SOTVΩC

What better way to introduce yourself than a State of the Vintage Omega Collection post? No appetizer, right to the meat!

We'll start with a pair of caliber 564 Constellations - on the left is a 1966 14ct 168.005, on the right is a 1968 SS 168.015:



Next is the 1969-ish SS Seamaster 168.023 caliber 751:



Since selling a Seamaster caliber 321 and the De Ville caliber 861 this is the only current surviving chronograph in my vintage box - a 1967 SS Seamaster Chronostop 145.007 caliber 865:



Here's my very first vintage Omega grail - a 1960 18ct Seamaster 14.704 caliber 591:



Another 60's Seamaster, this one a 1964 SS Seamaster De Ville 166.020 caliber 560:



This is a 1952 gold capped Seamaster 2757 caliber 355:



Moving on to another 60's piece - a 1960 SS Genève Calendar 14.703 caliber 562 on a Beads of Rice bracelet:



Now a 1950 SS 2635 caliber 351:



I don't really know what year this is from, but it's a caliber 352 chronometer:



The reason I don't know is because it's not 100% original. Yes, it's authentic Omega parts from the period but the 18ct dial, hands, and 352 bumper movement are from a very rare hooded lug case reference 14.324. As soon as I find (well, if I ever find) the correct 18ct case it will be put back together as it was meant to be. Here's a shot of it from the Omega book A Journey Through Time:



Now for the cream of the crop - a 1954 18ct Constellation De Luxe 2799 caliber 354 and a 1955 14ct Seamaster De Luxe 2755 caliber 355:



Working on another bumper presently - a killer! Will update as events warrant.

You've totally revealed yourself Dennis!

And that is a wonderful collection.

Good to see on on this forum.............I'm sure the fun and games will start 😀

Cheers

desmond

Thanks Trev. There have been a lot of changes over the last 2 years as I upgraded to less common examples. For instance, I had a gold capped Seamaster De Ville that was just like every other mid 60's model you see on eBay, so when the 166.020 caliber 560 fell into my lap I was very happy. I had recently found out from Desmond's site that 560 SMDV's were only made in limited quantity, and this case reference was the only one that came from Bienne - not made by Norman Morris in the US like all the others. Add in an uncommon dial configuration (numbers at the corners instead of the usual stick indices) and the condition and I chalked it up as a score.


It's 14ct, and I only knew they existed because of the picture in AJTT on page 279. I had never seen one either. When a fellow Omega collector called me to tell me he found a watch I should buy, I said "GOTTA GO!!!" and hung up on him to buy it. Even the book calls it "A very rare model". I've been tickled ever since it arrived. Hell, I didn't have the cash but the seller was gracious enough to take a $500 deposit and wait for me to flip a very nice 18ct Seamaster 145.006 caliber 321 and put together the rest of the funds.



That was a little painful as the 145.006 was a text book example (literally - page 545 of AJTT).

Get this - the SM pie pan came with a period correct Omega branded strap AND the box! The seller put a plated logo buckle on it too.







I consider it to be the gem of my collection.


I remember seeing a full rotor version with the step sided dial for sale about 5 or 6 years ago that had the brick bracelet. It was an insane asking price (over $20K!). Occasionally a Connie pops up with it, but who knows if the watch came in that configuration originally as I've seen the brick bracelet sell separately on eBay a couple times in the last few years.


Not totally - I have something up my sleeve. Won't know for a couple days though.


Thank you! I've got a loooong way to go to catch up with you though.


I hope so. Told a few of the VΩBT (vintage Omega brain trust) about this place. Let's see if they show up.

For a Constellation GL? If it was the step sided dial that's not terrible, but if it's the De Luxe smooth sided dial that's highway robbery! Top selling price on them (unless the buyer is misinformed) is $3500-ish in mint condition and you can still snag them under $3000 if your patient and have a good watchmaker to clean up a few faults.


I didn't say it was easy! It's a function of replacement probability - those Seamaster 321's pop up now & again but I may never have had another chance at the Seamaster pie pan with a date at 6. Eventually I'll track down an early version with the more traditional case like a reference 105.004 or a 14.364, and if I'm lucky and early 2885 with the gold spike indices will come out of it's burrow.

It's certainly in nice shape, but if that's the going rate down under I'm selling ALL my vintage Omegas there! 😲 Then I can hunt down exact replacements and still have enough left over to buy a Kia for Windy.

Dude i'd love to emigrate to Oz, but sounds like you've got to be a millionaire .🙁
I can hear Ashley and Trev saying.......not another pommie b*****d !! 👎 😁

Sounds good to me, although i do like the snow. Oz sounds wonderful, not sure about the big spiders.. and there dodgy cricket team !!.😁