Omega Constellation 18ct Tonneau Cal.564 1972

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 and 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.

In almost new condition, here we have a first-class example from the very top of the Omega Constellation range from 1972, in 18ct solid gold with a sunburst gold dial. The substantial and heavy 36mm diameter Tonneau watch case is in immaculate condition and as with all Omega Constellations, carries the Constellation motif on the case-back. Here this is still crisp and hardly worn indicating this watch has led a particularly sheltered life.

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

The Dial

This watch carries the highly exclusive sunburst gold dial, which is in tip-top, original, unrestored condition. This specification made this a highly expensive luxury watch when new, more expensive in fact than the equivalent Rolex Oyster Perpetual.

The gold ‘baton’ hour indices around the dial are inlaid with black onyx and matched by the original matt black enamelled gold hands and the original gold centre seconds hand.

The dial carries the applied gold OMEGA brand and Constellation name, with ‘Automatic Officially Certified Chronometer’ at 12 o’clock and ‘Swiss Made’ below the ‘6’.

The correct, original specification Omega lens is clear and carries the tiny Omega brand in the very centre of the lens which you may just make out, in one or two of the photographs.

The Movement

This is the very high grade, ‘Officially Certified Chronometer’, Omega Calibre 564 automatic, copper-plated beryllium-bronze 24 Jewel movement which as can be seen, is in absolute tip-top, sparkling condition.

These movements have a very efficient self-winding mechanism and are highly accurate and reliable, making this an ideal watch for regular use, should you so wish. Once set and worn, you will seldom need to make any adjustments if worn daily.

The movement has been fully overhauled by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means disassembling the watch movement down 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. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +7 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions – checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. Please bear in mind, this kind of performance is outstanding for any watch, particularly of this age. The movement also has a 46 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. 564 Adjusted 5 Positions’ with the serial number 32,974,890 which dates the watch to 1972. These watches are well known for their exceedingly robust, accurate and reliable movements making this watch perfect for everyday use or simply as 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.

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

The Case

This 18ct solid gold case measures 36mm in diameter, excluding the Omega signed crown. This Omega Tonneau case is very heavy and robust, giving the watch a good deal of ‘presence’ on the wrist. This watch has the beautiful addition of the brushed lugs and the wonderful radial engraved bezel.

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 30 metres*.

Inside the screw-down case-back, we find all the markings are correct and as expected with the Omega Watch Co. triangle and ‘Swiss Made’, along with 18K-0.750 Geneva hallmarks. The case-back carries the Omega model reference numbers 168009 and 168017. The rear of one of the lugs also carries a Swiss 18ct hallmark.

*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 Strap & Buckle

The watch has been fitted with a high quality brown Alligator strap with a matching gold-plated Omega buckle. We think this contrasts very nicely with the yellow gold case and dial,  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 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 straps if you wish, here.

The 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 1972.

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”.

A high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

In Conclusion

A rare and exceptional vintage gold Omega Constellation dress watch with an 18ct yellow gold case. The movement is of a very high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Indeed when new, this watch would have cost more than the equivalent Rolex. Omega watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong.

A word about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very best 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 choose to pay by UK bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Please contact us to reserve the watch and request our bank details. 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 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 that happen to visit the UK 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 your watch directly to you there.

Please note, we also 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, Repair, or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions, please call our landline 020 7727 7095. 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 like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting, we will also be very happy to hear from you. We await your call!

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine vintage gold watches.