Bill Sohne
1637
This is what stuck out in my mind.... Part I
"By most significant, I mean the most significant to the history of Omega. I am asking which watches changed the direction of the company and most affected its future. I don't necessarily mean a single model, but a design, a collection or a calibre. "
Ok Sam.... Now with the above in mind..... Lets go forward .
In my mind these are some of the most significant advances in Omega history.
The introduction of the "Omega caliber" 19"' and 20"' movement in the late 1890s. This was the movement that put Omega on the MAP! This movement was the first use of the divided assembly system in the swiss watch industry. All the watch parts were standardized and interchangeable . The Omega caliber a good time keeper and reliable. The company was able to sell this caliber at a price point that was below their competitors cost of manufacture . There was talk that Omega was "dumping" product on the market to destroy the competition, but this was not true.
Here is a D grade Omega calbier 1899
My prize DDR from 1905
Early Omega wrist watches. ( some as early as 1900) .. some used the 13"' movement that is basically a miniaturized version of the 19"' caliber. I think of these are the beginnings of all "activity/ Tool" watches..
This is an early US military Omega. US Signal Corps from 1916.
Omega also made early Pilot watches in the late 1920... I cant seem to find any of my early pilot photos, hopefully there might be copies on my offline image server. Omega made other tool watches in this period, chronographs etc... Omega was still exploring and learning.
1930's Early Omega waterproof watches like this marine Standard
In 1939 Omega released the "30 mm" caliber.. This movement is like history repeating itself. The 30mm has had as much of an impact on Omega as the 19"' pocketwatch movement. Omega produced just over 3 million watches powered by the 30 mm caliber ( from 1939 to 1962).
Here is are examples of a 30 mm chronometre 30t2SCRg 
This 14k gold example is a dress watch at its best in my opinion. Its a simple 33mm snapback .
This next example is in a 35 mm steel with a screwback case construction. This is a very unique combination , hi grade movement, case size and material and construction. This is definitely a preview of things to come from Omega...
In the 1940s Omega introduced its "bumper" automatic movement caliber 28.10 and caliber 30.10 movements. They cased them in snapback and screwback back cases. To celebrate its 100th birthday in 1948 Omega released the Centenary model .. The first automatic chronometre wrist watch from Omega. It was offered in two sizes 34 mm ( 2000 units made powered by caliber 28.10 JUB) and 36 mm ( 4000 units powered by caliber 30.10 JUB).
Here is an Omega ad for this "Model"
and here is an example from my collection....
The next step for Omega was to produce a line of watches that robust and good time keepers and in 1948 Omega launched the Seamaster line. In my opinion The Seamaster line is the basis of all Omega watches going forward. Omega produced automatic and manual wind Seamasters in the coming years. Cases made of precious and yet water resistant and housing Omega's award winning movements.
Here is an early oversized bumper Seamaster with a 14k pink gold bezel. This early example does not even say Seamaster on the dial.
The first bumper water resistant chronometre was the Seamaster, made in limited numbers.
Here is a Steel Seamaster chronometre powered by a caliber 352 Deluxe execution chronometre. The same level of finish as its manual wind cousin the 30T2SCRg. 
Later in 1952 Omega launched the Connie line of automatic chronometers in water resistant cases...
In 1957 Omega release the Three High precision tool watches, Speedmaster, Seamaster 3oo and the Railmaster and the beat goes on...
So getting back to Sam's question .... "By most significant, I mean the most significant to the history of Omega. I am asking which watches changed the direction of the company and most affected its future. I don't necessarily mean a single model, but a design, a collection or a calibre. "
The first answer that popped into my mind is the " Seamaster" line of watches. Omega took its first 50 years of wristwatch history and incorporated all into the Seamaster line of 1948. From that point on the Seamaster line was the common ground for all other models or line were produced from.
It is late and I am tired and need to get to work in about 5 hours... Stay tuned for part II of this stream of Omega high lights..
Good Hunting
Bill Sohne
