Omega Constellation Tonneau Cal.712 18ct 1965

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 Omega Constellation has been Omega’s flagship chronometer grade automatic dress watch since 1952. It was a development of Omega’s highly successful Centenary Chronometer Automatics, 2499 and 2500, released in 1948 to celebrate Omega’s first 100 years of high-end watch manufacture.

Here we have a first-class example which in 1965 was from the very top of the Omega Constellation range. It is in wonderful original, unrestored condition and made in 18ct solid gold with an 18ct solid gold dial. The substantial and heavy 32mm diameter Tonneau watch case is in immaculate condition.

These watches are particularly reliable and robust making this perfectly suited for both evening wear or everyday use, should you so wish.

The Dial

The beautiful original, rare gold linen dial is simply superb. This is a classic Omega Constellation dial design which has become highly sought after in recent years, especially in as good a condition as this one, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Furnished with gold ‘baton’ hour indices inlaid with black onyx, along with the original, unrestored ‘index’ hands, it really catches the light beautifully and looks far better in real life than in the photographs. The style is classic Omega and is perfect for both evening wear and regular everyday use.

The dial also carries the applied gold Omega brand and is signed ‘Omega Automatic Chronometer Officially Certified’ with ‘Constellation’ above 6 and ‘Swiss Made’ below the ‘6’.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusual condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

This is the original very high grade, ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’, Omega Calibre 712 automatic, copper-plated beryllium-bronze, 24 jewel movement which is in sparkling condition. As can be seen, the spectacular beryllium bronze movement looks superb and 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 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 +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 a 48-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore highly confident in offering 12- months warranty on this watch movement*.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co Swiss’, ‘Twenty Four Jewels’ and ‘Cal.712 Adjusted 5 Positions’ with the Serial No. 23178450 which dates the manufacture of this watch movement to 1965. 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

This 18ct solid gold case measures 32mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega signed crown. This Omega Tonneau case is very heavy and robust and measures 32mm top to bottom and 43mm across the diagonal, including the wonderful lugs.

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, as we would expect from Omega, is very solid and well made and the press-fit case-back closes with a very solid and satisfying ‘pop’, indicating the case has been impeccably built and maintained.

Inside the press-fit case-back, we find all the markings are correct and as expected.  It carries the Omega Watch Co. triangle and is signed “Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’.   The serial number 153015 is also found here,  along with 18K-0.750 Swiss Geneva hallmarks.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is finished with a very high quality black crocodile strap and 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. 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 straps and if you prefer, let us know your choice and we will order and fit this to your watch.

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 1965.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. 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 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The high quality hardwood presentation box, as shown in the photographs, is included in the sale of this watch.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. 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 check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

A truly first-class top of the range 1965 18ct Omega Constellation Tonneau 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 then 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.

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.