While sports watches like the Speedmaster and Seamaster might be Omega’s most recognizable models, the brand’s archives are full of elegant, understated watches that prove the brand’s mastery.

In the post-war period, the economy was booming after years of austerity. During that time, tastes in watches shifted to elegant, understated dress watches that the returning GIs could bring with them into the work force. Omega answered the change in trends with this watch, the Omega Cosmic.

Introduced in 1947, the Cosmic was Omega’s first watch to combine the time and date with the day of the week and the phase of the moon.

At the time of its release, a triple calendar complication represented the height of a watch manufacture’s prowess. Nearly every noteworthy brand made them, from Patek Philippe to Rolex. But surviving examples produced by Patek Philippe or Rolex, for example, go for six figures at auction today, whereas the Omega Cosmic is far more affordable.

And, in our opinion, far beautiful. The Cosmic’s dial features a classic triple calendar layout, with the day of the week and month below 12 o’clock, moonphase at 6 o’clock and date around the perimeter of the dial. This particular example must have been intended for the Brazilian market, due to the unique Portuguese “Church Latin” calendar system, with the days reading as 2aF, 3aF, 4aF, 5aF, 6aF, SAB, DOM.

Omega touted the slimness of the Cosmic’s case in advertising material, stating that it was “the first calendar watch whose movement was conceived to fit in an ultra-flat case.” Though the case is 35mm, it wears well, due to the long lugs. The warm pink gold offers a subtle counterpoint to the patina of the dial, which has mellowed over time.

For the collector who seeks an elegant dress watch, we can’t recommend the Cosmic enough.