below are three beautiful and very different Omega watches, but we highly recommend you make your way over to Watchrecon to get a sense of what’s out there. It’s a rabbit hole you may never find your way out of.
Omega Seamaster Vintage Automatic Wristwatch 2576-13
What We Like: It doesn’t get much better than an iconic Seamaster, this one having been born just 4 years after the introduction of the original in 1948. This particular example, ref. 2576-13, features an early bumper automatic movement, a 34.5mm steel case and a gorgeous dial with oversized sub-seconds register. What’s more, it’s got a cool case back engraving for 25 years’ faithful service — in German, no less. Außerordentlich!
From the Seller:
Overall, the watch is in very good condition. Dial and hands are in very good condition. The hands appear to have been professionally relumed. The dials shows original radium. The watch case appears to be unpolished, or polished once very lightly. The case remains thick with equally thick lugs.
Omega Constellation ref. 2852.12SC
What We Like: The Constellation flies right under the radar — it’s quite possibly one of the coolest of all vintage watches, let alone vintage Omegas, and yet relatively few are aware of its existence. This one ticks all the boxes — it features a handsome pie-pan dial, a Chronometer-certified movement, a beads-of-rice bracelet, and, best of all, the original chronometer papers confirming the watch’s sale in Interlaken in 1959.
From the Seller: The case is in excellent condition overall, showing light wear consistent with age and use and no signs of prior polishing. Luminous silver pie-pan dial is in great condition with rich even patina and light spotting. Luminous dauphine handset shows matching patination. Signed crown.
Single Button Royal Canadian Air Force Chronograph Ref. 34/62
What We Like: Alright, not remotely affordable, but still cool as hell. What we have here is a single-pusher chronograph issued to the Royal Canadian Air Force, dating to 1960. (These watches uniquely featured a single pusher to control start, stop and reset.) Made by several companies, they featured the Lemania caliber 2221 handwound movement. Unfortunately someone polished off the RCAF numbers on the back of this one’s case back, but this doesn’t detract much from the watch’s overall appeal.
From the Seller: Excellent case with light wear from use. The watch comes with a LÉMANIA caliber 2221 hacking movement. The original RCAF numbers have been polished off by the original owner. Excellent Arabic number chronograph dial that has aged to a creamy hue. The watch comes with the original matching hands.