Omega Constellation Cal.561 18ct Gold Dial 1960/61

Omega

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 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 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.

The Omega Constellation has remained 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.

Description

Here we have a rare 18ct yellow gold Omega Constellation from 1960 with a solid 18ct gold cross-hair dial. This watch carries the amazing Calibre 561 movement which was Omega’s state of the art movement at the time it was produced. The heavy 18ct watch case measures 34mm in diameter and in superb all-round condition. As with all Omega Constellations, this watch carries the ‘Constellation’ motif on the case-back which is very distinct, indicating this watch has been used sparingly and has been very well cared for.

This watch is immaculate, having just completed full restoration by our team. The movement, in particular, is in spectacular condition. Omega Constellation movements have always been highly regarded for their accuracy and dependability so these are considered to be one of the most practical everyday vintage watches one can buy.

The Dial

The stunning sunburst solid gold dial with ‘cross-hair’ and date function looks simply superb. This has become one of the most sought-after designs in recent years and it isn’t difficult to see why. Furnished with gold ‘baton’ hour indices, inlaid with black onyx, and the original restored Dauphine hands, it really catches the light beautifully and looks far better in real life than in the photographs. The style is classic 1960s Omega and is perfect for both evening wear and regular everyday use.

The dial also carries the applied gold Omega brand and signature, with ‘Automatic’ ‘Chronometer Officially Certified’ and ‘Swiss Made’ below the ‘6’.

A new correct replacement Omega lens has been fitted as part of the restoration. This carries the minute Omega symbol in the very centre of the dial.

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

Movement

This is the original 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 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. As can be seen, the spectacular beryllium bronze movement looks superb and is in superb condition.

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 +6 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 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. 17441157 which dates the manufacture of this watch movement to 1960. 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.

Watch Case

The sturdy three-piece ribbed, 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the Omega signed crown. The case was made for Omega by Dennison in the U.K. who made watch cases for many of the top Swiss watch manufacturers at this time. Dennison and Sons in Birmingham and Shackman and Sons in London, both produced top quality cases for almost all of the watch brands you see on this website.

Inside the screw-down case-back we find all the markings are correct and as expected with The Omega Watch Co. triangle and ‘Made In England’ plus the A.L.D Dennison manufacturers stamp. Birmingham UK 18ct hallmarks date the watch case to 1961*. The case-back also carries the Omega model reference numbers 886 and 112944.

*Note – it is not unusual for a watch case to be hallmarked in a year following the year in which the movement was produced. This watch could therefore rightfully be referred to as either a 1960 or a 1961 watch.

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-back carries the famous Constellation motif which is almost as new. Being 18ct gold, this is usually worn to a greater or lesser extent, but here it is still crisp and distinct, indicating this watch has hardly been worn. The screw-down case-back and sealed crown make this watch water resistant to 20 meters*.

*Although originally specified as Water Resistant to 20 meters, 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 Strap and Buckle

The watch is finished with a very high quality brown Teju Lizard strap and matching 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. (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 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.

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 1960. Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will also be provided at the time of sale 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”.

A vintage Omega presentation box, as shown in the photographs, is included in the sale of this watch.

In Conclusion

A truly beautiful 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 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.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK 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.

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.