At Set Back in Time, we’ve always felt that Omega is a brand that is right up there with the Holy Trinity (Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, and Patek Philippe), but isn’t pretentious. It’s an accessible brand for many people, with good quality, reliable vintage timepieces that don’t break the bank. We also like the history…Read more
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual
In a recent post, we explored the history behind the Rolex Oyster case. Here, we are going to delve into the history of the Rolex Perpetual automatic movement. The two names belong together, and there is a long-running range called the Rolex Oyster Perpetual. The two names complement each other, combining a practical waterproof case…Read more
Helvetia “tropical dial” automatic wristwatch, 1950s
This watch was brought to the attention of the Set Back in Time group a few weeks ago. No one in the group was particularly interested in buying, but it did have a few characteristics that caught our attention and made for a lively discussion. First was the “tropical dial”, which tends to be a…Read more
The short history of the Omega Railmaster
The Omega Railmaster is a timepiece deeply rooted in the history of both watchmaking and the evolving needs of professionals who require exceptional precision. This story begins with a tragic event in 1891. A train collision in Ohio highlighted the importance of reliable timekeeping for the railroad industry. A train driver relying on a watch…Read more
Omega Genève gold-plated wristwatch, 1970
This gentleman’s Omega Genève gold-plated wristwatch was a Christmas gift for one of the lucky Set Back in Time group. The watch has a calibre 601 hand-winding movement, which is working nicely. The movement is fully signed, and it has the Omega serial number 30,845,753, dating it back to 1970. The Genève is not the…Read more
The history of vintage watch buckles
This may seem like a strange topic, “The history of vintage watch buckles” because, in the world of vintage watch collecting, it isn’t the component or feature of a watch that first comes to mind. However, in terms of overall originality and authenticity, it is the most likely part of vintage watch hardware to be…Read more
Omega Constellation automatic, 1968
This is a new edition to the expanding collection at Set Back in Time. One of our founding members acquired this Omega Constellation automatic dating from 1968. The watch has an automatic Omega calibre 564, adjusted in five positions and temperature. The movement is fully signed and the Omega serial number 26384804 dates it back…Read more
A collector’s guide to vintage dress watches
When it comes to building a vintage watch collection, there’s one type of timepiece that deserves a spot on everyone’s wrist, a vintage dress watch. While your everyday watch is the workhorse that gets you through most days, there are occasions that call for something a bit more refined. Think weddings, funerals, christenings, graduations or…Read more
Nivada Visualmatic wristwatch, 1950s
This particular watch was brought to the group’s attention at a recent Set Back in Time meeting. It’s not a vintage watch that anyone owned or was interested in buying. It was simply a novelty. The watch in question is this Nivada Visualmatic wristwatch, dating from the 1950s. The reason it caught our attention was…Read more
The history of the Omega Constellation
The Omega Constellation is named after the eight stars featured on its case-back medallion. The stars represent Omega’s eight world records set at the Kew-Teddington trials and the Geneva Observatory during the mid-20th century. The Constellation line was created specifically as Omega’s flagship chronometer collection, representing the brand’s commitment to precision and excellence. Every Constellation…Read more