Disclaimer: I purchased this watch from a friend and collector (thanks Mike). Since this watch was worn/used, please make note that the experience might differ from that of a brand new watch. I was not externally incentivized in any way to create this review.
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Omega De Ville
Towards the end of 2020, I decided that I was going to slow down the pace of my watch reviews, and while I know I should also speak slower in them, I was mostly referring to the number of reviews I put out each month. I plan to spend 2021 exploring watches that I find personally interesting, while also looking at some more mid-range and high-end luxury watches. This is likely to mean fewer, but more interesting micro-brands, and a lot more traditional luxury watch brands. In that realm, there’s no better brand to kick things off with, than Omega.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__7_40_21_PM-1024x683.jpg)
I purchased this watch from Mike, a friend and supporter of this channel, who I must thank for providing so many watches for us to check out. This is the Omega De Ville Prestige 36.5mm dress watch, that I believe was originally purchased in 2012. This watch features the iconic Omega 2500 Co-Axial movement, and is keeping incredible time, nearly a decade later. The De Ville collection is overshadowed by the Seamaster and Speedmaster lineups, but these watches have been a silent, but successful addition to the Omega catalog. This watch originally retailed for $3300, but could be found between $2000-2500 at your nearest grey market dealer.
Let’s check it out!
Case
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__7_40_39_PM-1024x683.jpg)
I measured the case to be 36.25mm in diameter, 40.5mm from lug-to-lug and 8.5mm tall. The case is made of stainless steel and is entirely polished, except for the vertically brushed case-back.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__7_40_50_PM-1024x683.jpg)
The case has an almost bowl-like concave profile, which is very elegant and well accented by the polished surfaces. A pair of short, but quite classically styled lugs extend out of the case and curve downwards, with a lug width of 18mm.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__7_41_14_PM-1024x683.jpg)
There is a beautiful fixed bezel, that is accentuated by means of multiple subtle steps, and seats a flat sapphire crystal.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__6_41_39_PM-1024x683.jpg)
There is a signed push-pull crown at the 3 o’clock position that is 4mm in diameter, but not too difficult to hold and operate. The crown and stem action is incredible, and interacting with this movement is wonderful.
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Flipping it over, you have a solid press-fit case-back that has the brand’s logo etched onto it, along with “Co-Axial Escapement” and the serial number. This watch is rated for up-to 30m of water resistance, which isn’t a surprise given that it is a dress watch.
Dial
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__6_08_42_PM-1024x683.jpg)
Over the last few months, I’ve realized that I suck at photographing silver dials. So please take my word for it when I say that this dial looks beautiful in person. It’s got a two-tone texture, with very fine concentric ring pattern on the outer light silver track, and a vertically brushed metal inner dial section.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__5_50_00_PM-1024x683.jpg)
The outer track has applied Roman numeral hour indices that are high polished stainless steel, and could also be rhodium plated. The polishing is excellent, and the proportions are perfect.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__6_03_06_PM-1024x683.jpg)
You have a date window at the 3 o’clock position that isn’t framed with polished steel, but instead is cut out into the dial with sloped surfaces. I’m not a fan of 3 o’clock date windows, but I think this one is much better executed than the Tudor Style I reviewed recently.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__5_57_33_PM-1024x683.jpg)
The brand’s logo is applied under the 12 o’clock index, and has excellent polishing and finishing.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__5_37_19_PM-1024x683.jpg)
The hand set is a traditional dauphin style pair, with two polished surfaces and a uniform and well executed finishing. The dimensions are great and this watch is very easy to read.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__7_30_56_PM-1024x683.jpg)
Overall, I think this dial is beautiful. I love the sector dial style of the outer hour track, and the applied Roman numerals make this dial. I love the styling, and if I wore dress watches more often than once in five years, I’d keep this watch for myself.
Movement
This watch uses the Omega 2500 movement, which is a modified version of the ETA 2892. I love the 2892 on it’s own, and this one gets the Omega treatment with Omega’s Co-Axial escapement. I believe it is also the first commercial movement to feature the Co-Axial escapement. This design was invented by the late George Daniels, who then sold it to Omega. The case-back is closed, but beneath this is a well decorated and rhodium plated movement that is Chronometer (COSC) certified.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__7_34_43_PM-1024x683.jpg)
This watch was originally sold in 2012, and I’m unaware of it’s service history, but I put it on my time-grapher and observed +2 spd in the crown up and dial up positions. Pretty damn impressive, if you ask me.
On The Wrist
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__4_10_36_PM-1024x683.jpg)
I believe Jomashop was selling this as a ladies watch, but I’m not sure Omega intended for it to be that way. The case is small, at 36.5mm in diameter, but this is a pretty typical case size for most traditional dress watches, and wears great on my 6.25″ wrist.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__4_12_32_PM-1024x683.jpg)
The short lugs allow this watch to have a compact 40.5mm lug-to-lug width, which is further made more comfortable with the 8.5mm height.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__4_15_46_PM-1024x683.jpg)
I think this watch will look appropriate as a dress watch for wrist sizes up-to 8″, if you’re going for a traditional dress watch aesthetic.
This watch ships with an Omega alligator leather strap, with a polished and signed buckle. The quality of the strap is excellent, and it wears very well for a dress watch. The strap tapers from 18mm at the lugs to 16mm at the buckle.
Concluding Thoughts
I’m not a dress watch guy. I don’t wear fancy clothes, and I spent most of my life in pajamas at my computer even before COVID made that the norm. At any given point of time, you’re unlikely to find a dress watch in my collection. But this watch made me rethink that choice, and I’m very tempted to keep this. To be able to own an Omega Co-Axial movement for well under $2000 in a watch that is as good looking as it is comfortable, is very tempting.
![](http://34.75.139.125/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/omega_deville_prestige_watch_beansandbezels_17__4_15_02_PM-1024x683.jpg)
So my concluding thoughts would be – if you like the style and can find one of these pre-owned and in good condition, you’re getting a stunning watch for the money.
Thanks for reading!