Best Affordable Watches Under 10000
Omega is one of the most respected and iconic luxury watch manufacturers in the entire industry. The brand's vast catalog boasts a remarkably diverse assortment of watches, including models that are associated with the 007 James Bond franchise, along with even some that have been to the Moon.
Despite Omega's immense reputation, the brand's timepieces are still relatively obtainable and appeal to a broad range of collectors and different budgets. This guide will break down ten of the best Omega watches under $10k and highlight the key features that make them worth adding to your collection.
1. Omega Speedmaster Professional “Moonwatch”
Many people are familiar with the Omega Speedmaster Professional, as it was the first watch worn on the surface of the Moon. That title is hard to beat, which is why the Speedmaster has become such as coveted item both at retail locations and among the various vintage and used Omega watches available on the secondary market. If you’re searching for a newer model that also honors the design of the original Omega Speedmaster that went to the Moon, the 311.30.42.30.01.005 might appeal to you.
This edition runs on the Caliber 1861 hand-wound movement, which is a direct descendant of the version that went to the lunar surface in 1969. It also features a similar black dial topped with luminescent markers and hands. along with a similar slim tachymeter bezel. Unlike many modern Omega watches, this particular model features a Hesalite crystal rather than one made from sapphire, which adds an unmistakably vintage look and feel, while still offering all the benefits of an otherwise modern watch. While the case and bracelet are presented in all-steel, the ref. 311.30.42.30.01.005 is anything but ordinary with beautifully beveled edges and satin and high-polished accents.
2. Omega Speedmaster MKII ref. 145.014
If it’s vintage Omega watches that you’re after, then the Speedmaster Professional Mark II ref. 145.014 might strike your fancy. Both experienced and novice collectors alike will appreciate the value and history behind this watch that was first launched in 1969, right on the heels of the original Moonwatch’s fame. Unlike its more well-known cousin, this edition of the Speedmaster features a tachymeter bezel printed on the underside of its flat crystal and an intriguing tonneau-shaped case.
The Omega Speedmaster MKII also offers a slightly more affordable price point than the classic Moonwatch, making it attractive both in terms of unique design and affordability. There are also many dial options available, including the sportier "racing" dial along with a version that more closely mirrors the dial found inside the classic Moonwatch. Some credit this edition of the Speedmaster Professional for the surge in popularity of cushion-shaped cases that emerged during the 1970s. If that retro design aesthetic intrigues you, then the vintage Omega Speedmaster MKII ref. 145.014 might be the perfect watch for your wrist.
3. Omega Speedmaster “Dark Side of The Moon”
Another intriguing edition of the Omega Speedmaster Professional is a unique take on the iconic Moonwatch. The ref. 311.92.44.51.01.003 - aka “Dark Side of the Moon” - earns its nickname after its striking all-black feature set that includes a black ceramic case, a matching black ceramic dial, and a polished black ceramic bezel. Luminous markers and a contrasting tachymeter scale offer improved legibility while referencing the aesthetic of the original Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch in stainless steel.
This edition of the Speedmaster is powered by a newer self-winding, Co-Axial Caliber 9300 movement with a longer 60-hour power reserve, rather than the hand-wind movements that were used to power the original models that first went to the moon. The caseback of this particular model features special engravings that read, “Dark Side of the Moon” to help further differentiate it from other Omega Speedmaster watches.
4. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150
There’s no two ways about it, the Aqua Terra is an unsung rockstar among the various Omega watches that make up the brand's current catalog. Modern versions of the watch are powered by Omega's in-house Master Chronometer Co-Axial movements, which are magnetic resistant to 10,000 gauss. With its teak-inspired dial and 150m water-resistance, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is every bit the seafaring timepiece. However, as its “Aqua Terra” name would suggest, it’s also equally well-suited for use while on land, making it a very popular choice among anyone who seeks a versatile luxury watch that will hold its value well. The collection is available in two-tone, stainless steel, rose gold, and yellow gold.
Depending on the specific reference, Omega Aqua Terra watches can be found with either metal bracelets, rubber straps, leather bands, or nylon NATO straps. The stainless steel ref. 220.12.41.21.01.001 on a rubber strap is readily available on the secondary market and represents an excellent all-around watch that works equally well with both formal and casual attire. It exudes a certain level of sophistication and timeless style that many collectors seek, earning it a place on our top Omega watches buying guide.
5. Omega Planet Ocean
While the Aqua Terra was developed for land and sea, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is a true purpose-built professional diver’s watch with a 600-meter depth rating, a helium escape valve, and a unidirectional rotating timing bezel. The ref. 2218.50.00 is the chronograph version of the Omega Planet Ocean that features stunning orange accents on the bezel, dial, and chronograph pushers, which give it a sportier aesthetic that helps it stand out from other more traditional dive watches that are currently on the market.
The Omega Planet Ocean collection is modern, functional, and unapologetically bold. If you want to make a powerful statement without sacrificing any functionality, then you can't go wrong with the Planet Ocean chronograph. Just how much is an Omega watch within this collection? Despite its sophisticated movement and increased water-resistance, the Planet Ocean chronograph maintains an affordable price point on the secondary market and represents one of the best value propositions within the entire Omega catalog.
6. Omega Speedmaster Automatic
Yes of course another Speedmaster made this list. Many would have selected the Speedmaster Reduced - a watch that sells for roughly the same price as this reference and one that’s been becoming significantly more desirable in recent years, but hear us out. The Reduced is cool, but the positioning of its sub-dials draws criticism from some collectors of Omega watches for being too close to the perimeter of the dial.
Sure, the Omega Speedmaster Automatic ref. 3511.50 doesn’t have the typical 3-6-9 sub-dial configuration but instead, you get a seriously sharp silver panda dial chronograph fitted with an engraved steel bezel, a date window at 3 o'clock, and compact 38mm case dimensions. It’s an extremely handsome watch, and one that stands out as a ‘hey, what’s that?’ rather than ‘Oh look, another Speedmaster.’ Simply put, it’s a smart way to rock an icon on a budget without blending into the masses.
7. Omega Seamaster Chronograph
This particular reference of the Omega Seamaster Diver chronograph just never got as much love as it deserved. Among the numerous Seamaster chronograph watches, many are large and bulky timepieces that can typically only be pulled off by those with larger wrists. While they are excellent timepieces in terms of design and build quality, they are mostly targeted at individuals with larger wrists or the 44mm Panerai crowd. Alternatively, this version comes in at a much more modest 41.5mm in diameter - a perfect size for a wide range of wearers.
Its black dial and hands give the piece a slightly more understated look than other variants of the watch. Its timing bezel delivers a smooth yet firm click with each movement, and thanks to the use of screw-down pushers, the dive-rated chronograph is good for 300m of water resistance. As much as some tend to lean towards the blue dial ‘Bond Seamaster’ references, this black version offers the most all-around versatility, the sword-shaped handset helps distinguish it from other Seamaster Diver chronographs that have skeletonized hands.
8. OMEGA Speedmaster FOIS
For the final Speedmaster spot on this list of top Omega watches under $10k, we are going with a throwback to a historic vintage model from Omega's archives. The Speedmaster FOIS has been a talking point ever since Omega reissued the famed Caliber 321 Speedy with an astronomical sticker price. While this piece doesn’t use the same legendary movement, it remains a fantastic tribute to Omega’s first jaunts outside of the atmosphere.
For those who are wondering, FOIS stands for 'First Omega In Space' - as it is a recreation of the watch first worn by Wally Shirra in 1962. This was before Omega successfully won the bid to supply NASA, and before the idea of a Speedmaster on the moon was ever hatched. Looking at new retail prices, the Omega FOIS is already affordable, as you can buy approximately 2.67 of them for the price of a Cal. 321 reissue. On the pre-owned market at under $4k, they’re a proper bargain.
9. Omega DeVille Prestige Small Seconds
The Omega DeVille Small Seconds is easily the least well known and most understated among our selections. Though there are tons of dress watches in Omega’s vintage archives, the few modern dress watches from the brand seem to rarely see the light of day. This specific example ticks all of the boxes for a good dress watch. Its case is under 40mm in diameter (39mm to be specific), and its dial is simple, clean, and timeless - all without being devoid of detail. Omega used a combination of snailing for its small seconds sub-dial, and a coarse radial sunburst brushing for the center portion of its dial, surrounded by a more matte perimeter that holds its applied Roman numeral indices.
What's charming about this piece is that the deeper you look, the more you appreciate its fine execution. However, at a surface level, it’s very simple and almost classically utilitarian. It has a plain steel caseback rather than an exhibition caseback like those found on many other Omega watches, and this particular model is fitted with a simple black leather strap that has a tang buckle rather than a deployant clasp. This model is powered by the Caliber 2202 Co-Axial movement, which offers users a time-only display with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
10. Omega Seamaster Diver 300m GMT
Despite advances in the Planet Ocean catalog and recent changes to the Seamaster line over the course of the last half-decade, the classic, blue wave-dial 'James Bond' Seamaster that pre-dates the arrival of ceramic bezels remains a true classic from Omega's recent history. However, while the standard time and date model has become somewhat of an industry icon, what we’re talking about here is the 50th Anniversary GMT version.
That’s right, many of you have forgotten that there was a 41mm Omega Seamaster with bi-color black and white 24-hour bezel and a GMT complication, didn’t you? With a black dial, a split color bezel, a red GMT hand, and no helium escape valve, this Seamaster GMT is a significant departure from the blue wave dial version worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies. While it offers a rather large aesthetic deviation from the original James Bond Omega Seamaster, the added functionality of its GMT complication is a welcome addition, especially considering that these watches sell for roughly the same price as their non-GMT counterparts on the secondary market, and truly look like no other Omega Seamaster watches out there.