Omega Constellation Calendar Cal.504 Date Automatic 18ct 1959 – Original Dial

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.

The Dial

The stunning original, unrestored and untouched two-tone dial looks superb. Light yellow in the centre with a gold outer surround, the true beauty of this dial is not truly revealed in the photographs. Furnished with onyx inlaid ‘baton’ hour indices and the original restored ‘Dauphine’ hands, the style is classic for Omega in the late 1950s, and is perfect for both evening wear and regular everyday use. The dial carries the applied gold Omega brand and signature, with ‘Automatic’, ‘Chronometer Officially Certified’ and ‘Constellation Calendar’ with ‘Swiss Made’ below the 6.

The dial has a nice even patina and shows very few signs of ageing except for some light even freckling spread evenly across the dial.

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, due to its unusually good condition, 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. However, if you particularly like this watch and you would prefer to have the dial restored, please contact us to enquire as this can be arranged at cost price.

The Movement

The original Omega Calibre 504, 24 Jewels, Automatic Chronometer Date 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 Constellation with a Cal.504 in an 18ct gold case, in such great conditions this is a difficult watch to find.

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 17,075,747 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

The 35mm Omega case is of exceedingly high quality with a beautifully designed profile and lugs. The case is very sturdy and one of the heaviest Omega Constellations produced.

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 ‘Dennison Made in England’ and ‘Omega Watch Co.’ with Birmingham 18ct hallmarks and the case number 942869.

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 Bull leather 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 watch comes complete with its original Omega presentation box as shown in the photographs.

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 1959.

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

In Conclusion

This is a truly beautiful example of a 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 an 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 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 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 and 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 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 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 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 our landline 020 7727 7095 or mobile 07515 949 250 or if calling from overseas our landline number is +44 207 727 7095 or mobile +44 7515 949 250.

We are here, ready, available and awaiting your call! 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 vintage watches, we will also be happy to hear from you.

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

Thank you.