One of the most prolific and famous luxury watch brands in today’s market, Omega boasts an immense catalog of models. While this is a good thing for variety, it can also be overwhelming —particularly for newcomers looking for an entry-level Omega watch. So we’ve picked out the best entry-level Omega watch models to consider, ranging from daily drivers and sporty numbers to dressy timepieces.
Entry-Level Omega Daily Watch: Aqua Terra
The Aqua Terra has long been recognized as one of the best GADA watches available. Water resistant to 150 meters, offering a clean and versatile design, and available in a plethora of sizes, colors, bracelets, and even movements, the Omega Aqua Terra is a solid “one and done” luxury watch.
The most affordable Omega Aqua Terra watches in the brand’s current lineup are the references 220.13.41, fitted with 41mm steel cases, and 220.13.38, fitted with 38mm steel cases, and both furnished with leather straps. These retail for $5,900 but you can buy them from the grey market at prices starting from $3,200.
However, since Omega released the Aqua Terra in 2002, there are plenty of older, discontinued models to be found on the secondary market. Prices start at less than $2,500, which makes this a fantastic entry-level Omega watch to look at.
More About Omega Watch Prices:
What is the Price of an Omega Seamaster?
How Much Does an Omega Speedmaster Cost?
Entry-Level Omega Dress Watch: De Ville Prestige
If you’re looking for a dressier timepiece to add to your collection but don’t want to spend too much money on a watch you’ll only wear for special occasions, then check out the De Ville Prestige collection.
Some particular solid options from the current lineup are the De Ville Prestige references 434.13.40.20 with ultra-slim 40mm steel cases, understated time and date dials offered in various colors, and fitted with color-matched leather straps. These retail for $4,600 but can be purchased from the grey market at prices starting well below $4,000.
Yet, if you’re willing to browse the secondary market for older, discontinued De Ville Prestige models, then you can buy an entry-level Omega dress watch from prices as low as $2,000.
Entry-Level Omega Dive Watch: Seamaster Diver 300M
Dive watches are one of Omega’s strong suits, and while the brand makes a wide assortment of them, the Seamaster Diver 300M can be considered the hero of them all. Launched in the 1990s and made famous as James Bond’s watch, the Diver 300M is the quintessential modern Omega diving watch, characterized by a scalloped diver’s bezel, skeletonized sword-shaped hands, a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock, and more often than not, a wave-patterned dial.
The least expensive Omega Diver 300M watches currently in production are the references 210.32.42.20 with 42mm steel cases, automatic movements, and rubber straps. Retail price for these Omega diving watches is $5,600. Modern pre-owned Omega 300M prices start around $3,800.
For even more affordable entry-level options, browse the secondary market for discontinued Seamaster Diver 300M where it’s not uncommon to find quartz models selling for less than $2,000 and automatic variants priced at less than $3,000.
Further reading:
A Guide to Omega Dive Watches
Are Omega Watches a Good Investment?
What is a Dive Watch?
Omega Seamaster 75th Anniversary Collection: Summer Blue Aqua Terra 150M
Entry-Level Omega Moonwatch: Speedmaster Professional
It’s almost impossible to talk about Omega watches without mentioning the Moonwatch—the nickname given to Speedmaster Professional watches that are descendants of the original chronographs that journeyed to the Moon with the Apollo 11 mission. It’s one of the most popular entry-level luxury watches among enthusiasts.
Although Omega has expanded the Moonwatch moniker to include a variety of Speedmaster models, purists will assert that a “true” Moonwatch is a Speedmaster Professional with a 42mm steel case, black tachymeter bezel, black dial with a trio of subdials, a Hesalite crystal, a solid caseback, and a hand-wound movement. The most current iteration of this configuration is the Speedmaster Professional ref. 310.30.42.50.01.001, which retails for $7,000 and thus, well beyond the “entry-level” realm within Omega watches. Pre-owned versions can be had for $5,000 to $6,000.
Yet again, the secondary market is where we can find entry-level Moonwatch models, with prices starting from around $4,000. Some of the more affordable references to consider include:
- Speedmaster ref. 3590.50 (produced from 1988 – 1996)
- Speedmaster ref. 3570.50 (produced from 1996 – 2014)
- Speedmaster ref. 311.30.42.30.01.005 (produced from 2014 to 2021)
More About Omega Speedmaster Watches:
Did Daniel Craig Just Tease a New White Omega Speedmaster?
The Omega Snoopy: A Collector’s Guide
How Much Does an Omega Speedmaster Cost?
Bonus: The MoonSwatch
We’re cheating a little here but it can be argued that the ultimate entry-level Omega is one that’s made by its sister company Swatch. Of course, we’re talking about the exceedingly successful MoonSwatch collection, which made its debut in 2022. The Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch line offers colorful and inexpensive plastic versions of the Speedmaster Moonwatch (all powered by quartz movement), inspired by the Moon, Sun, and planets.
These retail for $270 at select Swatch boutiques but it can be somewhat challenging to find certain colorways due to demand.
Other Swatch collabs:
Blancpain x Swatch: Can Swatch Revive Blancpain?
Buying Starter Omega Watches
If you have a few thousand dollars stashed away for a nice luxury watch, Omega is certainly a brand to consider. For $3,000 or less, you can find some fantastic Aqua Terra, De Ville Prestige, or Seamaster Diver 300M watches to start your collection. Alternatively, if you have a little more room in your budget, you can find an older Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch model that’ll cost you less than $5,000.
The vintage Omega market offers plenty of entry-level models including classic Seamaster pieces, vintage Constellation watches (also known as Omega Connie watches) with pie-pan dials or C-cases, and a slew of non-Moonwatch Speedmaster models (hint: the Speedmaster Reduced watches with automatic movements and smaller dials are great entry-level Omega watches).
However, the vintage watch market can be a little trickier to navigate; as always, it’s important to do your research before pulling the trigger.
More on Entry-Level Luxury Watches:
The Best Entry-Level Luxury Watches
5 Entry-Level A. Lange & Söhne Watches
Entry-Level Patek Philippe Watches
The Best Entry-Level Vacheron Constantin Watches
The Best Entry-Level Blancpain Watches
The Best Entry Level Cartier Watches
What is the Best Entry-Level Rolex?
1 Comment
Have a constellation like your pic. But not much information.its early 50s self winding observatory on back gold color with stainless steel back.stem has omega logo in gold?