Up for sale is this super cool late 1960s reference 168.045 - 368.845 Omega Constellation Day-Date in Jumbo tonneau all-steel case with white gold bezel on its original integrated 1155 bracelet. This model is something of a precursor to other famous avant-garde integrated bracelet watches like the Gerald Genta-designed AP Royal Oak and Patek Nautilus. As a major design contributor for many Omega Constellations during the late 1950s and throughout 1960s who knows if there isn’t some Genta DNA in this model, as well?

This example features its original, unrestored non-luminous brushed silver dial in beautiful Near Mint condition. It also has the highly regarded Omega chronometer caliber 751 under the hood, arguably the last of Omega’s great in-house movements until the modern era, and it was fully serviced in 2015. The watch as a whole is in Excellent vintage condition, shows little if any polish and displays sharp chamfers. If you want to talk cheap thrills in the overheated vintage watch world this model of Connie has got be high up on the list: great size, water resistant steel case and excellent chronometer movement, all in a fantastically funky package. If you are a fan of late '60s/early '70s neo-futurism like I am what’s not to like?

The asking price for this beautiful example of unusual Jumbo Omega Constellation is $875 USD OBRO. Fully insured FedEx shipping will be at cost for this watch, about +$25 for Domestic US and +$50 for International. Bank Wire always preferred but Paypal is also OK with split fees (+2% to the buyer). Other payment options upon application. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting.

CASE & CASEBACK: Avant-garde ergonomic cushion-shaped 3-piece case in stainless steel with solid white gold coin edge bezel and screw in water resistant steel back measures 36mm wide (not including crown) x 41mm long x about 11mm thick to the top of the crystal. Being a rectangular shape, this wears quite a bit larger than it sounds and this is certainly one of the biggest vintage Constellations. There are some minor marks from wear but the case shows minimal if any polish (maybe some re-brushing to the crown side?) and the curved chamfers are still quite crisp -- easily Excellent vintage condition. The subtle yet handsome white gold bezel is likewise unpolished with a very sharp coin edge pattern, Near Mint. The outer caseback also appears unpolished and shows a perfectly crisp Constellation medallion but also has several tool marks from poor opening technique — therefore merely Good to Very Good external cosmetic condition. The caseback screws into the case nice & tightly and the inner back is corrosion free. Correct reference number and all other correct period nomenclature are present inside the back.

DIAL & HANDS: Near Mint condition original horizontally brushed silver non-luminous dial featuring wide, hand-riveted white gold faceted bar markers with black enamel accents, applied Omega symbol and framed day-date window. This dial shows virtually no sings of age and the finish also has a neat quality in that it appears to change from dark pewter to bright silver depending on the angle at which you look at it. All original factory-printed inverted dial printing is otherwise present and crisp. The ultra-legible black enamel stick hands and sweep seconds are likewise Near Mint.

CROWN: Original slightly recessed Omega-signed steel winding crown is Excellent+. The crown winds and pulls out first to the time setting and then the rapid quickset date positions, as it should.

CRYSTAL: Omega-signed acrylic crystal is in Excellent+ condition with only some fine scratches and no chips or cracking.

MOVEMENT: 24-Jewel caliber 751 full-rotor automatic movement adjusted to 5 positions and temperature with day and date complications, arguably the last of Omega’s great mass-produced movements prior to the modern era. The movement serial # of 29,45x,xxx dates it to circa 1969. Copper plating is intact and bright with some minor marks from past servicing and some wear to the finish of the rotor but all bridges match in tone perfectly. With this caliber one aligns the two calendar features by cycling through to the correct day with full 24-hour rotation of the hands and then matching the date by utilizing the quickest feature by repeatedly pulling the crown out to the second detent position (the semi-quickset maneuver of rapidly moving the hands between around 9 pm and 1 am also works). The day disc is in English. I last had the movement fully overhauled in November 2015 so it is keeping very good time with a strong power reserve and the date functions working as they should. I guarantee this to be the case at the time of shipping.

BRACELET: This funky Connie comes on its correct original 1155/146 bracelet with integrated ends. Fastened by screwed bars, the bracelet meets the case precisely at its widest point, giving the watch a one-piece retro-futuristic look that would be at home in “2001: A Space Odyssey” or “Space: 1999.” It is in Excellent condition overall with very minimal stretch, slight evidence of torquing where the first two links meet the case, which is typical, and some wear and marks to the original clasp. The bracelet is also quite long with several removable links and should fit about a 7 3/4” wrist at full micro adjustment length, perhaps slightly larger.

As a matter of policy, I make NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way, shape or form.

This great Vintage Omega Constellation is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer. This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
tomvox1@hotmail.com