Omega Seamaster performance

The Omega Seamaster watch collection is undoubtedly one of the most famous collections ever created by the Swiss luxury watch brand. While there's absolutely no question that an Omega Seamaster is a coveted collector's item, this article will focus specifically on Omega watches as an investment. The focus will be on the value development of these popular models.

Important information about the Omega Seamaster

The history of Omega Seamaster models goes back many decades. The first such watch was released in 1948, but it had little in common with what we know today as Seamaster watches. It was a dress watch with a leather strap, best known for its water resistance to depths of 60 meters.

A few years later, in 1957 to be precise, the Seamaster 300 was launched. This tool watch with a diving bezel is water-resistant to 300 m, making it a practical accessory for professional divers. This model was topped by the Seamaster Ploprof, introduced in 1970 and water-resistant to depths of 600 m.

When people talk about an Omega Seamaster watch today, they usually mean a model from the collections released from 1993 onwards. That year, the Seamaster Diver Professional conquered the market with skeleton hands, which had already adorned James Bond's wrist. The hallmark of this special watch is its wave-decorated dial, framed by a case with a tachymeter.

For a long time, there was little news about the Seamaster wristwatch, and watch collectors speculated intently about whether and when a new edition of the timepiece would be announced. In 2018, the moment finally arrived: The latest version of the luxury watch was presented at the Baselworld trade fair. The new models feature sapphire crystal and a caliber 8800 movement, boasting an incredibly accurate Co-Axial escapement. In 2019, the Seamaster 300M product series also received a new member with a 44 mm case. These Omega watches feature a caliber 9900 movement, and the Co-Axial escapement is once again impressive.

As watch enthusiasts know, apart from the classic Seamaster, there are other Omega watches from the famous collection that remain highly sought-after to this day. Most notably, the Planet Ocean and Aqua Terra models.

Omega Seamaster price development

If you want to make a watch investment and minimize the risk of coming out of the investment as a loser, you cannot avoid looking at the price developments of the models in question.

One basic piece of information is crucial here: There is usually a significant difference between the market price and the list price. While the list price indicates the price at which a watch is offered by the manufacturer, the market price reflects the prices demanded on the open market. Especially for watches from renowned watch brands, which Omega undoubtedly counts among, the discrepancy between high demand and comparatively low supply often results in market prices that far exceed the listed prices.

Current price

To get into the topic, let's first look at the current prices for Omega watches. The models naturally vary in price and value, which is why we'll focus on a few selected watches in this article.

While Omega watches are clearly luxury watches, the majority of Seamaster models are available for (well) less than €10,000. When comparing other watch models, such as those from Rolex, it quickly becomes apparent that the investment in an Omega Seamaster is significantly smaller. And, of course, the potential for appreciation in value is also comparatively small. However, in percentage terms, the classic Omega Seamaster watch has experienced a significant increase in value. Between 2016 and 2018 alone, market prices increased by an average of 15% – figures that indicate a lucrative investment.

Since numerous Seamaster models with the coveted reference are chronically sold out and thus cannot be purchased directly from the manufacturer, the watches seem to be able to overcome the challenge of maintaining their value despite current inflation. Anyone who sensed their chance to snag an Omega as a bargain at a low price in a timely manner will likely be disappointed.

Historical increase in value

Looking at the development in the value of Omega timepieces over the past years and decades, we once again see what the watch market often reflects: If you're dealing with a popular reference from a renowned brand, you can often conclude the "investment" project as a winner. Omega luxury watches have repeatedly demonstrated in the past that high-quality classics generally attract attention not only through their retention of value, but often also through a significant increase in value.

Whether the watch is made of gold and platinum or "just" stainless steel is often of secondary importance. Other factors, such as the "inner values" and the reputation of a chronograph, are often more important for its value development over time.

Price development in the coming years

Questions about how the value of Omega Seamaster watches might develop in the future are difficult to find a reliable, overly precise answer. The reason: It's impossible to predict with absolute certainty which models—whether new or vintage—will increase in value and which will be considered losers. However, given how the value of Omega's coveted models has performed over the past few decades, the trend is likely toward further appreciation.

Resale value

Since Omega watches often stand out for their outstanding value retention and consistently high demand, investors can cautiously expect satisfactory resale values. Depending on the model, it may be worthwhile not to rush into the sale, but rather to monitor the increase in value and wait for the ideal moment to position yourself as the best possible winner.

Price development of used watches

In principle, even a used model can generate good profits and thus represent an attractive investment. The most important factor here is its condition. The better a vintage watch is preserved—whether from Omega, Rolex, or another established brand—the more likely it is to be resold at a lucrative price.

The price development of other Omega watches

Whenever the Omega Seamaster is mentioned, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch almost automatically comes up. This model, too, is a true winner in terms of value. The Speedmaster Moonwatch is a watch with a tremendous history, having participated in the first moon landing. The legendary Speedmaster Moonwatch, which now exists in countless variations, is practically the epitome of a watch icon and, in various references, continues to experience a significant increase in value, more than satisfying investors.

Conclusion

The fact is: Whether a chronograph will experience future appreciation in value is ultimately up in the air. Our tip: Before investing in a watch, it's worth examining its historical performance to get a feel for what the future might hold. Taking all important factors into account, it's safe to conclude that the Seamaster wristwatch from Omega could continue to delight collectors and investors with a considerable increase in value in the future. After all, we're dealing with high-quality pieces from a collection whose popularity is rivaled only by the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch series.