We’ve got $10,000 to spend on a three-watch Omega collection. Which models and references would you want to see included? I selected three timepieces that couldn’t be more different from one another, and that will tick the boxes of any enthusiast worth their salt: a sporty chronograph, an iconic diving watch, and a classy dress watch for special occasions.
1. The Everyday Omega: The Omega Speedmaster Reduced
I don’t know about you, but if I’m putting together an Omega collection, there’s one watch that is an absolute must: the Omega Speedmaster. Now, the Speedmaster Reduced isn’t the legendary Moonwatch itself, but a smaller, more affordable variant of the iconic chronograph. A reduced Speedmaster, if you will. You will, of course, find the typical Speedmaster look here with the well-known dial design, Plexiglass, and chronograph functionality on this timepiece. There are, however, a few small optical changes that differentiate this model from the Moonwatch. It measures 39 mm across rather than the traditional 42 mm – a size that’s a great fit on just about any wrist.
The subdials are also situated a bit differently than those found on the Moonwatch. The small seconds subdial on the Speedmaster Reduced is at the 3 o’clock position, while the minute counter is at 9 o’clock (these are the other way around on the Moonwatch). The hour subdial is at 6 o’clock on both models. The biggest difference you’ll find with the Speedmaster Reduced, however, is its automatic ETA caliber with a 40-hour power reserve – unquestionably a major advantage over the Moonwatch, which has to be hand wound, even when worn daily. Speaking of the movement, I’m not exactly sure how to classify it, if I’m being honest. You might go so far as to say it’s basically an in-house caliber, because ETA, like Omega, belongs to the Swatch Group. In-house or not, the movement is known for its reliability, and can be easily serviced by any reputable watchmaker. What makes the Speedmaster Reduced a great choice for our three-watch Omega collection is its price and price stability. Produced until around the turn of the last decade, you can find this timepiece for under $3,000 on Chrono24. Should you decide to sell it at some point, you can rest assured that it is a well-known watch that’s adored by the watch world and one that would be scooped up in no time.
2. The 007 Diving Icon: The Omega Seamaster 300M Ref. 2531.80.00
The Omega Seamaster 300M is currently the talk of the watch world, which isn’t that surprising when you consider this diving watch delivers a great, one-of-a-kind design and unbeatable value for money. No wonder I wanted it in this three-watch Omega collection for under $10,000. My choice, however, isn’t the most current reference; it’s the very first Seamaster Diver 300M. Its design was based on the Seamaster 200M, and made famous on the wrist of James Bond, played by Pierce Brosnan in the 1995 blockbuster GoldenEye. I really like the idea of having a watch in this collection that was immortalized in a 007 film. Moreover, this particular Seamaster was also the first reference of a future diving watch icon.
This choice gives our collection not only a true film star, but a historically important watch at the same time. Its case shape, bracelet, clasp, and dial with its wave design make it almost exactly the same as the latest iconic Omega references. That being said, some elements on the older reference don’t have the perfected touches that we know on today’s models. The dial isn’t made of ceramic, the wave pattern on it isn’t laser-etched, and the bezel has an aluminum insert, making it less robust than the ceramic bezels you’d find today. The water resistance, like the newer version, is 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft), and its 41-mm diameter makes it only slightly smaller. With its somewhat different dial design and aluminum bezel, the Pierce Brosnan Seamaster (ref. 2531.80.00) exudes a charm that is entirely different to that of current Omega diving watches, while still remaining timeless and unique. This watch is so iconic, in fact, that I can’t help but swoon a little as I write this. You’ll currently find the 007 Seamaster between $3,000 and $3,500, and it’s safe to say its value will increase in the future, particularly as the well-maintained models out there are scooped up by enthusiasts who know a great diving watch when they see one.
3. The Dress Watch for Special Occasions: The Omega De Ville Prestige
Amidst all the popularity of Omega’s sports icons, quite a few watch enthusiasts almost miss the fact that the luxury watchmaker from Biel, Switzerland also makes fantastic dress watches. Now that we’ve got an iconic chronograph with the Speedmaster Reduced, and a famous diving watch with the Seamaster 300M in our collection, I would say it’s a good idea to keep a spot open for something a bit more formal. We wouldn’t want our three-watch Omega collection to lack a fine dress watch for special occasions, would we? While the Omega De Ville Prestige might not be the most well-known timepiece in the Omega catalog, it is an outstanding dress watch through and through – no wonder it caught my attention from the get-go.
At 39.5 mm, the Omega De Ville Prestige is the perfect size for a dress watch. Its Co-Axial caliber Omega 2500 delivers a 48-hour power reserve and practical date feature. I really like the dial, which has a velvety sunburst effect reminiscent of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Ultra Thin Moon, one of the best dress watches out there, in my opinion. Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock give the De Ville a particularly classy touch. You might also be surprised by the price of the De Ville. I was able to find offers around $3,000 to $3,300 for new 2021/22 models with a blue dial. Typical for Omega, this watch has the very long reference number 424.13.40.20.03.001. Be sure to keep an eye out for other De Ville color variants, including white, silver, or rhodium. This dress watch is the perfect addition to our three-watch Omega collection.
