Just over a decade later, OMEGA released the first edition of one of its most iconic watches: the Seamaster. The first Seamaster debuted in 1948 in conjunction with the brand's 100th Anniversary. To this day, this model is one of the most popular watches in the OMEGA family.
In 1962, OMEGA made history when astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Speedmaster on his Mercury Sigma 7 mission. It was the first OMEGA in space. This led to a significant endorsement from NASA in 1965, making the Speedmaster their official chronograph for space missions. Then, in 1969, the OMEGA Speedmaster made its first journey to the moon on the wrists of Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. The Speedmaster continued to be a crucial tool for NASA, helping the astronauts of the Apollo 13 mission return home safely. Six months later, on October 5, 1970, NASA presented OMEGA with the prestigious Snoopy Award for their contribution to the mission. Today, the limited edition Speedmaster Snoopy Award watches are among a select few models that have appreciated in the pre-owned market.
By the mid-1970s, OMEGA was number three globally and number one in Switzerland, competing with Rolex. However, as the 1980s approached, OMEGA, like many other traditional watch brands, began to struggle. While the quartz market was booming, classic watch companies faced an uncertain future. But, by the 1990s, OMEGA had returned to its former glory. The brand became the official watch of James Bond, appearing on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan in each of the iconic films. They also tapped world-class swimmer Michael Phelps as an ambassador.
In the new millennium, OMEGA continues to grow their catalog. For instance, in 2003, they debuted a new subset of the iconic Seamaster collection: the Aqua Terra. The defining characteristic of the line is a distinctive teak dial inspired by the wooden decks of a yacht.
More recently in 2019, OMEGA celebrates the monumental 50th anniversary of the lunar landing and the Speedmaster's history making trip to the moon. To commemorate the occasion, OMEGA released the Speedmaster ¡®First OMEGA in Space Met Edition," on sale exclusively at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The release coincides with the opening of an exhibition called Apollo's Muse: The Moon in the Age of Photography, sponsored by OMEGA.