Omega De Ville Automatic 9ct 1969

Description

Here we have a simply wonderful, fully restored 9ct gold Omega De Ville Automatic watch with a beautifully restored Off-White dial from 1969. The Omega De Ville range was introduced in 1961 with the Omega Seamaster De Ville. The range has always represented higher quality, slimmer and slightly dressier automatics and this has been carried through to this day.

Omega watches of this period are very highly regarded for their quality and in particular, their movements from this period are outstanding. Here, the Calibre 552, 24 Jewel movement is a gem and following an overhaul and service it is running perfectly and is in absolutely sparkling condition!

The Dial

A classic ’60s Omega slightly Off-White dial with applied Baton hour indices and applied Omega sign below ’12’. The absence of a date window adds to the symmetry and balance of the dial and the restored original gold ‘Index’ hands and gold needle centre seconds hand complete the dial perfectly. It is beautifully simple, functional and elegant, just as a dress watch dial should be.

This is the original dial which has been restored to the highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK. A new Omega lens has also been fitted.

The Movement

The original high grade, Cal.552, 24 Jewels automatic movement is in tip-top condition having just been given a full overhaul and service by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. We are therefore very happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty*.

This Cal.552 movement is highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability and this movement here has been calibrated to run arrow straight within +8 seconds per day! This is no exaggeration – we have checked the test results on our Timegrapher. This movement also has a 48-hour power reserve when fully wound.

The movement is correctly signed Omega Watch Co Swiss and carries the Calibre 552 and the serial number 28664893 which dates this watch to 1969. While the rubber seals have been replaced, the watch has not been tested for water resistance and this is not guaranteed. Here our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

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

The Case

This very high quality and noticeably heavy solid 9ct yellow gold case measures 33mm in diameter, not including the original signed Omega winding crown. This would have been an average / typical gent’s size watch in the early 1960s. This case is actually quite interesting and unusual. It is marked with an elongated ’S’ which looks like the trademark/brand of another Omega case maker and one with which we are not familiar*. The case is made in two pieces and is very solid and well made. The case-back is very sturdy and weighs at least as much, if not more than the case body, which itself is very strong. The two pieces press together with a very solid and satisfying loud ‘click’ which is always an indication of a well made case.

*If anyone recognises the elongated ’s’ brand and can let us know which company it belongs to, we will be very grateful. We have been trawling through our copy of Omega, A Journey Through Time which is the best encyclopaedia on all things Omega, but we have yet to find a reference.

Having been cleaned, carefully examined and lightly hand polished by our case maker, the case is totally immaculate, being very crisp with no scratches, dings or other blemishes visible to the naked eye. This, along with the superb general condition of the rest of the watch, indicates this watch has received an excellent level of care and only light use.

The inside of the case-back carries all the correct London UK 9ct hallmarks and is double signed ‘Omega Watch Co’, and OWC. It carries the reference Omega 161/25421. Incidentally, the London hallmarks date the watch case to 1970 and so this watch could be equally well described as a 1969 or 1970.

The Strap & Buckle

A new high quality Brown leather strap with a gold plated Omega buckle has been fitted, which we feel matches the watch perfectly. 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. However, we 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 18mm straps if you wish here.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, all the numbers and markings on the watch are correct, dating the watch to 1969/1970. A detailed Particulars document will be included in the sale with a detailed purchase receipt and 12 months Warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will also be provided along 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”.

The watch also comes complete with the matching vintage Omega presentation box as shown in the photographs.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a first class example of a top quality Omega De Ville, in 9ct yellow gold with a classic 60’s Off-White dial and the superb Omega Cal.552 movement. The movement is of a high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Omega watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong.

If treated with care this watch will remain a simply wonderful timepiece to use, wear, treasure and enjoy, providing excellent reliability as well as a sound financial investment, as long-lasting as the watch itself. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold watches expands, availability will become more limited, so prices are surely destined to 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 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 wish 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.

Delivery is free within the UK and we charge only £45 for worldwide delivery via DHL or Fedex.

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 on 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 will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale, or if you would simply 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 take a look at our other fine Vintage Gold Watches!

Thank you.