Omega Constellation Cal.564 18ct 1967, Solid Gold Dial

Omega

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over the years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster to space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Omega Constellation has remained Omega’s flagship Chronometer grade automatic dress watch since 1952. It was a development of the highly successful Omega Centenary Chronometer Automatics, 2499 and 2500, launched just a few years previously to coincide with the celebration of Omega’s first 100 years of high-end watch manufacture.

Description

Here we have a stunning 18ct yellow gold Omega Constellation from 1967 with a solid gold ‘sunburst’ dial. This watch carries the amazing Calibre 564 movement which was Omega’s state of the art movement in the early 1960s. The heavy 18ct watch case measures 35mm in diameter and is in superb all-round condition. As with all Omega Constellations, this watch carries the ‘Constellation’ motif on the case-back which is very distinct, indicating this watch has been lightly used and has been very well cared for.

This watch is immaculate, having just completed full restoration by our team. The movement in particular, is in spectacular condition. Omega Constellation movements have always been highly regarded for their accuracy and dependability so the Constellation is considered to be one of the most practical vintage dress watches you can buy.

The Dial

This beautiful solid gold dial is from the beginnings of the more avant-garde designs which were to come in the 1970s. Reminiscent of the time and changes in popular culture, and the incredible excitement surrounding the Apollo moon missions, it is no coincidence that wristwatches changed around this time to reflect this. This was a period of huge advances in technology, including the first commercial use of computers in larger organisations, satellite communications and supersonic flight.

It is at this time we started to see changes across the Constellation range, moving from the very clean, simple lines of the typical 1960s dial to the retro-modern style we see here. The applied black Onyx inlaid batons are quite bold and blocky, however the Dauphine style hands are retained from earlier watches, although here also inlaid with black Onyx. The dial has a golden ‘sunburst’ effect which in certain lights, moves towards a much darker gold colour as we’ve tried to demonstrate in the photographs.

The dial provides a beautifully soft and subtle contrast with the yellow gold case and yellow gilt Onyx inlaid hour indices and hands.

The dial carries the applied gold OMEGA brand and Signature, with ‘Automatic’ ‘Chronometer Officially Certified’ with ‘Swiss Made’ below the ‘6’.

This is the original dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by our dial restorers, who are considered to be the best in the UK.

The Movement

This is the very high grade, ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’, Omega Calibre 564 automatic, copper-plated beryllium-bronze, 24 jewels movement. As can be seen, it is in absolute tip-top, sparkling condition.

The movement has been fully overhauled by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means disassembling the watch movement down to all its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration. This watch, therefore, winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +6 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is no exaggeration, we have checked and confirmed these test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. Please bear in mind, this kind of performance is outstanding for any watch, particularly of this age. The movement also has a 46 hour power reserve when fully wound. We are highly confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co. Swiss’, ‘Twenty Four Jewels’, and ‘Cal. 564 Adjusted 5 Positions’ with the serial number 25667878, which dates the watch to 1967. These watches are well known for their exceedingly robust, accurate and reliable movements making this watch perfect for everyday use or simply as evening wear only – as you wish. The automatic winding mechanism is very efficient and if worn regularly each day, this watch will never need winding and seldom need resetting. The movement winds, runs and sets smoothly and is working perfectly.

*Please note – Our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

Watch Case

The heavy 18ct yellow gold waterproof* watch case measures 35mm, excluding the correct original Omega signed crown. It is in the typically robust design of the period, with strong sweeping lugs and a screw-back. The case was designed to be waterproof and dustproof, made in two-parts with a solid upper body which has an integrated, shallow chamfered bezel and a separate case-back which screws into the upper case.

The case has been cleaned, carefully inspected and very lightly hand-polished as this was all that was required to bring it back to its current tip-top condition, with no scratches dings or marks of any kind visible to the naked eye. The case-back carries the famous Constellation motif which is almost as new. Being 18ct gold, this is usually worn to a greater or lesser extent, but here it is still crisp and distinct, indicating this watch has hardly been worn. The screw-down case-back and sealed crown make this watch water resistant to 20 meters*.

Inside the case-back all is as expected with the correct branding, and correctly signed: ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Swiss Made’, along with Swiss 18ct hallmarks and the Omega model reference number 168 010/11.

*Although originally specified as ‘Water Resistant to 20 meters’, this has not been tested and is not guaranteed. As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is finished with a very high-quality black Crocodile strap and matching gold plated Omega buckle which we feel suits the watch beautifully. However, if you have a preference for another colour or style, please let us know and we will do our best to supply and fit your preferred strap for no extra charge. (If a new Omega strap is preferred, this can be fitted for an extra £90.00). We carry Tan, Conker, Dark Brown and Black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their wonderful range of 19mm straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1967. Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will also be provided at the time of sale with our ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

A vintage Omega presentation box, as shown in the photographs, is included in the sale of this watch.

In Conclusion

A truly beautiful top of the range, 1960s 18ct Omega Constellation in wonderful condition. If you are looking for a great example of a top marque Omega with one of Omega’s best ever automatic movements, this watch ticks all the boxes. The movement is of a very high grade and is equal to watches much more expensive than this. Indeed when new, this watch would have cost more than the equivalent gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Omega Constellation watches are highly collectable and the desirability of this watch means its value will always remain strong.

In addition to being perfectly practical for everyday use, this watch will make an excellent investment and heirloom piece, as well as be something wonderful to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! Even though vintage gold Omega watch prices continue to climb, we still feel sure that top class examples such as this are underpriced. This is because as time passes and the world market for vintage gold Omega watches continues to grow, limited supply means prices will inevitably climb ever higher.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine Vintage Gold Watches.

Thank you.