Omega Constellation Cal.561 18ct 1961

Omega Watches

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.

Description

The Omega Constellation has been Omega’s flagship Chronometer grade automatic dress watch since 1952 and 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.

Here we have a rare, 18ct yellow gold, black ‘cross-hair’ dial, Omega Constellation from 1961. The good-sized 34mm diameter watch case is in superb all round condition and as with all Omega Constellations, carries the ‘Constellation’ motif on the case-back. This is very distinct, indicating this watch has been used sparingly and has been very well cared for.

The Dial

The stunning ‘cross-hair’ black dial, is simply superb. This has become one of the most popular and sought-after designs in recent years and it isn’t difficult to see why. The black dial contrasts beautifully against the yellow gold case and is furnished with yellow gilt double applied ‘baton’ hour indices and original ‘Dauphine’ hands. The style is classic 1960s Omega and is perfect for both evening wear and regular everyday use.

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

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

The Movement

This is the very high grade, ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’, Omega Calibre 561 automatic, copper-plated beryllium-bronze, 24 jewel movement. As can be seen, it is in superb condition.

Omega movements, design and manufacture really reached a peak in the 1960s, helping to make Omega the most successful and highly regarded watch brand among the general buying public. At the time, for example, this top of the range Omega sold at a premium over the equivalent top of the range Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced, meaning complete disassembly 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 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 level 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 therefore highly confident in offering 12- months warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’ ‘Swiss’, ‘Twenty Four Jewels’, and ‘Cal.561 Adjusted 5 Positions’ with the Serial No. 18311234 which dates the manufacture of this watch to 1961. These movements are highly respected for being robust, exceedingly accurate and highly reliable, making this watch perfect for everyday use or 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, just as it should.

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

The Case

The sturdy, three-piece ribbed, 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the Omega signed crown. The case was made for Omega by Dennison in the UK who made watch cases for many of the top Swiss watch manufacturers at this time. Dennison and Sons in Birmingham and Shackman and Sons in London both produced top quality cases for almost all of the watch brands you see on this website.

Inside the screw-down case-back, we find all the markings are correct and as expected with The Omega Watch Co. triangle and ‘Made In England’ plus the A.L.D Dennison manufacturers stamp. Birmingham U.K. 18ct hallmarks date the watch case to 1961. The case-back carries the Omega model reference numbers 886 and 153027.

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 metres*.

*Although originally specified as Water Resistant to 20 metres, 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 complemented with a very high-quality black Crocodile leather strap and matching gold plated Omega buckle. 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 18mm straps if you wish here.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, all the numbers and markings on the watch are correct, dating the watch to 1961. A detailed written receipt with 12 months warranty and a separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale, along with our unique ‘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”.

This watch comes complete with a matching Omega presentation box, as shown in the photographs.

In Conclusion

This is a truly beautiful example of a 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 an equal to watches much more expensive than this. Indeed when new, as mentioned above, 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 regular 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 remain underpriced. This is because as time passes and the world market for vintage gold Omega watches continues to grow, a limited supply is making prices climb inevitably ever higher.

A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring these 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 inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well-known stores in West London which are very successful, charging between two and 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 bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

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

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

We are here, ready, available and awaiting your call! We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting vintage watches, we will also be happy to hear from you.

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine Vintage Gold Watches!

Thank you.