Omega

Brand names are everything in watch collecting.

The wristwatch, which began to replace the pocket watch in the First World War, really came into its own with the production of bespoke ‘tool’ watches for submariners and airmen later in the century

At the peak of his fame, the Anglo-Italian jewellery designer Andrew Grima was invited by Omega to create what would become the About Time collection.

Daniel Somlo is a watch dealer at Somlo London in Burlington Arcade and a qualified Omega watchmaker.

Era of pop art and protests also brought fresh design beyond the earlier ‘tool’ template

The Omega Seamaster 300, launched in 1957 simultaneously with the Railmaster and the Speedmaster, appears in numerous variations.

Watches with military associations carry a certain cachet with collectors.

Tennants’ recent sale of Jewellery, Watches & Silver included, at a top-estimate £9000, a rare Omega aviator’s watch.

This Omega Seamaster 300, issued to members of the British Army in the 1960s, appeared at Fellows (23%/15% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham.

Alex Stevens began selling collectables aged 14, going on to specialise in vintage wristwatches. He launched Alex Stevens Vintage in late 2020.

At the peak of his fame in the 1969, the Anglo-Italian jewellery designer Andrew Grima was invited by Omega to create what would become the About Time collection.

A recent Sotheby’s New York (26% buyer’s premium) sale included this rare ‘Red Racing Dial’ Speedmaster consigned by the original owner.

Watch parts such as replacement dials, cases and hands from well-known models can add up to a lot of interest at auction, as recent results show.

This Omega Seamaster 300, c.1967, has been consigned for sale at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on November 17-18 by a career member of the Royal Engineers.

Perhaps the quirkiest of all of the many Omega Speedmaster models is this one with a cushion shape or ‘TV’ dial.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Speedmaster Professional as a space exploration tool in 1997, Omega created the Missions Collection.

The highlight of NASA’s 1965 Gemini IV mission was the first space walk by an American. As astronaut Ed White floated free outside the spacecraft for approximately 20 minutes in June 3 he wore an Omega Speedmaster Ref 105.003 strapped by Velcro to the outside of the left-side sleeve of his G4C space suit.

This ‘pre-Moon’ Omega Speedmaster purchased new in Berlin in 1960, came for sale at Aston’s (24% buyer’s premium) in Dudley on June 11.