Introduced in 1937, the Omega Medicus was a deliberate response to a critical professional need, revolutionising medical timing with its central sweep seconds hand. It is not a well-known timepiece, and the name “Medicus” seems to be a nickname applied to the watch. The name itself never appeared on the dial of the watches or…Read more
Category: Omega
Omega 351 bumper automatic, 1950
This is an early Omega Seamaster 351 bumper automatic that we came across recently. It has one of the early “bumper automatic” movements, the Omega calibre 351. It is a classic vintage Seamaster, dating from 1950, and has aged very well. Timekeeping is good, and it has that distinctive “bumper action” on the wrist. The…Read more
The Omega Genève range, an overview and history
The Omega Genève is one of Omega’s lesser-known brands. It was an entry-level watch of good quality that fell by the wayside in the late 1970s. Although when it launched in the 1950s, it was a high-tier dress watch, second only to the Constellation. Later, in the 1960s, Genève’s target audience shifted to the entry-level…Read more
Omega Seamaster replacement dial, 1965
Omega Seamasters feature prominently at Set Back In Time. It’s hard not to like a Seamaster. The Omega brand has history, and the Seamaster range has proven itself to be a reliable, rugged timepiece for over 70 years. As collectors, we value originality and authenticity. We aren’t investors. We just appreciate vintage watches. That said,…Read more
The Omega Ranchero
In my never-ending online search for vintage watches, I stumbled across this Omega Seamaster 2990 (Ranchero). The Ranchero was not a model I was familiar with, so it caught my attention. The watch in question was originally an Omega Ranchero with a replacement dial and hands from a Seamaster. The watch in question had been…Read more
The history of the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
The Omega Speedmaster, commonly known as the Moonwatch, has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the early days of space exploration. It is one of the most legendary and collectable watches in the world of horology. The Speedmaster was not originally designed for space exploration. Introduced in 1957 as part of a…Read more
The Omega Marine: the first true dive watch
I must admit, I have never seen an Omega Marine watch in person. They are not on my immediate list for collection, because I am not a massive fan of dive watches, although the Rolex no-date Submariner is an exception. However, I am a big fan of Omega in general, particularly the Seamaster and Speedmaster…Read more
9ct gold Omega wristwatch, 30T2 calibre, 1944
The Omega 30T2 is one of the brand’s most respected movements. A vintage watch with this calibre has been on my wish list for a while. During my search for a suitable candidate, I came across this particular example at The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. It’s a 9ct gold Omega wristwatch, dating from 1944. Sadly,…Read more
How to spot a fake vintage Omega
I have written a lot about Omega over the past year. It has probably become my favourite vintage brand. It’s not quite up there with Rolex or the Holy Trinity of Horology, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Vacheron & Constantin. However, Omega introduced the world to the Speedmaster, the Seamaster and the Constellation, which isn’t…Read more
Omega Seamaster automatic, 1958
Since its introduction in 1948, the Omega Seamaster line has become a classic timepiece of Swiss watchmaking. In the modern world, the Seamaster is known for its rugged professional dive watches. However, Seamasters from the 1950s and 60s often displayed refined looks. They featured classic round cases and clean dials. Stainless steel was popular, and…Read more