There are a lot of watch enthusiasts out there who would love to make some money from buying and selling watches. The number one watch brand to make money with is, without a doubt, Rolex, but we have also seen rising prices for watches from Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Omega. In this article, we would like to focus on a list of five Omega watches that could potentially be good long-term investments for watch enthusiasts. As with most timepieces, you shouldn’t expect to make a lot of money quickly. It takes time and patience for a watch to potentially increase significantly in value. That’s why it is so important to buy what you love, so you can wear your watches and enjoy them in the meantime.
When it comes to Omega, the most popular models are the Speedmaster and Seamaster. With histories that date back to 1957, both names are crucial to the brand’s history. It’s important to note that not just any reference of these Omega models is expected to increase in value. Often, it is limited and special editions that are most in-demand. That being said, it’s definitely not a given that all limited-edition Omega Speedmasters and Seamasters will go up in price. Let’s check out five references that may have a good chance of appreciating over time.
1. Omega Speedmaster “Snoopy” Ref. 3578.51.00
The first watch on this list is one of three special-edition Omega Speedmaster “Snoopy” models. All three models are in high demand, especially since Omega introduced the third model in the series last year. For those of you who don’t know, NASA presented Omega with the Silver Snoopy award on October 5, 1970. This award recognizes “professionalism, dedication, and outstanding support that greatly enhanced space flight safety and mission success.” Omega received the award after the Speedmaster played a crucial role in getting the crew of the Apollo 13 mission safely back to Earth.
In 2003, Omega unveiled the first Speedmaster model to commemorate the Apollo 13 mission. The Omega Speedmaster “Snoopy” ref. 3578.51.00 debuted in a limited edition of 5,441 pieces. The production number refers to the duration of the Apollo 13 mission (142 hours, 54 minutes, and 41 seconds). While the watch is based on the standard Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch from that era, its subdial at 9 o’clock features an “Eyes on the Stars” medallion with Snoopy in a prominent position. The case back features the same medallion, only larger. Prices for this first Omega Speedmaster “Snoopy” have been rising quickly recently. Expect to see asking prices roughly between $20,000 and $40,000. If you are able to buy one on the lower end of that range, you will probably be able to make some money over time.
2. Omega Seamaster 300 SPECTRE Ref. 233.32.41.21.01.001
The second Omega on this list is a limited-edition James Bond watch and one that I happen to really like. It is widely considered the best Omega Bond release to date. Moreover, it was the first limited-edition Bond release that the secret agent actually wore in one of the movies. The Omega Seamaster 300 SPECTRE debuted in 2015 to celebrate the release of Spectre, the fourth Bond movie featuring Daniel Craig. While not all 7,007 pieces sold out immediately, demand and prices for this special watch have slowly increased over the last five years.
The Omega Seamaster SPECTRE differs from the standard Omega Seamaster 300 models of the same era. First off, Omega changed the dial, removing the “12” numeral and moving the logo up a bit. Additionally, the bezel is not a regular diving bezel but features a 12-hour scale so you can keep track of a second time zone. Omega also brought back the iconic lollipop second hand. If you turn the watch around, you will find the “SPECTRE” limited-edition text. Despite the high production number, prices sit roughly between $9,000 and $15,000. Now that Daniel Craig is a former Bond, this remarkable watch reminds us of his brilliant portrayal of 007. As such, prices could potentially continue to go up over time.
3. Omega Speedmaster First OMEGA in Space Ref. 311.32.40.30.01.001
The next watch on our list is the Speedmaster “First OMEGA in Space.” This watch used to be part of the Omega Speedmaster Heritage line, and with a list price of around $5,000, it was a great entry-level Speedmaster. Omega decided to discontinue the watch last year, however, and as a result, the Speedmaster FOIS, as it’s also known, has been in high demand. The watch first premiered at Baselworld 2012. The numbered (not limited!) edition is based on the Omega Speedmaster ref. CK2998 worn by Walter “Wally” Schirra on October 3, 1962, during the Sigma 7 mission.
The watch is a modern version of the classic Omega Speedmaster with a 39.7-mm stainless steel case and straight lugs. Thus, it is smaller than the 42-mm Moonwatch. Additionally, Omega equipped this watch with the same classic hands found on the CK2998. To be more precise, Omega used hands from a different iteration of the CK2998, but the overall end result is striking nonetheless. Prices for this special numbered edition Speedmaster on Chrono24 are currently between $5,000 and $7,000. If you can get one for a reasonable price, you may see yours appreciate over time.
4. Omega Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday” Ref. 311.32.42.30.01.001
The fourth watch on the list is the first of two Speedmaster models that Omega released together with the online watch magazine Fratello Watches: the Omega Speedmaster ref. 311.32.42.30.10.001. In 2012, Fratello’s Robert-Jan Broer started a weekly column about Omega Speedmasters (more specifically, the Moonwatch) called “Speedy Tuesday.” He also started using the hashtag #speedytuesday on various online platforms, and it quickly became a well-known term in the watch industry. To celebrate five years of Speedy Tuesday, Omega and Fratello collaborated on a very special Speedmaster Professional.
The Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday 1” was inspired by the very rare Alaska Project III with its radial dial and NASA engravings. Only 56 of these watches were ever delivered to NASA in 1978. Broer and Omega opted to add a reverse panda dial with a black base, white opaline-silvery subdials, and large radial numerals. The combination gives the watch a stunning presence. To top it all off, the lume on the dial is spectacular, making it a joy to observe in low-light conditions. The timepiece had a limited production run of 2,012 pieces – a reference to the year the Speedy Tuesday column began. It also came in special packaging alongside a vintage-cut brown leather strap and a black and white NATO strap. It’s a stunning release that is currently available on Chrono24 for between roughly $12,000 and $16,000. Chances are high that these prices will go up over time.
5. Omega Seamaster 300 “The 1957 Trilogy” Ref. 234.10.39.20.01.001
The final watch I have selected for this list is a bit of a wild card. All of the previously mentioned models currently sell for more than their initial list prices. Higher pre-owned prices are often a good indication that a watch is in high demand; however, that’s not the case for the Omega Seamaster 300 from the 1957 Trilogy. While prices have gone up recently, you can still purchase a pre-owned version for less than its $7,000 list price from 2017. Of course, rising prices are another good indication of demand. Seeing as prices have gradually gone up in recent months, I’d expect the trend to continue as more people understand how good the 1957 Trilogy models really are.
The Omega 1957 Trilogy launched in 2017 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Speedmaster, Seamaster, and Railmaster models. The most popular of the three is, without a doubt, the Speedmaster (another potential addition to this list). The Omega Seamaster 300, however, was another great release that brought back the brilliance of the very first Seamaster 300. At 39 mm, it’s slightly smaller than the current retro Seamaster 300 and features a great vintage-inspired dial, bezel, and bracelet. I would gladly add all three trilogy models to my collection; with that, I’d be fine for the rest of my life! I think that people who want one, including myself, should act quickly before prices go up. You can currently purchase this model for between $6,000 and $8,000, which is a very good deal. If you hold on long enough, I think there is a fair chance of these prices going up.
So, that concludes our list of five Omega models that could make good investments. As mentioned, make sure you invest in watches that you love and want to wear. Remember, there are no guarantees, and you shouldn’t expect to make money quickly. Well, that leaves me with nothing left to say but happy hunting!
