In collaboration with Berry Harleman - Catawiki's Watches Expert
Omega watches are famous all over the world, and with good reason. They have taken part in several historical events thanks to their exquisite qualities. Find out more about the incredible journey of Omega watches from the deep sea to the moon.
Deep in the Sea
Omega’s Seamaster watches, first introduced in 1948 to celebrate the brands 100th anniversary, are still are regarded as the perfect tool for professional divers. The Seamaster was ‘born’ to be used in the ocean. Today’s models are completely water resistant, antimagnetic and function at great depths. Of course, it took Omega some time to perfect this watch, but the brand has been around in the diving field for quite some time.
Omega’s first professional diving watch, the Seamaster 300 from 1957, would later become the official British Royal Navy watch. In 1968 the Seamaster went into the depths with two drivers breaking the world record of simulated diving. And Jacques Cousteau has been known to use Omega’s diving watches like the Seamaster 300 and 1000 on his many diving trips and experiments.
High in the Sky
Omega watches explore every corner of the earth and even further. The Speedmaster, introduced in 1957, stood NASA’s extreme tests for use in outer space and was selected the winner in 1965, which meant it was qualified to participate in piloted missions. It became world famous when Buzz Aldrin stepped on to the moon in 1969 wearing a Speedmaster Professional. It was officially the first watch on the moon, as Neil Armstrong did not wear any.
To Far Ends of the World
Although both Robert Peary and Frederick Cook claimed to have reached the North Pole via an overland route, it has never been proven that they did. Ralph Plaisted however, surely did almost fifty years ago. He is now seen as the first to successfully travel across the ice to the North Pole. Aided by three companions and, as you might have guessed, the Omega Speedmaster.
Image Source: Tapatalk.com
Top of the Game
In 1932 Omega was elected as Official Timekeeper at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Since then their watches were used for timekeeping on 27 different occasions including Rio 2016. Omega got this honourable function by winning first place in all six categories of the Geneva Observatory trials. A good reputation helped too; their timepieces had been used for measuring at many sporting events since Omega introduced its first chronograph in 1898.
007’s Partner in Fighting Crime
Even on screen Omega’s watches tend to travel the world and take part in extreme events. When Daniel Craig played James Bond in Quantum of Solace (2007), he did so with an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean. The Seamaster watch was already 007’s partner in crime when Pierce Brosnan played James Bond. You can see the Seamaster in movies like Die another Day, Tomorrow Never Dies and now the latest movie Spectre, just to name a few.
It does not end here. American President John F. Kennedy wore an Omega wristwatch during his inauguration in 1960 – it is now exhibited at the Omega Museum.
J.F.K's Omega's wristband
Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was photographed with an Omega watch, as were Elvis Presley and Ringo Starr. Amelia Earhart used to fly with an Omega chronograph in the dashboard of her Lockheed Elektra. You can spot Omega watches in films like Apollo 13 and Seven Years in Tibet. The list of famous figures sporting Omega watches goes on and on.
Omega has a rich history of special watches. Even the watch you seek isn't part of history it doesn't mean it isn't special. Take a look at our Omega auction and find the perfect vintage watch to take on your own adventures!