10 Best Omega Watches For In The US
When it comes to great brand stories, Omega really corners the market. It’s been worn by Bond, went to the Moon, timed Olympic records, and even traveled to the deepest recesses of the Mariana Trench.
Omega is also a master watchmaker: it pioneered the tourbillon in a wristwatch, took George Daniels’ co-axial escapement—one of the most significant horological advances of the 20th century—and mass-produced it, and even found a way to make a watch resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss.
From deep-sea divers to vintage dress watches, we’ve chosen the 10 Omegas that, when taken together, provide a snapshot of the horological heights this incredible brand is capable of scaling.
1.Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional
Since its first appearance in 1957, the Speedmaster has become a symbol of exploration and space travel.The Moonwatch hasn’t changed much over the years, which makes it an instantly recognizable symbol.The flagship Speedmaster, which was last updated at the start of 2021, has a black dial with thin hour and minute hands, a small seconds subdial, 30-minute and 12-hour recorders, and a central chronograph seconds hand that makes it easy to spot.Either a hesalite or sapphire crystal shields the dial.The 42 mm stainless steel case supports the black bezel with the tachymeter scale. It is water-resistant to 50 meters.
This chronograph is powered by the Omega caliber 3861 mechanical movement. It is basically a modernized, Master Chronometer-certified upgrade of the brand’s famous caliber 1861.This hand-wound movement has been changed and improved many times, but it is still the same as the one that powered the watches that NASA astronauts wore on all six of their moon missions.
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional is a great buy among new chronographs, and it comes with your choice of a strap or bracelet for a starting price of $5,950.
2.Omega Constellation Co-Axial
Even though Omega made the Constellation line of watches in 1952, they were called Globemaster in the U.S. until a trademark dispute was settled in 1956. After that, Omega used the constellation name all over the world.
While Omega had just smashed its own accuracy timekeeping record at the Geneva Observatory the year before, its logo was the dome of the observatory. The eight stars around the cupola stood for Omega’s best chronometric achievements in observatories around the world, including a “clean sweep” of precision records at the Observatory of Geneva in 1931.
The Omega “Manhattan” Constellation was introduced in 1982. Four “griffes,” or claws, at 3 and 9 o’clock were first seen on this watch. These served to secure the sapphire crystal and keep the timepiece watertight.
Omega’s Co-Axial calibers came out in 2007. They have Omega’s innovative and unique escapements and offer less friction, better mechanical efficiency, and more accurate timekeeping over time. Each Omega watch equipped with a Co-Axial caliber is a COSC-certified chronometer and comes with a full four-year guarantee, one of the best in the business for a mechanical timepiece thanks to the superior performance of the new escapement. The 38 mm case protects the special movement and is resistant to water depths of 100 meters.
There is a wide range of sizes and options for the Constellation Co-Axial, but the base price is around $4,400.
3.Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Co-Axial
It’s hard to mistake the Seamaster Aqua Terra for any other watch. The Aqua Terra 150 M collection’s dials are reminiscent of the elegant oak decks on the world’s most prestigious sailing yachts. The model displayed above was introduced in 2021. It is distinguished by its lacquered silver dial embellished with the Teak Concept pattern and its newfangled running seconds sub-dial.
The most important part of the watch is the Omega Master Co-Axial caliber 8916 movement, which is housed in the 41-millimeter stainless steel case. This movement is certified by the COSC as a chronometer.Its movement is designed to withstand magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss. The Aqua Terra is unique among antimagnetic watches in that its inner workings are visible via the see-through caseback.
A lot of companies make mechanical watches with anti-magnetic inner cases to protect the complicated mechanisms inside.Omega improves on that idea by making key parts of the movement out of materials that don’t contain iron. This makes the movement itself immune to magnetic fields.These days, magnets are all over the place. From smartphone and tablet cases to briefcase zippers and refrigerator doors, they’re an essential convenience.
For a start, you may expect to pay $5,590 for an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Co-Axial.
4.Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M Master Chronometer
Omega was an early innovator in both oceanic and astronomical technologies; therefore, the brand is as well known for its underwater prowess as it is for its space prowess. Many people consider Omega’s Marine watch to be the first timepiece ever made specifically for use during deep dives, and it was released in 1932. Omega watches have been worn by explorers since the early days of the company.
During his historic bathysphere dives, marine biologist and explorer William Beebe wore an Omega Marine, as did Scuba’s founder, Commander Yves Le Prieur. The legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau was often seen wearing an Omega Seamaster PloProf, and the world-famous freediver Jacques Mayol, better known as The Dolphin Man, was often seen wearing an Omega Seamaster on his wrist during his record-setting dives.
Omega’s Planet Ocean collection came out in 2005, adding to the company’s long history in the oceanic realm.The Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M shows off Omega’s long history in the dive watch business.This model has a 43.5mm stainless steel case and a black ceramic unidirectional rotating dive bezel that is water-resistant to 600 meters, or 2,000 feet. A helium escape valve is an essential feature of any serious scuba diving equipment.
The Omega Co-Axial caliber 8900, a self-winding, COSC-certified chronometer movement, beats away inside the case and can be viewed via the sapphire caseback. This caliber is one of a kind among dive watches because it has a free-sprung balance and two mainspring barrels, both of which help it keep very accurate time.
To start, expect to pay at least $8,100 for an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600 M Master Chronometer.
5.Omega De Ville Prestige
Every once in a while, even the most hardy adventurers need to dress up, and Omega has you covered with a variety of classic dress watches. The De Ville Prestige line will always look modern because of its classic style and rich details.The model shown above has a sapphire crystal that protects it from scratches and a 39.5 mm stainless steel case.The dial is a beautiful two-tone sunbrushed blue. A sea depth of 30 meters is not a problem in this situation.
The Co-Axial caliber 2500 automatic movement powers this clock. In 1999, the Co-Axial escapement made its debut in this movement, giving it permanent historical significance.
This stainless steel Omega De Ville Prestige will set you back $3,750.
6.OMEGA SEAMASTER
To give you an idea of how many alternatives you have when shopping for a watch from Omega, consider that there are 191 Seamaster models to choose from on the company’s website alone.
The Diver 300m, the most well-known member of the Seamaster family, is named thus because it can withstand depths of up to 300 meters. Even though 007 has been spotted wearing a Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial and a dressier Aqua Terra in Skyfall, this is the most faithful replica of the watches worn by Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig’s James Bond.
In Spectre, Bond wore a steel Master Co-Axial 41.5mm with a blue dial and a steel strap, and a black Master Co-Axial 41mm on a black and grey NATO strap.
They are real diving watches, with a spinning bezel, illuminated markings, and a helium escape valve. The majority of the straps are made out of stainless steel; however, other materials like rubber and fabric NATO straps are also available. Omega has recently released the 007-branded Commander Watch, a Seamaster with a white face and British Royal Navy coloring on both the bezel and NATO strap.
7.OMEGA PLANET OCEAN 600M
The Planet Ocean 600M is a step up from the Seamaster 300, with case sizes up to 45.5mm, a choice of stainless steel, titanium, or 18K gold, and two chronograph dials.
Ceramic is used for both the dial and bezel of the Planet Ocean 600m, increasing the watch’s already high quality. All dive watches must be readable in complete darkness, but Omega takes things a step further by using two different colors of their Super-LumiNova luminous material: blue for the majority of the dial and hands and green for the 12 o’clock marker on the rotating bezel and the minute hand.
Black with a matching leather strap is one possibility, as is blue on stainless steel for a Brosnan-style Bond look, and orange or rose gold accents for the more daring.
8.OMEGA PLOPROF 1200M
Omega made yet another dive watch in 1970. This one was made to withstand much more pressure than the regular Seamasters that were made for recreational divers.The French phrase “plongeur professionnel” translates to “professional diver,” which is where the Ploprof and Seamaster Professional 600 get their names.
Omega changed the Ploprof in 2016 by adding a Master Chronometer calibre 8912 movement that can’t be affected by magnets. However, many of the unique features of the first model have been kept.
The main distinction between this watch and a typical Seamaster is that the crown is located at nine o’clock rather than three o’clock and that a thick crown guard is protecting it.This keeps it from being accidentally manipulated and also keeps it out of the diver’s way (assuming it is worn on the left wrist).
The 2016 version has a sapphire caseback so you can see the automatic movement, a ceramic bezel, and a water resistance of 1,200 meters—all while being incredibly lightweight thanks to its titanium construction. The bezel may be turned in either direction, which is unique for a dive watch, which often only does so in a counter-clockwise manner. Two o’clock houses a button shaped like a plunger, which locks and unlocks the bezel.
At four o’clock, there is an automatic helium escape valve that lets the gas out during or after a deep-sea dive. Omega offers two types of straps for their watches: a rubber band or a “sharkproof” brushed metal mesh. It may be worn over a wetsuit thanks to the 26-mm extender.
9.OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN ULTRA DEEP PROFESSIONAL
Omega began making diving watches in 1932, with early models being tested to a depth of 73 meters in Lake Geneva.
Omega made the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional after more than a hundred years.
Victor Vescovo, an adventurous explorer, wore this watch for 12 hours while diving 10,928 feet to the Marianas Trench, the deepest point on Earth, in May 2019. As a result, it broke the record for dive watches.
Omega then incorporated the normal safety margin for the diving industry of 25%, making the watch water-resistant to 15,000 meters (nearly 50,000 feet), which is comfortably deeper than anywhere on Earth.
A watch designed to withstand 16,000 psi of pressure is, unsurprisingly, going to be on the bulky side. The Omega is enormous, measuring 52.5mm in diameter and 28mm thick without the crown.
Three were made for Vescovo, but they are not for sale. However, they should provide insight into the design of future, less severe Seamaster Planet Ocean models.
10.OMEGA CO-AXIAL MASTER CHRONOMETER GMT WORLDTIMER
Here’s a timepiece that wasn’t made for diving but is perfect for sightseeing across the world. The Seamaster name lives on, but the Worldtimer moniker is unique to this watch.
The Worldtimer has an automatic movement with a 60-hour power reserve that is housed in a 43mm case.Cities from across the world (including Omega’s hometown of Bienne) are listed on the face in order of timezone: those that observe daylight saving time are printed in black, those that do not are printed in blue, and London is painted in red to indicate GMT.
The dial is made of hand-applied enamel and sapphire crystal, and it features a 24-hour time display and a map of the world.
Starting in December 2019, the Worldtimer will be available in different colors. A platinum version with a brown leather strap will be limited to just 87 pieces.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, Ten great watches from Omega. Each of these watches has its own unique design and features, and there’s something for everyone in this lineup. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a watch enthusiast, or just looking for a stylish and functional watch, Omega has you covered.
