Omicron Watches

Omicron Watches

Omicron is one of those mystery brands from the vintage Swiss pile — never a household name, rarely a headline act, but still quietly circulating in estate finds and

European watch boxes.

You won’t see these in boutiques. You won’t see them in auction catalogs. But you will see them in vintage circles where collectors love a clean dial, a no-nonsense movement

and a watch with a story that’s still being pieced together.

A Little History

Truth is, the history of Omicron is hazy at best.

The brand was likely founded sometime in the early-to-mid 20th century, possibly by a Swiss manufacturer aiming to supply affordable mechanical watches to Southern Europe

the Middle East, and North Africa. You'll often find Omicron pieces with Arabic numerals or dials customized for regional markets — suggesting export was core to the strategy.

What we do know:

  • The watches were Swiss-made, typically housing manual-wind movements from manufacturers like FHF, ETA, or AS (A. Schild).

  • Many were signed “Omicron Antimagnetic” or “Swiss Made” at the bottom of the dial.

  • Case quality ranged from chrome-plated brass to stainless steel, with dial layouts that borrowed from both military and dress styles.

  • They were often sold through local jewelers, and in some cases, co-branded or issued for official or ceremonial use.

So no — Omicron wasn’t building complications or powering deep-sea divers. But they were producing reliable, accessible Swiss watches, often with surprisingly attractive

dials and quirky configurations.

What Collectors Love

Omicron watches appeal to vintage lovers who are in it for aesthetics, proportions, and old-world charm — not brand prestige.

Highlights include:

  • Sector dials and Breguet numerals — often with subtle patina or radium lume

  • Arabic market editions — including fully Arabic-numeral dials or government crests

  • Small seconds at 6 — a classic manual-wind layout that gives these watches real wrist charm

  • Modest case sizes (32–36mm) — which wear well today as compact, vintage dress watches

They’re also fun to collect because no two seem quite the same — dial fonts, case shapes, and branding vary, suggesting contract manufacturing and low-volume production.

Why Omicron Deserves a Look

Because it represents a part of vintage collecting that’s not about hype — it’s about discovery.

These watches aren’t trying to be anything they’re not. They’re just honest, old Swiss mechanicals with character — often under the radar, often under $500, and often

way better looking than you’d expect.

Plus, Omicron’s regional focus means you’ll find cool export variants with unexpected dial configurations — and in a world of cookie-cutter vintage, that stands out.

What’s Out There Now

Everything Omicron is vintage:

  • Manual-wind, three-handers — mostly sub-seconds, occasionally central seconds

  • Cases in plated brass, stainless steel, or even nickel

  • Dial variations — ranging from clean and minimal to ornate Arabic-market editions

  • Movements from ETA, FHF, or Schild, often unsigned or minimally finished

Most pieces fall in the $150–$500 range, though rare configurations or unusually clean examples can stretch higher. Condition is key — many have aged dials, replaced crowns

or worn plating — but that’s part of the charm.

Fed’s Take

I’ve had a few Omicrons in the case over the years — and every time, I’m reminded why I love this end of the vintage market.

They’re not trophy pieces. But they’ve got soul. They’ve got history, even if it’s not all written down yet. And when you get a good one — with a clean dial, original crown

and a little lume fade — it wears like something twice the price.

If you’re building a vintage box full of personality watches, Omicron’s a sleeper pick.

Check Out Our Omicron Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique Omicron watches — especially Arabic-market dials, sector layouts, and manual-wind models with original components.

If you have an Omicron watch you’re ready to sell or trade – reach out. We’re always buying.

To be the first to know when new Omicron watches are available subscribe for insider access here.