Omega Cal.552 Genève Automatic 18ct, 1967

Omega Watches

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. 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 into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission and in 1969, two Omega Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

Here we have a fully restored 18ct yellow gold Omega Genève with an elegant silver-white dial from 1967. Omega watches of this period are very highly regarded for their quality and particularly their movements which are outstanding. Here, the Calibre 552, 24 jewel automatic movement is a gem and following an overhaul and service, is in tip-top condition and running perfectly.

The Omega Genève range of gentleman’s dress watches was first introduced in 1953 and the name Genève was used to differentiate its higher quality watches, with movements only ever produced to exacting standards, by Omega, at its Geneva manufacturing facility.

This style of watch is becoming increasingly popular due to an increased interest in all things 1960s, following the popularity of numerous TV serials set in the period.

The Dial

The style here is classic 1960s Omega, comprising of a silver-white dial with applied ‘baton’ hour indices, matched with original classic ‘Index’ hands. The dial carries an applied gilt Omega brand and is signed ‘Omega’, with ‘Genève’ in the lower part of the dial, and ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom below the 6.

The dial catches the light beautifully as we have tried to demonstrate in the photographs, however it looks much better face to face in real life.

A new original replacement lens has been fitted as part of the restoration.

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

The Movement

The Omega Cal.552, 24 jewel automatic movement fitted to this watch was one of Omega’s most successful movements, remaining in production for almost 20 years.

The Omega Cal.552 movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch perfectly suited for everyday use as well as evening wear. The movement is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +9 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is excellent for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 52-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’ ‘Swiss’, and carries the Calibre 552, along with the serial number 25594322 which dates this watch to 1967.

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

The Case

The two-piece 18ct yellow gold swiss-made watch case measures 33mm in diameter, excluding the original signed Omega winding crown. This would have been a typical/average gents sized watch case in the late 1960s and early ’70s.

The case, as we would expect from Omega, is very solid and well made. Genève watch cases, in particular, are always made to a very high quality and generally of a two-piece construction. This offers a great advantage in terms of resistance to moisture and dust. The press-fit case-back closes with a very solid and satisfying ‘pop’ and the case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.

Having been cleaned, carefully examined and lightly hand-polished by our case maker, the case is totally immaculate, being very crisp with no scratches, dings or other blemishes visible to the naked eye. This, along with the superb general condition of the rest of the watch, indicates this watch has received an excellent level of care and only light use.

The case is of full-thickness and has never been inscribed.

Inside the case-back, the case all is correct and expected, carrying Geneva Swiss 18ct hallmarks. In addition, the case-back carries the case serial number 161033.

This watch has not been tested for water resistance and this is not guaranteed. Here, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A new, tan camel grain leather strap has been fitted, along with a gold-plated Omega buckle, which we feel matches the watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. 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 of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge 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 1967. A detailed Particulars document will be included in the sale with a detailed purchase receipt and 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will also be provided along 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”.

The watch also comes complete with the matching vintage Omega presentation box as shown in the photographs.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy and 12 months’ warranty.*

In Conclusion

This is a first class example of a top quality Omega Genève, in 18ct yellow gold with the superb Omega Cal.552 automatic movement. The movement is of a high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Omega watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong. If treated with care this watch will remain a simply wonderful timepiece to use, wear, treasure and enjoy, providing excellent reliability as well as a sound financial investment – as long-lasting as the watch itself. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold watches expands, availability will become more limited, so prices are surely destined to 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 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 wish 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 us on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas +44 207 727 7095

We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would simply 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 take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches!

Thank you.