When it comes to fine Swiss watchmaking, few brands are as recognizable as Omega (Rolex is probably the only name with more brand recognition).
Omega’s roots go back almost 200 years, and in that time, they’ve earned a stellar reputation for creating some of the most accurate (and cosmetically appealing) watches in the world.
And as you’d expect, buying an Omega watch isn’t usually all that forgiving on your wallet.
I mean we’re talking luxury Swiss watches here.
But, if you know where to look, there are some budget friendly Omega watches out there that won’t completely destroy your credit line.
And these are the timepieces we’re here to discuss.
In this review, we’ll go over some of the best budget friendly Omega watches on the market. So whether you’re looking for your first Omega, or simply perusing for another model to add to your collection, this list of affordable watches is a great place to start.
The 5 Best Affordable Omega Watches For Men
Before we get rolling with the watch, we should probably set some grounds rules. After all, your definition of “affordable” and mine may be completely different.
For the sake of this article, I’m going to define an affordable Omega as one that is listed for under $5000.
I know what you’re thinking, so before you start closing that browser, keep in mind that we’re talking about Swiss watches here.
You know, the finest timepieces in the world.
If you’ve done any research on Swiss watches in the past, then you know that getting an Omega for under $5000 is a pretty good deal.
You can casually drop $10-20k on an Omega watch (and they plenty of timepieces that cost upwards of $50k).
So, let’s all agree that anything under $5000 is pretty affordable for an Omega.
#1 Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch
I’m a huge fan of their Speedmaster lineup- and I’m certainly not the only one because this is one of their most famous collections.
The Speedmasters are classic racing watches from top to bottom, fully equipped with tachymeters and chronographs. Their Moonwatches are designed after the Speedmasters that were worn by astronauts in every lunar mission to date (including when we first set foot on the moon).
As a self-proclaimed space nerd, I think this definitely adds to the allure of these watches.
But NASA history aside, this Professional Moonwatch has a lot going for it. Cosmetically speaking, there are a ton of color schemes to choose from, but I really like the black dial/silver case combo, especially when paired with the black leather band.
The case on this model is made out of stainless steel and measures 42 mm in diameter. Inside, there’s a manual winding mechanical movement with a 48 hr power reserve (old school).
The crystal on this watch is made out of the original hesalite acrylic material that was used on the Speedmasters that went up in space.
Hesalite isn’t as scratch resistant as sapphire (this watch is also available with a sapphire crystal, but will be a little over our price range for this article), but it doesn’t shatter like sapphire either (which could pose big problems in a zero gravity environment).
And if you’re a fan of tradition and history, you might prefer that this watch comes with the original crystal.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quintessential Omega that won’t break the budget, the Speedmaster Moonwatch is a great choice.
#2 Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
The Seamaster lineup is the oldest watch collection Omega has- these watches have been going strong since 1948. The original Seamasters were designed to be rugged, like the military watches they provided during WWII.
They were of course waterproof, hence the name, but they were also very elegant. You know, something you could totally where for a night out on the town.
The Seamasters have come in all kinds of designs over the decades, combining styles of both dress watches and diving watches alike.
This Seamaster Aqua Terra is more of a dress watch than anything else. You’ll notice the simple, elegant design. The dial isn’t crowded with chronograph sub-dials or any other more advanced features. Just a simple date window at 6 o’clock.
The case on this Aqua Terra is made out of stainless steel and measures 41 mm in diameter. Unlike the Speedmaster above, this watch comes with a very scratch resistant, sapphire crystal that will keep that beautiful blue dial well protected.
Under the hood, you’ve got an automatic movement with a power reserve of roughly 55 hrs.
The stainless steel bracelet matches the case perfectly and as a Seamaster, this watch is water resistant to 150 meters.
If you’re looking for a classy dress watch that can handle getting wet, Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra is a fine choice.
#3 Omega De Ville Prestige Co-Axial
Omega’s De Ville lineup consists of classic dress watches with elegant designs that’ll never go out of style. These watches could easily pair with a suit and tie, yet work just as well for more casual wear on the weekends.
The De Ville’s tend to be more affordable than most of their other lineups and with a sales price of under $3000, this particular model is an especially good deal.
I’m a fan of the silver dial with dark grey hands- plus I think the use of Roman numerals always ups the ante in the dapperness department.
The case on this watch is a little smaller, at around 39 mm (making it a great choice if you’re looking for a smaller watch). It’s made out of durable, stainless steel.
This Prestige Co-Axial comes with an automatic, self-winding movement. Oh, the “chronometer” part of the name signifies that this watch has been certified for its accuracy.
The band on this watch is made out of crocodile leather, that not only looks great, but should be comfortable to wear.
On the dial, you’ve got a date window at 3 o’clock, a seconds sub-dial, and a power reserve that tells you how much gas you’ve got left in the tank (which comes in handy if you’re not wearing this watch on a daily basis).
Overall, Omega’s De Ville Prestige is another fine looking dress watch that won’t break the bank (and it comes with a 5 year warranty).
#4 Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m
Yup, another Seamaster on the list, but unlike the Aqua Terra already mentioned, this model is a true diver’s watch. Just goes to show ya how diverse Omega’s Seamaster collection really is (and we’re just scratching the surface here).
Omega’s Planet Ocean series is all about serious diving.
As the name implies, this watch can handle being submersed up to 600 m under water (that’s about 2000 ft for us Americans). This watch has a built-in helium release valve, allowing helium molecules to release as the watch decompresses from depth (saving you crystal and case from damage).
Helium valves are found on diver’s watches that are designed for handling deeper depths.
The face here is pretty simple- I like the dark blue color used on the dial and bezel. This watch is lacking a chronograph, so the only other function is the date window at 3 o’clock.
The case on this watch is stainless steel and a little larger than the other models mentioned so far at 44 mm. The larger case is pretty standard for diving watches and other sports watches.
Under the case, there’s an automatic movement with a 60 hr power reserve. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal and there’s a stainless steel bracelet for the band.
Being a diving watch, the Planet Ocean comes with a uni-directional rotation bezel that can be used for keeping track of diving times as well.
Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable Omega that can do some serious diving, the Planet Ocean is the way to go. Very cool indeed.
#5 Omega De Ville Prestige Co-Axial
I wanted to finish our list off with another De Ville. Honestly, there’s so many great looking De Ville’s to choose from, it’s tough to narrow it down, but I’m a sucker for rose gold, so I had to include this Prestige Co-Axial.
This De Ville has a completely different look than the one up in the #3 spot. The dial on this model is brighter and little simpler.
You won’t find a power reserve meter or any other sub dials here, which you may prefer if you are looking for a simple dial. The De Ville has a very clean look, allowing it to match pretty much any style you’re going for.
The case here is 40 mm in diameter and made out of a combination of stainless steel and rose gold.
The rose gold plated hands and hour markers look great against the silver dial. This dapper dial is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.
Under the hood, there’s an automatic movement with a power reserve of 48 hrs, giving you a complete 2 days worth of down time before this watch needs to get moving again.
The band is brown alligator leather, which I think works perfectly against the rose gold case.
If you’re looking for a great looking watch that could work for both formal and casual occasions, I think this De Ville Prestige is a perfect choice.
Final Thoughts
Omega is a pillar in the watch industry. Few watch brands have been around as long or have contributed as much to the watchmaking industry as this brand has.
FYI- the “Omega” name came from one of the company’s most popular movements from the early 1900’s. Personally, I think it was a smart move to adopt the name, it’s quite catchy.
Anyway, Omega is easily one of the most recognizable Swiss watch brands in the world. Some of their most popular collections include their Speedmaster, Seamaster, and De Ville collections.
And lucky for us, Omega offers some affordable options in all of these collections.
I picked my 5 favorite affordable Omega watches for this article, but there are tons to choose from. If you didn’t find something here that tickles your fancy, keep looking, there’s plenty more where these came from.
WatchMaxx has some of the best prices I’ve seen on these brand new watches and their library of options to choose from is vast. They have a great selection of Omega’s to choose from (as well as most other luxury Swiss brands).
When looking for a new watch (Omega or otherwise), there are a few key specs I encourage you to examine when making your choice. Looks play a huge role in making this decision, but there are a few other details worth considering.
The movement is a big one. If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, you’ll probably going to want to go with a mechanical movement (either automatic or manual).
Mechanical watches are more sought after because of all the craftsmanship that must go into their design and construction.
It’s a good idea to think about the crystal material as well. Sapphire is usually used on the more expensive watches because it’s the most scratch resistant of all the materials used (even though we saw that the Moonwatch mentioned here comes with a high-end acrylic crystal).
Lastly, it’s a good idea to consider the size of the case. Men’s watches come in various sizes, but most will be somewhere between 36-40 mm in diameter (sports watches tend to be more in the 40-45 mm range).
If you’ve got smaller wrists, you may want to opt for a smaller case.
Alrighty, that about does it. I hope you enjoyed learning about these affordable Omega watches. Good luck and happy hunting.