The 5 Most Iconic Omega Watches of All Time

Welcome, fellow watch enthusiasts, to another deep dive into the world of haute horology. Today, we’re turning our spotlight on a brand that needs no introduction: Omega. For over 170 years, Omega has not just kept time; it has marked history, ventured into the unknown, and defined generations of watch design. Picking just five icons from their storied catalogue is a challenge, but some models are simply undeniable. These are the watches that transcended their tool-watch origins to become legends on the wrist.

So, let’s explore the five most iconic Omega watches of all time.

1. Omega Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch”

It is impossible to start this list with anything else. The Omega Speedmaster isn’t just an iconic Omega; it is arguably the most iconic watch, period. Its story is the stuff of legend.

Introduced in 1957 as part of Omega’s “Professional” trilogy, the Speedmaster was designed as a chronograph for motorsports. However, its destiny lay much, much higher. After NASA subjected several chronographs to its infamous brutal qualification tests (including extreme temperatures, vacuum, shocks, and vibrations), only one emerged operational: the Speedmaster Ref. 105.012.

This led to its designation as “Flight-Qualified by NASA for All Manned Space Missions.” It became the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, earning its eternal “Moonwatch” nickname. It later saved the lives of the Apollo 13 crew by timing a critical engine burn after an onboard explosion crippled the spacecraft.

The classic Moonwatch recipe is timeless: a black step-dial with asymmetrical case, a Hesalite crystal that can withstand extreme pressure, and the legendary manually-wound Calibre 321 (and later, the 861 and 1861). It’s a testament to functional, legible, and historically rich design. The Speedmaster is more than a watch; it’s a symbol of human achievement.

2. Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M

While the Speedmaster conquered space, the Seamaster ruled the seas. The Seamaster line is Omega’s oldest, dating back to 1948, but it was the launch of the Professional Diver 300M in 1993 that catapulted it into the iconosphere.

This model masterfully blended tool-watch functionality with a bold, elegant aesthetic that was perfectly suited for the 1990s. Its defining features are unmistakable: the laser-engraved wave pattern on the dial, the sculpted bezel, the helium escape valve at 10 o’clock, and that iconic skeletonized hands.

However, its true claim to fame came from a different kind of secret agent. When Pierce Brosnan strapped on the blue dial version in 1995’s GoldenEye, the watch became an instant global sensation. It was the perfect co-star: sophisticated, robust, and technologically advanced, much like James Bond himself. This partnership endures to this day, forever linking the Seamaster Diver 300M with suave sophistication and action-ready capability. It proved that a serious dive watch could also be a cultural phenomenon.

3. Omega Constellation “C-Case”

If the previous two icons are tools, the Constellation is Omega’s quintessential dress watch. First introduced in 1952, the Constellation was born to be an elite timepiece, designed for accuracy and elegance. The name itself was chosen to honour Omega’s history of precision records earned at observatories.

But the model we recognise today was defined by the revolutionary “C-Shape” case, launched in 1964. With its integrated lugs and sleek, streamlined profile, it was a masterpiece of mid-century modern design. The case, resembling two claws gripping the case, was not only beautiful but also highly functional, protecting the crystal and enhancing water resistance.

Paired with its iconic “pie-pan” dial (a dial with a raised, bevelled centre that resembles an upside-down pie pan), observatory medallion on the caseback, and signature star at 6 o’clock, the “C-Case” Constellation is a pure expression of 1960s elegance. It represents Omega’s unwavering commitment to beauty and precision in equal measure.

4. Omega Seamaster Ploprof

For our fourth pick, we go from elegant to… uncompromising. The Ploprof (a contraction of Plongeur Professionnel, or “Professional Diver”) is perhaps the most rugged, purpose-built tool watch Omega has ever created. Initially developed in partnership with French diving company COMEX in the late 1960s, it was released to the public in 1970.

Its bizarre, almost alien design is 100% function over form. The massive monobloc case was engineered to withstand immense pressures at depths far beyond what any recreational diver would ever attempt. It features a signature bright red button guard to prevent accidental operation of the dive bezel, a screw-down crown placed at 9 o’clock to dig less into the wrist, and a bezel lock.

The Ploprof isn’t trying to be pretty; it’s built to be indestructible. It stands as a monument to a era of extreme exploration and Omega’s fearless engineering prowess. For collectors, it represents the ultimate expression of a no-holds-barred professional tool watch.

4. Omega Seamaster Ploprof

5. Omega De Ville Tresor

We end our list by coming back to pure, unadulterated class. The De Ville line, which began as a sub-collection of the Seamaster family in the 1960s, was so popular it became its own separate line in 1967, focusing on elegant, urban timepieces.

The Tresor, meaning “treasure” in French, embodies this spirit perfectly. While the name has been used on various models, its modern iconic status is tied to the sleek, refined dress watch introduced in the 2010s. Its design philosophy is masterful in its simplicity: a perfectly proportioned, ultra-thin case, a clean, elegant dial, and a fluted caseback that houses a state-of-the-art Master Chronometer movement.

The Tresor is a canvas for haute horology. Omega often uses it to showcase its most exquisite craftsmanship: stunning enamel dials, precious metals, and sophisticated gem-setting. It proves that icon status isn’t only earned through adventure; it can be achieved through timeless beauty, impeccable proportions, and technical excellence worn under the cuff.

Which of these icons holds a permanent place in your collection? Let us know in the comments, and until next time, keep your passion for watches ticking.