Vintage Omega Ads in National Geographic Magazines
I recently came into 900 copies of National Geographic magazines, dated from 1920s to 2000s. I love flipping through them and finding vintage watch ads.
Here are a few Omega ads from the 1980s for your viewing pleasure!
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Celine
I've worked in different areas of the watch industry over the last 15 years. Now, I'm a freelance luxury watch writer. Instagram @luxwatchwriter. Champion of #ladieswhocrunch.
Laguna Beach, CA, USA
Member since
Last active: 1 day ago
The quality of the printing is excellent 👌! That first photo almost had me fooled 😅.
I thought for a moment it was your own golden Speedy placed on the magazine 😂😄.
The quality of the printing is excellent 👌! That first photo almost had me fooled 😅.
I thought for a moment it was your own golden Speedy placed on the magazine 😂😄.
I WISH I had a full gold Speedy!
I really enjoy going through old magazines and finding those great vintage ads, not just for watches, but also for old cars, appliances, toys, etc.
I had been at a flea market a few years ago, and stumbled across a vendor who had taken the full pages ad from old magazines, and had organized them into categories. I had purchased one that was an ad for an old Mercedes 300SL roadster, and when I got home discovered that the back side was another full page ad for Hamilton watches.
I'd have a blast going through 900 copies of old National Geographic's, especially the earlier ones.
I was not into watches then but I specially remember the Mt St Helen issue. And all the included maps.
I was not into watches then but I specially remember the Mt St Helen issue. And all the included maps.
I have all the maps too, they’re fantastic. Nat Geo is incredible resource - if only I could build a library to house all these magazines!
I really enjoy going through old magazines and finding those great vintage ads, not just for watches, but also for old cars, appliances, toys, etc.
I had been at a flea market a few years ago, and stumbled across a vendor who had taken the full pages ad from old magazines, and had organized them into categories. I had purchased one that was an ad for an old Mercedes 300SL roadster, and when I got home discovered that the back side was another full page ad for Hamilton watches.
I'd have a blast going through 900 copies of old National Geographic's, especially the earlier ones.
I love it too, so many ads for new appliances, cars, cameras, and of course travel. Funny you should mention Hamilton because all the 40s and 50s issues have a Hamilton ad as the first one.
I have all the maps too, they’re fantastic. Nat Geo is incredible resource - if only I could build a library to house all these magazines!
If only I kept mine🤯
I love it too, so many ads for new appliances, cars, cameras, and of course travel. Funny you should mention Hamilton because all the 40s and 50s issues have a Hamilton ad as the first one.
It's really too bad that old magazines end up taking so much space. I used to have several issues of National Geographic from the 50s-70s, but my wife convinced me to get rid of them when cleaning out the storage room a few years ago (before I had any interest in watches). Somebody locally has 250 NGs from between 1954 and 2015 listed for sale. Now I'm tempted to try to snag some of the older issues, but I don't think that my wife would be too pleased with that idea 😀
It's really too bad that old magazines end up taking so much space. I used to have several issues of National Geographic from the 50s-70s, but my wife convinced me to get rid of them when cleaning out the storage room a few years ago (before I had any interest in watches). Somebody locally has 250 NGs from between 1954 and 2015 listed for sale. Now I'm tempted to try to snag some of the older issues, but I don't think that my wife would be too pleased with that idea 😀
ahahah I know the struggle. My husband is not pleased that I have magazines piled up everywhere, and I promised him I'd get rid of them soon(ish). Collectors can definitely have hoarding tendencies 😂
Turns out a digital subscription to NatGeo allows you to access every issue from the past 125 years, including ads. You may have inspired a fun project...
I would love to be able to flip through a National Geographic from the 1920s!
Haha, I love the ad copy for the Seamaster 120: "Designed for action at sea or on the dance floor."
Evokes images in my head of coked-up socialites and celebrities at Studio 54.
I would love to be able to flip through a National Geographic from the 1920s!
I'll share any goodies I find in there on here!
Turns out a digital subscription to NatGeo allows you to access every issue from the past 125 years, including ads. You may have inspired a fun project...
Yes, you're right! I have a digital subscription too. But, the hard copies and digital mags don't correspond exactly, which is intriguing. I think it's because there are so many different editions international, American, and so on.
Thanks for sharing these ads, the pictures are great. It has been a while since I picked up a copy of National Geographic.
Thank you for sharing the precious photos. I once saw the vintage Omega Speedmaster ad with the phrase, Tested in Switzerland, tested in Houston, tested on the moon. Maybe that ad might be in your magazine.
Thank you for sharing the precious photos. I once saw the vintage Omega Speedmaster ad with the phrase, Tested in Switzerland, tested in Houston, tested on the moon. Maybe that ad might be in your magazine.
I'll keep a lookout!
I subscribed to NG for a few years in the 1980s and I loved the Rolex ads in them. It led to me buying my OP in 1989 and spawning my love of watches.
How does one “get into” 900 copies of national geographic!?! that’s awesome and i am jealous- especially of the older issues!
Cool commercials 🙂 Maybe we should bring back some vintage advertisement too? 📰