Omega Constellation Cal.561 18ct 1966

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 40s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 50s 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 18ct Omega Constellation has been Omega’s flagship Chronometer grade automatic dress watch since 1952. It was a development of the Omega 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, perhaps, one of the most elegant and popular examples of the Omega Constellation range from 1966, in 18ct solid gold with a simply beautiful Ivory Cream dial. The good-sized 35mm diameter watch case is in superb all round condition and as with all Omega Constellations, this watch carries the ‘Constellation’ motif on the case-back. This is somewhat worn, but is still distinct, indicating this watch has been regularly used and well cared for.

Most fortunately, this watch also comes with its very rare, matching original Omega Constellation presentation box and its matching solid gold Omega buckle.

The Dial

This beautifully restored Ivory Cream dial is, we think, one of the most elegant and attractive, across the Constellation range throughout the 1960s. It is very clean, simple and elegant and herein lies its charm. The dial provides a beautifully soft and subtle contrast with the yellow gold case and yellow gilt hour indices and hands. It also creates an impression that the watch is a little larger than its actual 35mm size.

Applied gilt baton hour indices around the dial are matched by the original gilt ‘Dauphine’ hands and needle centre seconds hand. Please take a good look at this fabulous dial. Depending on how the dial catches the light, it changes from a Chalk White to an Ivory Cream and we have tried to demonstrate this in the accompanying photographs. Note – any imperfections you may see are caused by the camera or lighting and are not on the dial.

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 some time ago to a very high standard. It has therefore aged a little, adding to the charm of the watch.

The Case

The 18ct yellow gold case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the Omega signed crown. The case, in keeping with the dial, is of a simple and clean design and exudes quality and elegance. It is of a three-piece construction with a screw-down case-back, making the design impervious to water and dust.

Inside the case-back, we find all the markings are correct and as expected, signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Swiss Made’ and with 18K-0.750 Geneva hallmarks. The case-back carries the Omega model reference number 168004/14. The rear of one of the lugs also bears a Swiss 18ct hallmark.

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. There are no scratches, dings, dimples or marks of any kind, visible to the naked eye. The case-back carries the famous Constellation motif which is clear and distinct, but partly worn, indicating the watch has been regularly used, but very well cared for. The screw-down case-back and sealed crown make this watch water resistant to 30 metres*.

Although originally specified as ‘Water Resistant to 30 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 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 was really at its peak during the 1960s, helping to make Omega the most successful and highly regarded brand among the general buying public. At this 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 of the watch movement, 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 +9 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. 24474521, which dates the manufacture of this watch to 1966. 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 Strap and Buckle

The watch is complimented with a very high quality Brown Crocodile leather strap and matching original 18ct solid yellow gold 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 we can also obtain most types and colours at short notice. We 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. Note – original 18ct Omega buckles are now worth a minimum of £250.00 and so if this is not required, we will be very happy to reduce the price by this amount.

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 1966. 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”.

The matching, and now becoming very rare, original vintage Omega Constellation presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale. These are now worth a minimum of £200.00 and so once again, if this is not required, we will be very happy to reduce the price by this amount.

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, this watch would have cost more than the equivalent gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Omega Constellation watches are highly collected 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 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 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 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.

We will 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 our landline 020 7727 7095 or mobile 07515 949 250 or if calling from overseas our landline number is +44 207 727 7095 or mobile +44 7515 949 250.

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.