The Fascinating History of Omega De Ville Watches: Elegance and Innovation

The history of the Omega De Ville watch is a fascinating saga that spans several decades, perfectly illustrating the evolution of luxury watchmaking. Since its creation, Omega's De Ville collection has always been synonymous with elegance, precision, and innovation. To fully understand the importance of this collection, it is essential to dive into the history of Omega itself, as well as the specific characteristics and developments of the De Ville collection.

Omega’s roots date back to 1848 when Louis Brandt opened a watchmaking workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Initially, Brandt’s workshop focused on assembling watches from parts provided by local artisans. His pocket watches quickly gained popularity, particularly in England. After Louis Brandt’s death in 1879, his sons, Louis-Paul and César, took over. They moved the company to Bienne in 1880, where they established a modern factory. In 1894, they introduced the Omega caliber, a revolutionary movement that allowed easier assembly and maintenance. The success of this caliber was so significant that the company adopted the name Omega in 1903.

Throughout the 20th century, Omega built a reputation as an innovator and leader in chronometry. The brand became the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games in 1932 and set numerous precision records. Omega was also chosen by NASA to equip astronauts on the Apollo missions, further solidifying its global reputation. The De Ville collection debuted in 1960 as a sub-collection of Omega's popular Seamaster line. Initially, the De Ville watches were known for their sleek and elegant design, contrasting with the more robust and sporty Seamaster models. In 1967, Omega decided to make De Ville an independent collection, marking the beginning of a new era for the brand.

The first De Ville watches were distinguished by their refined and minimalist aesthetic. They were often equipped with gold or stainless steel cases, simple dials, and fine indexes. The De Ville’s sleek design reflected a more urban and sophisticated approach to watchmaking, in tune with the trends of the time. The 1970s were marked by the quartz crisis, which disrupted the Swiss watch industry. Quartz watches, cheaper and more accurate, threatened traditional mechanical watches. Omega responded by launching its own range of quartz watches, including De Ville models equipped with quartz movements.

The De Ville Quartz was introduced in the 1970s and quickly became popular. It combined the classic elegance of the De Ville collection with the precision and reliability of quartz movements. This period also saw the introduction of more bold and experimental designs, reflecting the spirit of innovation at the time. In 1994, Omega launched the De Ville Prestige collection, which quickly became one of the brand’s most iconic lines. The De Ville Prestige was characterized by its classic, timeless design, with gold or stainless steel cases, clean dials, and high-precision automatic or quartz movements.


The 1990s saw a resurgence of mechanical watches, as consumers rediscovered craftsmanship and horological tradition. Omega capitalized on this trend by reintroducing mechanical movements into its De Ville collection. In 1999, Omega launched the Co-Axial movement, a major innovation that improved the precision and durability of mechanical movements. The De Ville Co-Axial was introduced in 1999 and quickly became a symbol of Omega’s horological innovation. Equipped with the Co-Axial movement, this watch offered exceptional precision and greater resistance to shocks and magnetic fields. The design of the De Ville Co-Axial remained true to the collection’s classic aesthetic, with gold or stainless steel cases and clean dials.

In 2007, Omega launched the De Ville Hour Vision, a watch that combines the classic elegance of the De Ville collection with advanced technical innovations. The De Ville Hour Vision is equipped with the Co-Axial 8500 movement, a manufacture movement that offers exceptional precision and a 60-hour power reserve. The design of the Hour Vision is distinguished by its transparent case, allowing the movement to be admired through the back and sides of the watch. In 2014, Omega reintroduced the De Ville Trésor collection, initially launched in the 1940s. The new De Ville Trésor is equipped with the Master Co-Axial movement, a manufacture movement that offers exceptional precision and increased resistance to magnetic fields. The Trésor’s design is distinguished by its slim and elegant case, clean dials, and leather straps.


Omega continues to innovate and engage in social causes with the De Ville Prestige Orbis collection. Launched in partnership with the charitable organization Orbis International, this collection supports eye care programs in developing countries. The De Ville Prestige Orbis watches stand out for their blue dials and teddy bear motifs, symbolizing Omega’s commitment to this noble cause. In 2020, Omega pushed the limits of horology with the De Ville Tourbillon, a watch equipped with a central tourbillon. This exceptional model combines traditional craftsmanship with advanced technical innovations, offering unmatched precision and beauty. The central tourbillon is a technical feat that improves the watch’s accuracy by compensating for the effects of gravity on the movement.

Since its creation, the Omega De Ville collection has always been synonymous with elegance and refinement. De Ville watches are distinguished by their sleek and timeless design, reflecting a more urban and sophisticated approach to watchmaking. They are often chosen by personalities and celebrities for their discreet elegance and exceptional quality. One of the strengths of the De Ville collection is its ability to combine tradition and innovation. Omega has always managed to integrate advanced technical innovations into its De Ville watches while preserving the classic, timeless aesthetic of the collection. From Co-Axial movements to central tourbillons, De Ville is a symbol of innovation in service to tradition.


The legacy of the De Ville collection is lasting and continues to influence the watchmaking industry. With more than 60 years of history, De Ville remains one of Omega’s most iconic collections. It embodies the brand’s commitment to quality, precision, and innovation and continues to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide. The history of the Omega De Ville watch is a fascinating journey that perfectly illustrates the evolution of luxury watchmaking. From its creation as a sub-collection of the Seamaster to its current status as an iconic collection, De Ville has always been synonymous with elegance, precision, and innovation. With a rich history spanning over 60 years, De Ville continues to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide with its refined creations and advanced technical innovations. A story that today, as the 36mm diameter is considered the unisex size, encourages many female watch enthusiasts to wear models from collections dating back to the sixties.