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 ’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 into 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 is iconic, having remained 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 more prestigious and more expensive than the equivalent Rolex Oyster Perpetual and also contained a finer movement.
This watch carries the Omega Calibre 561 Chronometer Date Automatic movement which is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability and the 18ct yellow gold case measures a wonderful 34mm, making this a good sized watch for its period.
The Dial
The beautiful original, unrestored and untouched silver 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, original unrestored ‘dauphine’ style hands and the wonderful addition of a date window at ‘3’, it really catches the light beautifully and looks far better in real life than in the photographs. The style is classic 1950s 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’ below and ‘Swiss Made’ below the ‘6’.
As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good 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
The Omega Cal.561, 24 Jewel movement fitted to this watch was one of Omega’s most highly regarded and successful movements, remaining in production for almost 20 years.
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 and at the time of testing, immediately following its service, results were within +15 seconds per day. This is truly outstanding for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 50-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are 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 561, along with the serial number 20,990,841 which dates this watch to 1963.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
Watch Case
The heavy 18ct yellow gold three-peice watch case was designed to be waterproof and dustproof and measures 34mm, excluding the correct original Omega signed crown. It is in the typically robust design of the period, with strong sweeping lugs and a screw-back. The case is simply stunning and in outstanding, original, unrestored condition.
The case has been cleaned, carefully inspected and very gently hand-polished to remove some tarnish, 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 far greater 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 metres*
As this is a Dennison made case, inside the case-back all is as expected and correctly signed: with The Omega Watch Co. triangle and ‘A.L.D’ with the case serial number 305651 and the model reference 1685415. The case also carries Birmingham 18ct hallmarks. 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.
*Please note – Although originally specified as ‘Water Resistant to 20 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 and Buckle
The watch is finished with a very high quality brown leather 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. 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 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 1963.
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 totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.
This watch comes complete with a matching Omega presentation box as shown in the photographs.
If you would like to pay by bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this. 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 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.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
A truly beautiful top of the range, 1950s 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 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.
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.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
