Hi,
I was wondering which models are regarded as the ultimate Omega watches to have in a collection?
I know its a subjective question but thought I'd ask anyway

 

I guess it depends on what model line(s) you like. I couldn't tell you much about vintage Speedmasters but I know I'd like a late 50's Broad Arrow or a 60's chocolate. I think Chuck Maddox had one 70's automatic model he called the grail because of limited production. If you ask about vintage Constellations I'd bet the Grand Luxe & De Luxe would be near the top of everyone's list, and then a waffle dial caliber 505 with white gold arrowhead indices next. Vintage Seamasters need to be qualified by ss diver watches or gold dress watches. If it's the former, the SM300 or original PloProf is the ticket. If the latter, it's gotta be the very uncommon pie pan in any caliber, a Melbourne XVI Olympic Commemorative, or maybe a 321 chrono. There was also a really rare "Darth Vader" caliber 861 in a ss case bombarded with tungsten and then black PVD coated - a reference 145.0023. The Soccer Timer caliber 861 and the Big Blue caliber 104x are pretty sought after also but not as rare. There's even a De Ville 146.0017 caliber 930 chronograph with a date window at 9 that's awful tough to find and could be considered a great addition to any collection.

 

Thats great information, thank you very much.

 

Beautiful watches - I would be chuffed to nuts to walk around with either of them on my wrist!

 

I would add:

Early case 2648 RG Constellations with guilloche dials,
Early Seamaster chronometers from 1948 - 50
Stepped pie pan dialled Seamaster Deluxe models as well as normal pie pans
Omega Railmasters
Ranchero models from the late 50s(quite uncommon)
Golden Seamasters 168.023
Omega D-Shape Constellation for those who like the early electro-mechanical calibres
The original Omega Marine
Cosmic Moonphase from late 40s to 50s, particularly model 3944
Omega Centenary models 2499 and 2500
166.0106 18k gold Seamaster Memomatic (rare)
Bull-Head Seamaster 146.0011
...for starters

 

Got a pic? Us fogies might not know what those new-fangled watches look like.

 

This watch needs no introduction and with credit to the late Chuck Maddox has become a "Grail" amongst collectors. Only 1000 were possibly made for one year only in 1987.
1450 bracelet , Lemania 5100 movement.

 

I do agree. But I am a fan of 'limited editions' having bought the 40th anniversary Moonwatch, Admittedly not the most limited of watches with 7969 pieces !!. I did have the Earth Moon Mars or the Snoopy on my short list, but as you mentioned the Mars edition is very difficult to read and the Snoopy was just far to expensive !.
Talking of expensive the grail watch is currently on Ebay for £5500 !.

 

Totally agree...

 

Is that a BLUE dialed manual wind Speedy? Wow, what's the reference number and what years were they offered?

 

Steel Speedmaster Gemini 4. Ltd edition of 2005 pieces. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first space walk in 1965, this is written in red at the twelve 1965-2005. Mechanical 1861 hand wound movement with 45 hour power reserve. Blue dial with silver sub-dials, blue tachymeter bezel. Steel bracelet. Special case back. Ltd edition Omega reference 3565.80.00.

A beautiful watch !.

 

Well, I missed another Omega at auction yesterday

I found out about this one last minute and didn't have much of a chance to research it, thus I was a little in the dark. I did manage to speak to the auctioneer who told me it was well maintained, working and only had some light scratches on the rear. Including buyer premium it went for approximately £2500 or US$4100. I could've bought it for maybe £100 more - but due to the lack of knowledge on this one bottled it!

Maybe someone will tell me glad you didn't buy it in the end or - "You idiot you should have bought it!"
I'm still mentally beating myself up over this one as I don't know one way or the other


A gentlemans 18ct gold Omega Constellation Automatic Chronometer on mesh link bracelet, stated movement no. 23858295, with box and some papers.