1986 Omega Constellation Automatic 18ct Gold 368.1075

Here we have a very rare 1986 Omega Constellation Automatic 18ct Gold 368.1075 with a 35mm 18ct Yellow Gold tonneau case; the elegantly flowing lines of the integrated style bracelet lead to a lug-to-lug length of 40mm and a case thickness of just 7.5mm ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side is an 18ct yellow gold signed crown. The 18ct yellow-gold bezel has large black Roman numerals and design elements that remind us of a porthole on a ship; a flat crystal sits above a golden hue dial. An outer minute rail track is precisely executed with applied gold pips marking the hours and, at 3 o’clock, a framed colour-matched date window. Elegant 18ct yellow gold hands are filled with lume and are complemented by a tapered second hand; at 12 o’clock, we have the Omega motif, and at 6 o’clock, “Constellation Chronometer Automatic” completes this striking dress watch. On the reverse, an exhibition case back, hallmarks are present, inside an automatic Omega Cal. 1109, 21 jewels, beating at 28,800 beats per hour; this quality movement has a base of the ETA 2892-A2. The watch comes fitted with its original full and heavy Omega 23mm 18ct yellow gold integrated tapered bracelet with a signed push button concealed clasp; all links are provided and come with its Omega swing tags.

This watch is sold as Watch Only and therefore comes without its Omega box or paperwork but does come with its swing tags. The watch comes paired with its original full and heavy Omega 23mm 18ct yellow gold integrated tapered bracelet with a signed push button concealed clasp; all links are provided. The watch is from Circa. 1986 and is sold in worn condition, but overall in a crisp and sharp condition, as you can see in the photographs. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

It is increasingly becoming harder and harder to find examples like this Omega Constellation in 18ct gold, especially this reference 368.1075 which is the automatic model with an exhibition case back, the one seen more often is the standard quartz reference and typically in a smaller case size than this 35mm beauty. There will forever be something undeniably alluring about an all-gold watch, whilst they can typically be quite loud on the wrist, this one wears beautifully, feels exquisite and doesn't scream too loud as to be unwearable in most situations. I would not hesitate to book an appointment to see this incredible watch on your wrist today, but be warned, you very well may walk away with it on your wrist!

Reference : 368.1075 / 1100.10.00
Movement : Automatic Omega Cal. 1109
Age : Circa. 1986
Year : 1986
Case Size : 35mm
Case Thickness : 7.5mm
Lug to Lug : 40mm
Lugs : 23mm (intergrated)
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : None
Case Material : 18ct Yellow Gold
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 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 Horloger (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.