This Watch

We have here a mind-blowing Omega Constellation with the day/date function from 1969.  This particular timepiece has a spectacular linen dial with the day/date function at 3 o'clock.  Straight, black hour, minute and central seconds hands provide a good contrast for easy readability, along with the chrome and black, baton hour markers.  At 12 o'clock, the dial is signed 'Omega, Automatic, Chronometer, Officially Certified,' with the famous Omega logo, and 'Constellation' at 6 with the Constellation's star.  All of this is encircled with the rarer, fluted, white gold bezel.

The stainless steel, "C"-shaped case measures 35mm and is a comfortable wear for both him and her.  We've left the watch in its original, unpolished condition.  Inside is the Omega caliber 751 with quick date change, fully serviced by us and running strongly.  We've paired the watch with a new old stock Omega bracelet, but it can be switched to a strap at your leisure.  This is a classic design and an excellent example of a tried and tested favourite from the 1960s.

Extra Points 

Formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co. it was founded by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1848. In 1903 they renamed the company Omega until 1982 when they officially changed their name to Omega SA. They are part of the Swiss Swatch Group. Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chax de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed it's name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph to be chosen by the NASA in 1965, the first watch worn on the moon.

Constellation was initially released as model 168.009 in December 1964. The first C-Shapes, designed by Gérald Genta, were indeed powered by the non-quickset date calibre 561 and examples of calibre 561-powered Cs were produced until around the middle of 1966. Somewhere during the history of this model (quite early if available evidence is to be believed) the model description morphed into case number 168.017. Many cases from the earlier production period can be seen with the number 168.009/017 or with both numbers stamped on the inner case back. Later calibre 564 C-Shape case backs often show only 168.017. This particular watch is the rarer day / date version, model  1680019 with chronometer caliber 751. Constellations powered by calibre 564 started reaching the shops in the first half of 1966: the C-Shaped and 35mm round models being the earliest cases to house the movement. Also housing calibre 564 was the new monocoque (one shell) series that featured the some of last of the pie pan dials along with more contemporary flat dials.

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