Strange But True Watch Tales: How The Seamaster Logo Landed On The Speedmaster

Strange But True Watch Tales: How The Seamaster Logo Landed On The Speedmaster

The origins of the Omega Seamaster logo is an incredible story. Discover where it comes from, and why it’s on the Speedmaster too.

By Marco Gabella
Chairman & Executive Publisher

In 2018, Watchonista went in-depth with a series of videos (Series Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4) celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Omega Seamaster, one of the most advanced watch collections of its time.
 

During World War II, Omega gained valuable industrial experience while supplying the British Ministry of War with military watches made to rigorous specifications. This new generation of military watches enabled Omega to launch the Seamaster collection in the aftermath of the war, making the 1948 model one of the most innovative watches of all time.

But beside the story behind the original Seamaster collection, there are two strange facts. First is the fact that the Seamaster logo is on the Speedmaster’s caseback. And second, the fascinating origins of the famous seahorse logo itself.
 

Origins of the Seahorse

When the Omega Seamaster collection was born in 1948, it was made without a caseback stamping as it was the first family of wristwatches made by the brand. But in 1952, Omega introduced the Constellation collection, a chronometer line, with the immediately recognizable Geneva Observatory cupola serving as its logo. At that stage, it became clear the Seamaster should also have a logo to symbolize the collection.
 

Discover how the designer for the Omega Constellation’s logo had a revelation while in Venice at one of the first Omega boutique openings. Petros Protopapas, Omega’s International Brand Heritage Manager, reveals everything to Watchonista in the video below!
 

The Speedmaster’s Seahorse

Introduced in 1956, the seahorse logo was engraved on the caseback of the Seamaster and the Railmaster, which was primarily a water-resistant watch with specific protection against magnetic exposure.

So, with the 1957 launch of the trilogy collection in (consisting of the Seamaster, Speedmaster, and Railmaster), Omega issued a line of professional watches engraved with the new mythical seahorse logo.
 

But the Speedmaster is primarily a chronograph, so why put the Seamaster seahorse logo on the back of the Speedmaster?

Again, Petros Protopapas, Omega’s International Brand Heritage Manager, told us the very strange watch tale in the video below.
 

(Photography by Pierre Vogel, Videos by Léon Orlandi)

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