1930s Omega Marine Reference CK 679

Why This Watch Matters Sporting the first waterproof watch case design, this Omega Marine has vintage charm written all over it. The Full Story The Omega Marine was the first watch tested to withstand subaquatic depths, and the design was patented in 1932. Instead of screwing down the case stem like the Rolex Oyster design, Omega simply placed the watch within a secondary case that clipped onto the interior case. As the watch descended into deeper depths and pressure increased, the clip tightened to the case and improved water-tightness. Two separate crystals protected the dial within, which explains why this watch, at about three-quarters of a century old, has aged so well. When one thinks of diving watches in the modern era, hulking pieces of metal with large, rotating bezels come to mind; this watch, on the other hand, has elegant Art Deco lines and a beautifully laid out dial with no luminous material. Whether you're a fan of dive watches or more elegant designs, it's hard to deny