When was Omega founded?

Omega's history begins in 1848, when Louis Brandt began assembling watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The Omega name was adopted for the company in 1903.

Which Omega went to the Moon?

The Speedmaster Professional was worn on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, after being qualified by NASA for crewed space missions.

What is Omega's Co-Axial escapement?

The Co-Axial escapement, invented by George Daniels and industrialised by Omega from 1999, reduces friction in the movement, which is intended to improve long-term stability and extend service intervals.

Are vintage Omegas a good everyday watch?

Many vintage Omegas, particularly Seamasters and Constellations, make lovely everyday watches if they are well serviced. They are usually less water resistant than modern watches, so care is needed.

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Omega

By the Encore Luxe specialists · Updated October 2026

Omega has a gift for being in the right place at the right time: on the Moon, at the Olympics, on the wrist of a fictional British agent. Behind those moments is a long tradition of chronometry and technical innovation, and a catalogue that ranges from elegant 1950s dress watches to modern professional divers. This guide introduces the house, its innovations and icons, and what our specialists look at in a pre-owned Omega.

Key facts


Origins	1848, La Chaux-de-Fonds
Founder	Louis Brandt
Name adopted	1903 (after the Omega calibre of 1894)
Headquarters	Biel/Bienne
Innovations	Co-Axial escapement (from 1999), Master Chronometer certification
Icons	Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation, De Ville, Genève

A short history

Louis Brandt began assembling watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. His sons moved the business to Biel/Bienne and, in 1894, introduced a calibre called Omega, which proved so successful that the company took its name. Through the twentieth century, Omega built a reputation for precision, competing in observatory chronometry trials and becoming Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games.

In 1948 it introduced the Seamaster; in 1952 the Constellation; in 1957 the Speedmaster. In 1965, after rigorous testing, NASA qualified the Speedmaster for crewed space missions, and in 1969 it was worn on the Moon. In 1999 Omega introduced the Co-Axial escapement, and in 2015 its Master Chronometer certification.

The watches most often asked about

Speedmaster: the chronograph worn on the Moon.
Seamaster: a family of dive and sports watches, including the Diver 300M, Aqua Terra and Ploprof.
Constellation: an elegant chronometer, recognised by its "griffes" (claws) on the bezel in modern versions.
De Ville: a dress watch line.
Genève: vintage everyday watches of the 1960s and 1970s. We currently have an Omega Genève Automatic ladies, champagne dial, circa 1972.

What we look at in a pre-owned Omega

Our watch specialists examine:

Reference and serial: consistent with the watch.
Case: finish, lugs, caseback and crown.
Dial and hands: printing, lume and originality.
Bezel and crystal: action, inserts and material.
Movement: calibre and finishing, where appropriate.

Read how we authenticate an Omega.

Caring for an Omega

Screw down the crown fully before contact with water.
Have water resistance tested periodically, particularly on vintage watches.
Follow Omega's recommended service intervals.
Rinse in fresh water after swimming in the sea.
Keep vintage watches away from water unless their resistance has been tested.

Omega at Encore Luxe

See our Omega page for watches currently available.

Choosing a pre-owned Omega

Omega's range runs from small vintage dress watches to large professional divers, so begin with the wrist. A 1970s Genève of around 25 to 35 mm wears very differently from a modern Seamaster Diver 300M of 42 mm. Our listings give the case diameter, and we can send further measurements on request.

Next, consider movement. Vintage Omegas often have elegant manual-wind or automatic calibres that need regular servicing. Modern Co-Axial and Master Chronometer movements are designed for long-term stability and longer service intervals. Some smaller ladies' models use quartz, which is accurate and needs little attention beyond battery changes.

Then think about water resistance. Modern Seamasters are made for water; vintage watches, however robust they were when new, should be treated with care unless their water resistance has been tested recently.

Finally, originality and condition. On vintage watches, our specialists consider whether the dial, hands and crown are original or service replacements, and our listings say so where we can tell. We also describe the case, crystal, bracelet or strap, and any service history we know.

The language of Omega

Co-Axial is Omega's low-friction escapement. Master Chronometer is a certification for precision and resistance to magnetism. Hesalite is the acrylic crystal used on many Speedmasters. Ploprof is short for plongeur professionnel. Griffes are the claws on the Constellation's bezel. Our glossary explains these and more.

Encore Luxe is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with Omega.

Questions we’re often asked

When was Omega founded?: Omega's history begins in 1848, when Louis Brandt began assembling watches in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The Omega name was adopted for the company in 1903.
Which Omega went to the Moon?: The Speedmaster Professional was worn on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, after being qualified by NASA for crewed space missions.
What is Omega's Co-Axial escapement?: The Co-Axial escapement, invented by George Daniels and industrialised by Omega from 1999, reduces friction in the movement, which is intended to improve long-term stability and extend service intervals.
Are vintage Omegas a good everyday watch?: Many vintage Omegas, particularly Seamasters and Constellations, make lovely everyday watches if they are well serviced. They are usually less water resistant than modern watches, so care is needed.