Pre-Owned Omega by Analog Shift Seamaster 40960070/AS05631

Why We Love It

The Seamaster debuted in 1948, and has its roots in watches Omega supplied to the RAF during the Second World War. These robust and waterproof watches proved so popular—and so effective—that Omega was inspired to release a line intended for civilian use. By the 1950s the line had expanded to encompassed both purpose-driven dive watches (such as the Omega Seamaster 300) and chronographs.

Aficionados of vintage Omega chronographs already know the Omega Speedmaster. The history, the lore, the fact that it went to the moon. Its reputation is such that Omega's chronograph offerings in its other lines are often overlooked--undeservedly, because while these other chronographs might not have the reputation of the Speedmaster, they are just as thoughtfully-crafted and deserving of attention as their more famous cousin.

Like the Speedmaster, the Seamaster chronographs utilized Albert Piguet’s famous Calibre .321 movement, widely regarded as one of the finest manually-wound chronograph movements in the world. 

The Omega Story 

The story of Omega is one that captivates generations of horological devotees. The second-largest watchmaker in the world in terms of annual turnover, the Bienne-based firm has been continuously producing watches since 1848, which it does today under the auspices of the Swatch Group.

Founded in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland as La Generale Watch Co, Omega was well ahead of the horological curve from the beginning, developing the first minute-repeating wristwatch in 1892 as well as the eponymous “Omega” caliber in 1894. This 19-ligne movement was revolutionary in that its parts could be replaced by any watchmaker in the world without modification, while its winding and time-setting via the crown provided an industry standard.

Omega became the timepiece supplier of choice for the British Royal Flying Corps in 1917, while the Americans followed suit in 1918, choosing their watches for the U.S. Army. Awards for precision chronometry became almost commonplace, while 1932 saw them become the first watch brand to time an entire Olympic Games. Their Marine, which debuted the same year, is regarded as the first commercially available diver’s watch.

During the Second World War, Omega supplied well over 100,000 timepieces to British forces, making it the largest watch supplier to the British and her allies. These watches, from the unique 6B/159 to the famed “Dirty Dozen” W.W.W, remain highly collectible today. 

1948 saw the launch of the original Seamaster: Built upon the tool watch legacy of the brand’s timepieces from the War, it’s since become a byword for reliability and legibility, both as a dress watch and, more recently, as a serious diver’s tool. The Speedmaster, released in 1957 and originally marketed for the auto-racing market, first rocketed to space on the wrist of American astronaut Wally Schirra in 1962. However, it became a household name when, in 1969, it accompanied Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, and later helped save the space-stranded crew of Apollo 13 in 1970 by timing a critical rocket burn. 

Today, Omega’s watches — all of which feature in-house movements — run the gamut from svelte dress pieces to the venerable Speedmaster in all its guises. Providing an unquestionable value proposition, Omega is a brand that deserves to be at the center of every serious watch lover’s collection.