1967 Omega De Ville Automatic 'Tank' Andrew Grima 24x39mm 551.074

Here we have a rare 1967 Omega De Ville Automatic 'Tank' Andrew Grima, reference 551.074. Andrew Grima, born in 1921, was a well-known Anglo-Italian jewellery designer. He is often called the "father of modern jewellery" because he changed the way jewellery was made after World War II, introducing bold and artistic designs that stood out. He worked with Omega to create a unique collection called "About Time," featuring cases crafted from semi-precious stones rather than glass. Grima attracted many famous clients, including Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and actress Ursula Andress. Andrew Grima passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and striking jewellery designs. In 1967, the De Ville became its own standalone collection, praised for its sophisticated and refined aesthetic, and its success led to it becoming a separate, best-selling line for Omega. Featuring an Andrew Grima 24mm tank-shaped stainless steel case that sits comfortably on your wrist with fine flat-ended lugs. Its perfect angular corners and straight flanks lead to a lug-to-lug length of 39mm and a case thickness of 11mm. On the right side, a slim coin-edged crown. A beautiful, multifaceted mineral crystal sits proudly atop the brushed silver dial. Slender hour markers surround elegant steel hands in the centre. At noon, we have the printed Omega ‘Automatic’ motif, and at 6 o’clock, the De Ville logo completes this sophisticated, minimalist jewel-like timepiece. On the reverse, a snap-off stainless steel case back, inside an automatic Omega Cal. 661, 24 jewels, beating at 19,800 beats per hour, produced from 1961 until 1973. It comes paired with a well-suited 14mm short strap and pin buckle.

This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Omega box or paperwork. It comes paired with a well-suited 14mm short strap and pin buckle. The watch dates from Circa. 1967 and is sold in worn vintage condition; however, it is in very fair condition, as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This is the brilliant 1967 Omega De Ville Automatic 'Tank' Andrew Grima, reference 551.074. Andrew Grima, born in 1921, was a well-known Anglo-Italian jewellery designer. He is often called the "father of modern jewellery" because he changed the way jewellery was made after World War II, introducing bold and artistic designs that stood out. I will always be amazed at how something this beautiful from such a renowned designer and a powerhouse like Omega can be picked up for so little money in the world of watches. Add it to your collection today before you regret missing out on it!

Reference : 551.074
Movement : Automatic Omega Cal. 661
Age : Circa. 1967
Year : 1967
Case Size : 41mm
Case Thickness : 12.5mm
Lug to Lug : 39mm
Lugs : 14mm
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

Formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co. in 1848, it was founded 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 branded itself from SMH to the Swatch Group. Then, in 1999, they purchased and integrated Breguet into the Swatch Group.