You don’t only have to choose between the Omega Speedmaster Professional, Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, and Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra. The luxury watchmaker from Biel, Switzerland, has many more interesting watches to offer than just these beloved sports icons. I’ve selected three Omega watches that probably aren’t on your radar yet, and all of them are unjustly underrated by many watch enthusiasts. Let’s take a closer look at these three attractively-priced models that offer certain advantages over their more popular competitors.
Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial 38: The Improved Speedmaster
The Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial 38 is kind of like the spiritual successor of the Omega Speedmaster Reduced. In contrast to the vintage timepiece, however, the 38-mm Speedy is seriously underappreciated and very much overshadowed by the famous Omega Speedmaster Professional. This is really hard to believe, because objectively speaking, the smaller watch is the better watch. It not only boasts a 52-hour power reserve and date display at 6 o’clock, but is also water-resistant to 100 m (328 ft). The classic Speedmaster Professional, on the other hand, could only dream of these specs with its manual Co-Axial caliber, 50 m (164 ft) of water resistance, and missing date display. There’s no question that the smaller Speedmaster is the superior version.
Unsurprisingly, the overall design of the Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial 38 is very similar to that of the legendary Moonwatch. The subdials and tachymeter scale look slightly different, and the dial has a lacquered instead of matte finish, but you can immediately see the resemblance to the original. I personally prefer the somewhat more modern appearance of the Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial 38 over that of the Moonwatch. The latest version of the latter watch, in particular, has a more vintage feel. The automatic Speedy offers further advantages for watch fans with slimmer wrists. While the Speedmaster Professional may still be relatively small, it’s still a full 4 mm larger than its 38-mm counterpart. Plus, with a price tag of $5,100, the automatic Speedy also makes a financially attractive alternative. Yes, you have to do without the legendary Moonwatch status, but you can’t have it all, can you?
Omega Constellation Globemaster: The Only True Datejust Alternative
While the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is often touted as a great alternative to the Rolex Datejust, it is lacking one key feature: a fluted bezel. Is this iconic design element a must-have for you? Then be sure to check out the Omega Globemaster. Housed in the Constellation collection, this grossly underestimated watch is the only serious Datejust alternative to feature a fluted bezel. That said, the model has a satin-brushed case and bracelet and the bezel is made of scratch-resistant metal, meaning it is much more reserved than the Rolex in terms of design. But thanks to its date display and water resistance of 100 m (328 ft), the Omega Constellation Globemaster makes an ideal everyday watch. The METAS-certified movement is anti-magnetic up to 15,000 gauss and, thanks to a display case back, can be admired at work. If your budget is around the $5,500 mark, you’ll have a wide selection of variations to choose from, but with a bit of luck, you can grab one for less than $5,000. The Omega Constellation Globemaster is a great Omega timepiece and a fantastic alternative to the Rolex Datejust that is unjustly underrated in the watch community. I think there’s scope for Omega to market this model a bit more aggressively, am I right?
Omega De Ville Prestige: Omega Knows How to Do Dress Watch
Given the popularity of Omega’s sports icons, many watch fans are unaware that the luxury watch manufacturer also makes great dress watches. Have you heard much about the Omega De Ville Prestige? It’s a beautiful, elegant, and comparatively affordable dress watch that I was completely unaware of until I was browsing the Omega website one day, researching another article. This fine timepiece is seriously impressive. The 39.5-mm case is the perfect size for a dress watch, the Co-Axial moment offers a 48-hour power reserve, and it has a practical date function.
However, what really transforms the elegant Omega De Ville Prestige into a star in my eyes is its dial. I was immediately captivated by the soft, silky sunburst finish. The only thing I can compare it to is the face of one of the most beautiful dress watches on the market right now, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Ultra Thin Moon, which costs many times more than this Omega. Roman numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock offer a sightly more relaxed design, and a wide-ranging color palette provides options for all tastes. Like things classic? Then the black dial is for you. Want something a bit more bold? Then check out the blue, rhodium, silver, and white variants. The price of this timepiece is almost shocking: You can find new examples for around $3,000. If you are in the market for a comparatively affordable Swiss-made dress watch, you really can’t beat this under-the-radar Omega. The Omega De Ville Prestige is a great dress watch and the ideal alternative to NOMOS watches. I don’t know why this model has been so unfairly ignored. Did you know that the De Ville collection was still alive and well in the Omega portfolio today? Or were you as surprised to see the watch as I was?
