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gmmy775
·I have been collecting vintage Omega for about 4-5 years now, it is all a blur at my age. High up on my list was a “Pie Pan” with 500 series works. However, when I would enjoy the spectacular examples shown in OF I wondered if I would ever be able to locate, or afford, one that approached the quality of those I routinely viewed on this forum. I kept looking and I had narrowed my quest down to a few that fit what struck a chord with me. A sweet dial was utmost in my requirements, but I had also refined my wish list to wanting one with the “Round” case. And since I didn’t own one, I was leaning towards a cal. 561. I already have a dome dialed “Dogleg”, and because my wrists are sort of large I thought the extra millimeter or so of this “Round” would work well. There are other references of the “Round” that are very similar. What differentiates the 168.004 from the others is the almost invisible crown, and the somewhat more detailed lugs. The under facets on these lugs remind me of the crisp elements on the “Dog Leg”.
Utilizing all the sage advice I have gathered on OF, I had found several of this reference. I could choose from the sharply defined pie pan, or this one, with the lower, rounder interpretation. All things being equal, I chose this one. To me, it recalls the earliest dials, particularly since it has something of a sectored vibe to it. Additionally, it has the onyx inlays in the furniture, which the others did not. And from the images provided it really didn’t appear to have ever seen a polishing wheel. I was somewhat dissuaded by the “cyclops” on the crystal, but when I actually handled it I learned that the magnifier is on the underside…and it has the Omega symbol in the center. The final determinator for me was this example came with the nice Omega box.
So now it is mine, and I have hardly stopped admiring it. I still massively enjoy those “next level” Connies that are on OF, but for now this itch is scratched. I did have to add a number of links from a very similar bracelet reference, and for sure I am looking for the correct links to substitute, when I acquire them. On that note, this arrived with a 1503 with 72 endlinks. My data shows that initially this ref was delivered with the 1037/522 combo. The links I added were from a donor 1037. I could have gone either way, 1037 with 1503 added, or vice versa. I stayed with the 1503 for a couple of reasons. First, I had read an opinion from a far more seasoned OF collector than myself that they felt the 1503 suited the flatter layout of the “Round” case, and I concur. And secondly because though it works either way, the 1307 clasp side links are just a tiny fraction smaller, an IMHO they look better at the tail end. As an aside, it didn’t appear that the bracelet had been off the case in decades….the spring bars were totally green, and I had to resort to a very fine blade on my jewelers saw to remove the bracelet.
This “Connie” contains a nice Omega caliber 561 automatic 24 Jewel “date” movement. It has nice plating and minimal decoration, adjusted in five positions, and signed. This 19800 bph movement will be jumping to the head of the line for service. It was tested on the Timegrapher in the dial up position and delivered +1/-4 seconds per day; a balance wheel amplitude at full wind of 192 degrees; and a beat error of 0.0 milliseconds. The amplitude and shot out gasket suggest to me that it has not seen a service for some time, so wrist time will be seldom.
Spec sheet:
Omega ref 168.004 ss auto cal 561 date non-quickset
Width w/o Crown: 35.55 mm
Length: 40.00 mm
Depth: 10.15 mm w/crystal
Lug Width: 18.00 mm
Crystal: 31.45Dia mm, in watch. Hesalite, signed
Crown: 3.65Dia mm, signed
Case Back Diameter: 30.12 mm
Case Back Thread OD: 29.85 mm
Clasp Width: 11.95 mm, signed
Inside case back inscription: Omega symbol and Omega Watch Company, inside triangle; Fab Suisse; Swiss Made; Acier Inoxydable; ST168.004; “KB”, inside an arched box
Engraving on outside case back: embossed Observatory w/8 stars
Movement: cal. 561 24 jewel Automatic, 19800 bph, adjusted to five positions
Engraving on Movement: Adjusted to Five Positions and Temperature; Twenty-Four 24 Jewels; the number “1” inside the Omega symbol; Omega Watch Co engraved on Rotor; serial number
Timegrapher 1900 readings: +1/-4 seconds a day; 192 degrees of amplitude; 0.0 milliseconds of beat error; 49 degrees lift angle
Utilizing all the sage advice I have gathered on OF, I had found several of this reference. I could choose from the sharply defined pie pan, or this one, with the lower, rounder interpretation. All things being equal, I chose this one. To me, it recalls the earliest dials, particularly since it has something of a sectored vibe to it. Additionally, it has the onyx inlays in the furniture, which the others did not. And from the images provided it really didn’t appear to have ever seen a polishing wheel. I was somewhat dissuaded by the “cyclops” on the crystal, but when I actually handled it I learned that the magnifier is on the underside…and it has the Omega symbol in the center. The final determinator for me was this example came with the nice Omega box.
So now it is mine, and I have hardly stopped admiring it. I still massively enjoy those “next level” Connies that are on OF, but for now this itch is scratched. I did have to add a number of links from a very similar bracelet reference, and for sure I am looking for the correct links to substitute, when I acquire them. On that note, this arrived with a 1503 with 72 endlinks. My data shows that initially this ref was delivered with the 1037/522 combo. The links I added were from a donor 1037. I could have gone either way, 1037 with 1503 added, or vice versa. I stayed with the 1503 for a couple of reasons. First, I had read an opinion from a far more seasoned OF collector than myself that they felt the 1503 suited the flatter layout of the “Round” case, and I concur. And secondly because though it works either way, the 1307 clasp side links are just a tiny fraction smaller, an IMHO they look better at the tail end. As an aside, it didn’t appear that the bracelet had been off the case in decades….the spring bars were totally green, and I had to resort to a very fine blade on my jewelers saw to remove the bracelet.
This “Connie” contains a nice Omega caliber 561 automatic 24 Jewel “date” movement. It has nice plating and minimal decoration, adjusted in five positions, and signed. This 19800 bph movement will be jumping to the head of the line for service. It was tested on the Timegrapher in the dial up position and delivered +1/-4 seconds per day; a balance wheel amplitude at full wind of 192 degrees; and a beat error of 0.0 milliseconds. The amplitude and shot out gasket suggest to me that it has not seen a service for some time, so wrist time will be seldom.
Spec sheet:
Omega ref 168.004 ss auto cal 561 date non-quickset
Length: 40.00 mm
Depth: 10.15 mm w/crystal
Lug Width: 18.00 mm
Crystal: 31.45Dia mm, in watch. Hesalite, signed
Crown: 3.65Dia mm, signed
Case Back Diameter: 30.12 mm
Case Back Thread OD: 29.85 mm
Clasp Width: 11.95 mm, signed
Inside case back inscription: Omega symbol and Omega Watch Company, inside triangle; Fab Suisse; Swiss Made; Acier Inoxydable; ST168.004; “KB”, inside an arched box
Engraving on outside case back: embossed Observatory w/8 stars
Movement: cal. 561 24 jewel Automatic, 19800 bph, adjusted to five positions
Engraving on Movement: Adjusted to Five Positions and Temperature; Twenty-Four 24 Jewels; the number “1” inside the Omega symbol; Omega Watch Co engraved on Rotor; serial number
Timegrapher 1900 readings: +1/-4 seconds a day; 192 degrees of amplitude; 0.0 milliseconds of beat error; 49 degrees lift angle
