One of my boxes to be ticked when assessing a Constellation is the observatory medallion, for which I have an irrational fondness when in gold.

I know, I know - the dial, the sharpness of the case, the movement and the originality are more critical. But sometimes there is a watch that looks great from the front, then you turn it over and some numb nut has decided to make the gold observatory all shiny. Pestilence be upon them.

And because there are more than a few advertisers of vintage Constellations who seem to equate shiny medallions with 'lovely original condition', or even worse 'NOS', I thought I would offer a few examples of what their condition should look like to our new collectors.

Just for reference I am showing the dial as well as the back.


This is a gold capped Cal 551 from 1959, case number 14381 8 SC.

The next two examples are from Cal 712 Ultra slim Constellations. The 712 series is in my opinion not appreciated enough, but for interested collectors that also means that good condition examples are more easily found than their 500 series big brothers.

This one is a gold capped Cal 712 from 1966, case number SF167.0127.


And finally, an 18K gold Cal 712 from 1968, case back 157.0001.

I must confess that I am not showing you my other Constellations where the observatories are less sharp, because there is not much point. They are sharp enough to satisfy me as part of each overall watch, but not like these. Sometimes we just have to compromise a little......

I would love to see other examples from Forum members.

 

On the cal 712 is “ OM Swiss Made OM “, Ive never seen that before, what’s that about?

 

It means the dial is solid gold also

its french for or massif

 

+1!
So -168005/6, prob 1963/4:

 

Ah, thanks. As Steve Martin said “Those French, they need to have their own word for everything”.

 

You may like some of these: https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-embossed-casebacks-lets-see-your-backsides.103808

 

I love it when the medallions are so sharp their edges can scrape and retain copious amounts of wrist grime.

 

2652-

 

Yup - that's what I love: not a hint of polishing.

 

14903


168.006

 

168.018 cal. 564

 

Here's mine

 

This ones mine - with additional Irish Hallmarks for 1962

From left to right

Lady with Harp (Hibernia symbol for Ireland)
U - date letter for 1962
18 and 750 for 18K gold

EofA backs this up - confirms sent to Ireland, and produced Jan 1962

 

My 1956 example

It appears to have been, very rarely worn…

 

Constellation De Luxe 14393/4

 

For some reason these watches really speak to me. I love the idea of a gold Omega on my wrist. I have looked at some, but, I know so little about them that I am afraid to pull the trigger on one until I know more. So classic, looks like a watch my grandfather would have had on his wrist either at the office or lounging around the house on a Sunday while having his bourbon before dinner.