Hi OF Family,

Fair warning, this is going to be a long one! But I think this is a pretty special package with some cool history, so allow me to wax poetically and share some pics (okay A LOT of pics) and some research:

Offering up this beautiful Omega Constellation 168.019 with rare dark gray sunburst dial. The watch was made in 1969 and sold in 1970 in the Marshall Islands in 1970 to an American engineer who was one of 1000 people on the tiny island at the time! More on that later with paperwork and pics.

This is one I wanted for a while, having missed it when it was originally sold out of Europe, then buying it from the next owner... BUT I've been overindulging end of last year/beginning of this year, so a few are being offered for sale. This one will hurt to let go, but I hope keeping it in the OF family, knowing it's going to a fellow collector, will ease the pain a bit!

THE WATCH: That dark gray sunburst dial! It's a real treat on the wrist - the day/date stands out, allowing the rest of the dial to go from monochromatic in some lighting to a vibrant shine in others. Looks incredible in person. That crispy white writing is just sweet.

These day/dates seem to be more prone to wear than other Constellation references, not sure why that is but you'll see this one does have some wear. Most notably by "OMEGA" at the top of the dial, with a bit near the 11 and 12 markers, and the 2 marker. Much less noticeably on the wrist/in person, but something I wanted to point out. As you'll see later from the paperwork and research, this one has lived a pretty incredible life so, like most of us, has a few marks to show for it!




CRYSTAL: In fantastic shape but I do not see the Omega symbol in the center so I believe it was changed out at the last service.



THE CASE: This thing is crisp! I never like to say "unpolished" because when you're talking about a watch that's 50 plus years old, who knows really, but I can say the case retains all its original lines and is just stunning - so I'll let the pics speak for themselves:

View attachment 1356556

BRACELET: Incredible original 1040 Omega bracelet with its original 518 end links all in great shape. It's tight, all the brushing is in great shape, the end links fit snug, and the clasp closes very securely. I've had a few vintage Omega bracelets over the years and can say this one is about the best I've found. Currently sized for my 6.5 inch wrist, it also includes 3 additional links (pictured later):



CROWN: Original and in great shape:



MOVEMENT: The Omega cal 751 is a beauty and a workhorse. I was told by the previous seller this was serviced in 2020 but as I don't have a receipt for that/didn't have the work done myself, I can't guarantee it. I CAN say the watch keeps great time, sets perfectly, and the cool pull/push quickset date feature work exactly as it should. Also, as you'll see from the pics supplied by the original seller, the markings inside the case back seem to support a 2020 service:



PAPERWORK AND ADDITIONAL STRAPS: Really cool and rare to have the original paperwork! And I just think it's incredible to imagine this watch being delivered to a tiny island in 1970 to begin its life on the wrist of an American engineer as he and his wife settle in to what must have been more than a bit of culture shock! And to have all that survive in this condition just makes me smile!

The seller I purchased from was kind enough to include a few extra straps, one of which is a $150 Collected Man strap in light gray that really works well with this, as well as a darker gray suede strap. They are both 19mm and perfect for this watch so they will be included as well:



Now if you've gotten this far you're probably, like me, a bit of a research and history nerd - so here's a bit more for you. I found some info one the original owner and his wife (may they both rest in peace) including a link (page 8) to a party they were throwing on the island, which from the date, was only a few months after Mr. Wardlaw purchased this watch!

https://www.mobilefuneralservice.com/obituary/James-Wardlaw

https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/gisela-wardlaw-obituary?pid=191868428

https://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00061588/03997/pdf/0

As far as I can tell, there was one place to purchase watches on Kwajalein at the time. A Navy PX store, which tracks given the original owner was in the US Army Engineer Corps. Cool link I found - this was not the only sweet watch sold there!

http://lifeisreallybeautiful.com/tag/navy-exchange-on-kwajalein-atoll/

Here’s a fun read on the islands (which has quickly moved to the top of my list of places to travel to!)

https://roadsandkingdoms.com/2016/22-things-know-go-marshall-islands/

OUTSIDE PICS: Just to finish it off with some fun pics I snapped outside to see this beauty shine in the light!



PRICE: I talked with a few of the resident C Case guys here to figure out a fair price for this package and have decided to price it at the low end in order to pass this along to the right buyer who will wear it and appreciate it for the awesome life it's had! $1250 which includes everything pictured and I will cover fully insured shipping anywhere in the US as well. (And willing to offer a sweet package deal with my other c case listed, that crazy olive green spider dial.)

PAYMENT: Via PayPal Friends and Family or Venmo.

RETURNS: No returns unless misrepresented, which it definitely is not. I have a lot of great feedback here and lots of other places. I am a collector who treats others the way I want to be treated!

Thanks for sticking with me on this epic journey of a post! As you can see, I am VERY fond of this watch, and love its history with the paperwork to back it up.

Here's to finding its next steward!

 

A very kind member (who obviously has better eyes than I do) reached out to let me know a few of my connector links were reversed in the original photos. I can’t believe I didn’t notice that as clearly, given my listing, I’m more than a little OCD!

Anyways, adjusted now, here are some fresh pics of the bracelet:

 

What a nice collector set! I've always liked that color dial.

GLWS!

 

Well thank you, sir! She truly is a beauty. And a deal just fell through, so she’s still available. Let’s find her next wrist!

 

Great write up lovely watch but I honestly was expecting this watch to be linked to Elmore Leonard. A fine example indeed with or without Elmore.

 

Fair! It was close by on the bookshelf and thought the red would help show the gray dial in all its glory! Funny story though, the book was gifted to me by someone who worked with Mr. Leonard for many years. So it’s a first edition, with a very cool signature! Pic attached below.

I do believe he wore a watch regularly, not sure what but I can ask!

 

Oh that’s fantastic man

 

Watch is OHPF

 

And SOLD! Really appreciate the kind words and messages, so glad this beauty is staying in the OF family!

 

You are on fire tonight! Congrats to both buyer and seller!