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 these 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 Omega Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Why This Watch is Important
The Omega Constellation is an iconic timepiece, having been in continuous production since 1952 and is one which has always represented Omega’s most luxurious precision chronometer timepiece. When launched, and throughout the 1950s and ’60s, the Constellation was a more prestigious and expensive piece than the equivalent Rolex Oyster Perpetual and contained a much better movement. Finding a nice vintage Constellation is not all that hard, but finding a nice early Constellation, and in particular, a Deluxe, is much more difficult.
Here we have a rare Constellation Calendar Deluxe model with a solid gold ‘Pie-Pan’ dial carrying ‘Deluxe’ 18ct solid gold hands and hour indices. The watch also has a superb Deluxe 35mm 18ct gold watch case and an equally spectacular Cal.504 bumper automatic Chronometer movement. This fully restored example is in immaculate condition and really does takes some beating. Most examples are firmly locked inside collections of devotees to the vintage brand and model, therefore this is a Constellation that should not be missed.
The Dial
This rarest of ‘Pie Pan’ dials, the ‘Deluxe’, is made in solid gold and radiates a level of luxury rarely seen in contemporary watches. It exudes a special kind of high quality and taste without over-flamboyance, while still remaining a true design icon. The dial is beautifully balanced with applied solid yellow gold hour indices unique to this model. These are matched with original solid yellow gold Dauphine hands. Also unique to this model is the applied Omega brand, signature and star, each made in solid gold.
As this is the Omega Calendar Deluxe, it carries a small date window at 3. In addition to the gold branding, the watch is signed ‘Automatic Chronometer Officially Certified’, with ‘Constellation Calendar’ below and ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial.
The dial has been restored to the highest standards by our dial restorers who are considered to be the best in the UK.
The Movement
The original Omega Calibre 504, 24 Jewels, Bumper Automatic Chronometer movement is a true classic. It was the first Omega Constellation calibre to carry the date function and it is quite rare as it was made in quite small numbers, by far the majority of which are found in the steel, or gold and steel Omega Constellations. A Calibre 504 found in an 18ct Constellation Deluxe is very rare indeed.
The bumper automatic uses an oscillating rotor, which instead of rotating through 360 degrees as in later watches, bounces between two springs to wind the watch.
The movement has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our watchmaker. This involves fully dismantling the movement to all its components, ultrasonic cleaning of all the parts, inspection of all the critical surfaces under high magnification and replacement as required with genuine new original parts. Next, careful reassembly and oiling, using all the correct lubricants to manufacturer’s specification before final testing and calibration. This watch is now running, winding and setting perfectly, having been calibrated and timed at +8 seconds per day! Please note, this timing is outstanding for any watch of this age. The watch movement also has an excellent 46-hr power reserve. We are therefore more than happy to provide our 12 month warranty on this watch*.
The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Swiss’, ‘Adjusted to five positions and temperatures’, 24 Jewels and carries the calibre number 504, along with the serial number 16729207 which dates the manufacture of this watch to 1959.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only included if the list price is paid.
The Watch Case
As mentioned above, Omega Constellations from the 1950s are rare and this Deluxe example is rarest. The 35mm, Omega Swiss-made case is of exceedingly high quality with a beautifully designed profile and lugs. All the lines and edges are well defined, indicating the watch has been very well cared for. The case-back Constellation Observatory motif is also very distinct, again indicating this watch has seen little use.
The case-back, bezel and case body are all in beautiful condition with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye. The watch has been lightly used and very carefully looked after, which has meant that after careful inspection, the case has simply required a professional clean and gentle hand-polish to bring back the almost new look of the watch.
As can be seen, the inside of the case-back is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Swiss Made’, with Geneva Swiss 18ct hallmarks. It also carries the case number 324374 and the Omega model number 2943 / 2954 SC.
As ever our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch has been fitted with a new, high-quality Brown Alligator strap and gold plated Omega buckle. 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 burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, or lizard skin.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures, and hallmarks are all correct, dating the watch to 1959. Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also 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 watch comes complete with its original Omega Constellation presentation box as shown in the photographs.
In Conclusion
This is a wonderful early series Omega Constellation Deluxe dress watch, which is in immaculate condition and very rare – certainly outside of a museum or private collection. Prices of bumper movement gold Constellations are already climbing to around £5,000 when they can be found, and so the list price of this much rarer Deluxe model is very realistic.
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before then 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.
We are happy to accept payment via PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. 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.
If you have any questions please call on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges and outright purchases of similar watches. We will also offer Watch Service, Watch Repairs & Watch Restoration, please see here.
Please take a look at our other fine Vintage Gold Watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
