1969 Omega Constellation Day Date Automatic 35mm 168.016

Here we have a 1969 Omega Constellation Day Date Automatic 168.016 featuring a 35mm stainless steel case that curves over your wrist with a lug-to-lug length of 40.5mm and a case thickness of 11.5mm. Its classic profile has brushed and polished flanks with chamfered edged straight end lugs. On the right side is a signed crown, and a radially brushed bezel holds a crystal above an off-white dial. An outer minute track features Tritium pips and applied black painted baton indexes marking the hours, complemented at 3 o'clock by a framed day-date window. Small mark visible on the dial, see the additional photos. Slender baton hands tipped with Tritium sweep across the dial, while precisely printed text sits at 12 and 6 respectively, anchored by the applied Omega logo and Constellation star. On the reverse, a screw-down case back features the iconic embossed Observatory and eight stars in the centre. Inside sits an automatic Omega Cal. 751, 24 jewels, beating at 19,800 beats per hour, a certified chronometer movement renowned for its reliability and precision. The watch comes paired with a 19mm leather strap and Omega reproduction pin buckle.

This watch is sold as ‘Watch Only’; therefore, it comes without its original Omega box or original paperwork. The watch comes paired on a 19mm leather strap with an Omega reproduction pin buckle. The watch is from Circa. 1969 and is sold in worn condition, but overall this is a lovely example, original condition for its age, with a small mark on the dial close to the centre, as you can see from the additional photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This is a beautiful example of a vintage Constellation, and what immediately stands out to me is just how crisp and sharp the case remains. Those original lines and chamfered edges are such an important part of the design, and they give the watch a fantastic presence on the wrist. The dial is equally attractive, although there is a small mark near the centre which becomes visible when the hands aren't covering it. I've made sure this is clearly shown in the additional photographs. For me, it doesn't detract from what is a wonderfully honest example. With that sharp case, classic Constellation design and superb chronometer Calibre 751 inside, there's an awful lot to love here. Add this vintage gem to your collection today!

Reference : 168.016
Movement : Automatic Omega Cal. 751
Age : Circa. 1969
Year : 1969
Case Size : 35mm
Case Thickness : 11.5mm
Lug to Lug : 40.5mm
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. 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.