1967 Omega Constellation Auto 35mm Sprung Bracelet 168.017

Here we have a classic 1967 Omega Constellation Auto 35mm Sprung Bracelet 168.017 with a satin-brushed and polished 34.5mm stainless steel C-shaped case comfortably sitting on your wrist like a cushion. Omega first introduced the Constellation in 1952, at the time, it was Omega's flagship timepiece; the first models had a Cal. 354 bumper movement in them. Later, in 1955, Omega introduced the Automatic Cal. 50x, followed in 1959 by the Cal.55x (no date) and 56x (date) versions. Many of the Constellations came with pie-pan dials, diamond indexes, and fancy lug configurations, and all the gold Constellations of that time had the Observatory of Geneva's hand engraved on the back. The stainless steel and stainless steel/gold versions had a gold medallion on the back with the Observatory of Geneva; the eight stars above the Observatory stand for the many exploits of Omega in the world Chronometer competition, celebrating the fact that all Constellations are Chronometer Certified. In 1964, Omega introduced its first Constellation with the “C” case; due to the case resembling two mirrored Cs, the “C” case was a modern move away from the popular round Constellations of the 1950s. The curvaceous flanks have a polished bevel edge leading to a lug-to-lug length of 40mm and a case thickness of 10mm, ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. An attractive, slim, smooth bezel holds the domed crystal above a silver dial with an outer minute track surrounding applied chamfered edge baton indexes that play with the light as you rotate your wrist. At 3 o’clock, a framed date window. Slender Dauphine hands are complemented with a tapered centre second hand. At 12 o’clock, an applied Omega and “Automatic Chronometer Officially Certified” printed in black. Below at 6 o'clock, “Constellation” and an applied star complete this sophisticated dress watch. On the reverse, there is a screw-down case back with an embossed observatory and eight stars, inside an automatic Omega Cal. 564, 24 jewels, 19,800 beats per hour. It comes paired with its rare 19mm Omega brushed stainless steel sprung bracelet secured by a signed folding clasp.

This watch is sold “Watch Only” and, therefore, without its Omega box and paperwork. It comes paired with its rare 19mm Omega stainless steel sprung bracelet secured by a signed folding clasp. The watch is from Circa 1967 and is sold in worn vintage condition, but overall, it is in fair condition, as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

I do love it when I get a fantastic vintage watch in, but I'm equally excited about its bracelet as I am about the watch itself. That's the case with this amazing Omega Constellation reference 168.017. The example is incredible, with a beautiful subtle patina on the dial, super sharp case, powered by the calibre 564. But then we get to this impressive bracelet. Not only is the design fantastic and super comfortable on the wrist, but the entire bracelet is sprung, far from something you see every day. I would not hesitate to add this amazing example to your collection today!

Reference : 168.017
Movement : Automatic Omega Cal. 564
Age : Circa. 1967
Year : 1967
Case Size : 35mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 40mm
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12 Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

They were formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co., founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds. When he died in 1879, his sons carried on his dream. In 1880, they moved to 96 Rue Jakob-Stampfli, where they remain today. The brothers produced their first mass-produced calibre, the Labrador In 1885. Just a few years later, in 1892, they produced the first minute-repeater. In 1903, they renamed the company Omega until 1982, when they officially changed their name to Omega SA. During WW1, Omega watches were used as official timekeepers for the Royal Flying Corps and the US Army. In 1930, Omega and Tissot merged together to form Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère (SSIH.) In 1931, another group was formed - Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG (ASUAG). Where SSIH was primarily French-speaking, ASUAG was founded by the more German-speaking members of the Swiss watch industry. In 1948, they introduced the first edition of one of its most symbolic watches: the Seamaster. Omega first introduced the Constellation in 1952. At the time, it was Omega's flagship timepiece. The first models had a Cal. 354 bumper movement in them. Later, in 1955, Omega introduced the Automatic Cal. 50x, followed in 1959 by the Cal.55x (no date) and 56x (date) versions. Many of the Constellations came with pie-pan dials, diamond indexes, and fancy lug configurations. All the gold Constellations of that time have the Observatory of Geneva's hand engraved on the back. The stainless steel and stainless steel/gold versions had a gold medallion on the back with the Observatory of Geneva. The eight stars above the Observatory stand for the many exploits of Omega in the world Chronometer competition. Celebrating the fact that all Constellations are Chronometer Certified. In 1962, when astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Speedmaster on his Mercury Sigma 7 Mission, making it the first Omega watch to enter space. After rigorous tests, NASA used Omega for all their Apollo missions, including the 1969 Moon landing of Apollo 11. Today, Omega is still the first choice of astronauts. In 1969, President Nixon famously said it was “too valuable” and turned down the first-ever all-gold Speedmaster Professional Deluxe. As a response to the ever-growing threat of electronic watches to the manufacturers of mechanical watches, Omega and many Swiss brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe formed Centre Electronique Horologer (CEH). Prototypes began to appear in 1967, and their production started in 1968. Then In 1972, Omega introduced the reference, 198.030, which included the Omega calibre 1250, a ‘tuning-fork electronic movement which was made under licence from Bulova. Later we saw a merger of SSIH and ASUAG into SMH, or Société de Microélectronique et d’Horlogerie. This merger took place in 1983. In 1992, the company acquired Blancpain, and in 1998, it officially rebranded itself from SMH to the Swatch Group. Then, in 1999, they purchased and integrated Breguet into the Swatch Group.