The 3-Watch Omega Starter Kit for under €5.000!
The 3-Watch Omega Starter Kit for under €5.000!
Written by Anthony Tyme on April 2, 2019
Between the inception of the first Seamaster CK 2518 in 1948 and the pivotal year of 1993, the Seamaster design went through several iterations before they became dedicated dive watches in 1957 with the introduction of the Seamaster 300. But even the Seamaster 300 did not stick with a holistic design language, transitioning from straight to bombé lugs, “thin” bezel to “thick”, and going through multiple configurations of hand sets. It was in 1993 that Omega redesigned the Seamaster Professional and designed the “300m” model we know today. In 2018, Omega released the 25-year anniversary update to the 300m model and the design remains unmistakable to this day, with its iconic wave dial, skeletonized sword hands, scalloped bezel, helium-escape valve at 10 o’clock, and five-link bracelet. This is the longest-running model in the Seamaster family and its place in Omega’s lineup was cemented in no small part thanks to a certain 007, who, in 1995’s GoldenEye wore a blue dial Seamaster 300m Quartz Professional. In Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002), the choice was made to feature Pierce Brosnan wearing automatic and chronometer-rated versions of the Seamaster 300m Professional instead of the quartz model.
Click here to take a look at a fantastic first-series Bond chronometer-grade Seamaster 300m Professional with full papers and service history.
Omega Speedmaster (€1.600-€1.900)
Speedmaster Mark II
The Speedmaster Mark II: alongside the more famous Speedmaster Professional of “Moonwatch” fame, the Mark II can be considered the unloved member of the Speedmaster family. After the race to the moon, Omega decided to redesign and modernize the Speedmaster look in keeping with the aesthetic cues of the age.
Of course, the new Speedmaster would have to be just as tough as the Moonwatch and so the first Mark II references dating back to 1969 were outfitted with the cal. 861, the famed manual-wind successor to the legendary Omega cal. 321. The cal. 861 remained in production from 1968 through 1996, after which it was succeeded by the cal. 1861 movement. The Speedmaster Mark II had a barrel-shaped case in brushed stainless steel and beveled polished case edges, which contrast sharply from the asymmetrical case design of the Speedmaster Professional. The Mark II was also the first Speedmaster to not feature a domed Hesalite crystal, instead using flat mineral glass, on the underside of which the tachymeter is printed (instead of the external aluminum tachymeter bezel of the Moonwatch).
The ref. 145.014 here is the first of 5 “Mark” variations of Speedmaster Professional variants and still retains much of the design language of the classic Moonwatch.
Speedmaster Mark II trade under €2.000, like here, on Vintage Portfolio.
Speedmaster Automatic Date
For those of slighter wrist who feel the 42mm of the Speedmaster Professional and of the Mark II are a bit too much, the Speedmaster Automatic Date is the perfect compromise. It offers the added functionality of automatic winding and a date complication but does not cut any corners when it comes to preserving the classic design of the Speedmaster Professional in a more manageable 39mm size. Power this little jewel is the Omega cal. 1152, essentially a modified ETA / Valjoux 7750 integrated automatic movement beating at 28.800 vph, with a 46h power reserve and bearing 25 jewels.
Detailed pictures of the Speedmaster Automatic Date 3513.50
Omega Constellation (€1.400-)
The Constellation was born in 1952 and was essentially a successor to the Centenary watch of 1948, which was Omega’s first automatic chronometer-grade watch. The Constellation was designed to be a flagship model and a true test of Omega’s engineering and watchmaking prowess. The first of the Constellation models were equipped with “bumper automatic” calibers, after which, in 1955, Omega introduced the legendary 500 series of movements. For an in-depth look at the Constellation, read our article. The Constellation is survived by the Omega Globemaster, which, though only loosely a member of the modern Constellation line, is the true spiritual successor to the Constellation models of the 20th century.
Depending on case metal, case shape (round vs C-Case), dial type (pie-pan vs domed), and condition, you can find models for as little as €1.400 ranging to above €5.000 for the 18k gold Constellation Deluxe and Constellation Grande Luxe models.
One of the most iconic features of the Omega Constellation: the pie-pan dial
There you have it: three Omegas that you can have for under €5.000 total, each with its own rich and impressive history. You can’t go wrong with this perfect three-watch collection that is equally balanced for dress and casual wear!
Yours,
Anthony Tyme
exclusively for Vintage Portfolio