The 2007 Omega Mania Auction

As watch enthusiasts will know, there is a watch auction house in Geneva, Switzerland, called "Antiquorum." Founded in 1974, it has a history of over 30 years.

In April 2007, Antiquorum held an auction called "Omega Mania."
As the name suggests, this was a one-brand auction, focusing solely on Omega.

When I received the news of this auction, the thing that surprised me most was the name, "Omega Mania."
In Japan, the word "mania" is used quite commonly to mean "someone passionate about a hobby," but in the West, it seems to be used only in very specific circumstances.

For example, if you visit Switzerland and casually say something like, "Japanese watch maniacs..." in conversation with someone from a watch company, they tend to look at you with a very puzzled expression.
Apparently, in the West, "mania" carries a nuance of "someone excessively obsessed with something, to the point of being a bit out there."

The fact that Antiquorum boldly used the word "mania" as the title for an Omega-only auction was what astonished me.

Am I the Omega Mania?

What's more, "Omega Mania" refers to me personally!

This is because when I first started collecting watches, the very first Swiss vintage watch I acquired was none other than an Omega. Since then, I've truly lived the life of an "Omega Mania," enthusiastically searching for Omega watches and related merchandise.

As a result (or perhaps because of it?), I was approached with an offer to edit and write for the Japanese digest catalog of "Omega Mania."
It goes without saying that I accepted this offer without hesitation.

However, the work was extremely demanding due to a very tight schedule between the end of the year and the beginning of the new one. Fortunately, I managed to complete it in time for the preview in Japan, and it was well-received by many.

My "First Omega," the "Seamaster Calendar."
This was the first model equipped with a quick-set date mechanism.

My First Omega

Speaking of which, the first Omega I acquired was the "Seamaster Calendar," which appeared in the late 1950s.
The case is gold-plated. It is powered by the automatic Caliber 503 and features a date window at the 3 o'clock position.

What's rather unusual is that the Cyclops lens (Cyclops refers to a one-eyed giant) that magnifies the date display is round.

Models like this are not found in Omega reference materials, nor have I ever seen one in an antique watch shop.

So, is the Plexiglas (acrylic glass) aftermarket? Not at all. The "Ω" mark, engraved from the inside, is clearly visible in the center.

If you have a vintage Omega, please check the center of the Plexiglas with a loupe. If you find a small "Ω" mark there, it's proof of genuine parts.

The Conditions of a Good Watch

Of course, this "My First Omega" is still with me today.

However, since then, I've acquired so many Omegas and watches from various other brands that this Seamaster has rarely been worn and has been kept in my collection case recently.

So, to write this article, I took it out after a long time and found it still in excellent condition. When I tried it on my wrist, the excitement I felt when I first got it came flooding back.

I plan to take it to my trusted watch repairer soon to replace the worn plating on the crown and give it a full overhaul, bringing it back into active service.

Parts supply should be fine. This watch is nearly half a century old, but the manufacturer is still active, and with proper maintenance, it will continue to function reliably. That, too, is one of the conditions of a good watch.