Vintage
Aroma, a seasoned collector, candidly discusses his evolving appreciation for Omega's C-shape Constellations, a design he initially disliked. He delves into specific design elements like integrated lugs, hand styles, and the Caliber 751 movement's date function, sparking a lively debate among enthusiasts about the watch's historical significance and modern appeal.
until recently. The is something about those clumsy integrated lugs that just don’t compare to a nicely turned ‘dogleg
Or those stick hands and hour markers – they’re nothing like as nice as a set of Dauphine hands and batons.
But the big issue for me with C shapes is that most are fitted with a cal 751. Now I know the 751 is a good movement and that it is a direct descendant of the 551/61/64 calibres but it’s that huge date window in the 751 that I have issues with
I am sure some of you like date functions on dials but I prefer them without. To me they are just so intrusive and the 751 has the worst of all – a q/s date with a non-q/s day. It wasn’t until the next generation of calibres (1021/2 I believe) that Omega managed to work out a mechanism for quick-setting the day and date. For someone who wears a watch infrequently this is a major issue every time the watch is worn. With all my ‘dated’ watches, I never bother setting them when I wear them – the window is usually so small that nobody but me would notice.
Also, with the C shape, those integrated lugs and large case just seem to attract dents and scrapes and most examples you see are either battered or polished so much that the brushed surfaces have long gone
But some people must like the C shape as I have noticed over the last two years that the dealer asking prices have increased by as much as 75%. It must be that as the traditional designed Connies have become so expensive, attention has now turned to the C shape (and models beyond that as well).
So when a C shape in lovely original condition with a small date window popped up on the radar recently, I just had to go for it.
It is one of the very earliest ones – with a cal 561 (non q/s). The movement serial no is 23.9 million which suggests 1966/7 and Omega state on their database that the C shape was introduced in 1967. However, I take issue with that as I believe that the last 561s were fitted in 1966 (I’m sure somebody is going to correct me here).
This example has still got the brushed vertical and horizontal surfaces, separated by a polished bevel as it should.
And there are no signs of dents or scrapes – even the case back is clean
And the movement – well it is regulated nearly as far advanced as it will go but it keeps time to within 23 secs/day so there is a bit to spare
So I am quite a happy bunny – it has made a good addition to the Connie collection.
Cheers
Andrew
Nice addition to your collection no doubt. Best regards, George
Hi Andrew, Give her a good clean and she will run within a few seconds a day again... enjoy! erich
I like mine for the all the reasons you have given. I have a nice selection of pie pans, but I find that this 168.0017 is very versatile. Works for casual wear and I found it looks good for high tea at the Ritz I got this mint example with a 561 for a song.
. . . with a 30 mm movement is potential wrist material, from the very first Globemasters to the tonneau-shaped rarities of the '70s. Well done, Andrew. Can I ask for a wrist shot? Cordially, Art
1969 was a good year
I'm not very good at these - my arms are not long enough!! Cheers Andrew
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