This Watch

We have here a stunning Omega, model 131.019 from 1967 Originally sold in South east London Bromley By EW Payne. Original sales receipt dated 31/10/1968 along with original Books and instructions. The off-white, almost silvered dial has aged really interestingly and uniquely with speckling, giving no doubt to its originality.  We particularly love the unusual facet Arabic numerals, giving the watch an Art Deco feel.  The stick hour, minute and central seconds hands keep the watch simple and give a sense of symmetry to the piece.  The dial is signed 'Omega' with the famous Omega logo at 12 o'clock.

The 33mm, stainless steel, fine condition snap-back case houses the mechanical manual wind Omega caliber 601, fully serviced by us and running strongly.  We've paired this watch on a simple black leather strap as it would have likely had in 1967 but it looks great on everything!

Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, Omega started out as La Generale Watch Co., an unassuming, but international business.   It wasn't until 1885, when the company had been taken over by Louis' sons, that the first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador, was released.  By 1903, the company had renamed itself Omega and only two years later were they the official timekeepers at many sporting events across Switzerland.  Omega stepped onto an international stage in 1932 as the official timekeepers at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first of over 20 Olympic Games. Omega were one of the 12 companies, now known as the Dirty Dozen, commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during the Second World War.  One of Omega's most iconic watches, the Seamaster, was introduced in 1948 to celebrate their 100th anniversary.  Over 70 years later, it is still one of Omega's best selling watches.  Omega made headlines in 1962 when Wally Schirra wore the Speedmaster as part of NASA's first crewed spaceflight programme, making the Speedmaster the first watch to enter space.  It was only a few years before the Speedmaster became the official chronograph for the American space missions and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as well as the Apollo 13 crew.  Omega are still involved with NASA and have been instrumental in creating vital pieces of equipment for space exploration.  Omega's reputation continued to soar in the 1990s with Omega Seamaster worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond.  As well as post-1995 James Bonds, Omega has been worn by the likes of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Prince William, Rory McIlroy, Ringo Starr, Michael Phelps, Cindy Crawford and George Clooney.

The watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with our 12 months, non-waterproof service cover.

What we think

About as good an entry level vintage, pre-owned Omega as you will find in fantastic all original for the people looking for original provenance. Perfect for the vintage watch newbie and a must have in every collection!  A simple, classic dress watch with a lot of personality!  Unusual less common Rolex explorer style Arabic numerals are a not so common dial variation.

Spec Stuff