Omega Constellation Calibre 751 18ct 1969 Day Date with Solid Gold Dial

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 ’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 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 most elegant and popular example of the Omega Constellation range from 1969, in 18ct solid gold with a simply stunning original, unrestored solid gold dial. The good-sized 35mm diameter watch case is in superb all-round condition and as with all Omega Constellations, the watch carries the ‘Constellation’ motif on the case-back. This is crisp and distinct, indicating this watch has been lightly used and well cared for.

This watch is also unusually rare in having both a day and quickset date function which was incredibly advanced in its day.

Note: As the date of manufacture of this watch is confirmed by its movement serial number, dated to 1969, this watch would make a wonderful 60th birthday or anniversary present.

The Dial

This beautiful, original and unrestored solid gold dial is from the beginning of the more avant-garde designs which were introduced by Omega at the end of the 1960s. Reminiscent of the time and changes in popular culture, resulting from the incredible excitement surrounding man’s first landing on the moon, it’s no coincidence that wristwatches also changed around this time to reflect this. Of course, this was a period of many advances in technology such as the 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 ’60s 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 carried over from earlier watches, although here also inlaid with black Onyx. The dial has an almost pastel lemon colour in certain lights and moves towards a much warmer gold colour under indoor lighting, as we have we have tried to demonstrate 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 provides a beautifully soft and subtle contrast with the yellow gold case and yellow gilt hour indices and hands. The slightly exaggerated size of the radially engraved flat bezel also creates an impression that the watch is a little larger than its actual 35mm size.

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 we have left completely untouched. It has therefore aged a little, adding to the charm of the watch.

The Case

The substantial 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 168016.

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

Omega movements, design and manufacture were really at their 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.

This is the very high grade, ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’, Omega Calibre 751 automatic, copper-plated beryllium-bronze, 24 jewel movement which as can be seen, is in superb condition. The Calibre 751 is known as the 24 jewels, day, quickset date, chronometer movement and was incredibly advanced in its day.

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 winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +7 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 an excellent 50-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.751 Adjusted 5 Positions with the Serial No. 27283905, which dates the manufacture of this watch to 1969. 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 complemented with a very high-quality Black Hirsch Grand Duke Crocodile leather strap and gold plated Omega buckle. This is quite a heavy and immensely strong strap which we feel suits the watch. If however, 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. 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 1969. 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 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 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 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 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 our landline on 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.