Omega

I have shown this simple 1967 steel Omega Constellation with pie pan dial before (the reference is 167.005), but I thought you might enjoy seeing the full packaging that came with it. Packaging, in addition to contemporary advertisements, adds to the historical context and enjoyment of the watch.

I love these ‘no-date’ (Cal. 551) Connie’s for their clean lines and beautiful dial that you could spend a lifetime looking at.

Outer cardboard box …

Inner plastic box …

Simple but attractive satin lining …

Price in USD displayed on the box …

And attached to the strap …

Based on CPI inflation, USD175 in 1971 is equivalent to USD1,010 in 2013. The Connie has maintained its purchase price quite well over the last 40 years.

International 12 month guarantee in eight languages with a list of authorised Omega jewellers…

The watch was sold in 1971 and must have sat in a small jeweller’s safe for some years. Interestingly the jeweller is still at the same address in 2013

Lined envelope with serial number containing the Certificate of High Precision.

“Officially certified chronometer with especially good results”.

A booklet about the Omega Constellation Chronometer:

… interestingly pointing out the confusion (that still occurs) between a chronograph (“the stop-watch with push-buttons”) and the chronometer!

Padding …

“The Omega Constellation chronometer distinguishes the man who wears it as someone who knows how to choose.”

Andrew

I love a history lesson. 

... a dial to die for my friend ...

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Thanks for giving us all the details.

The guarantee booklets usually have numbers perforated on the front page indicating the country of sale.  I could not see this one.  Just curious.

Thanks

Bill

Did Omega do that as well? The watch was sold in the US.

But not all have the country codes.  So blank booklets are good also.

Bill

Thank you, dear Andrew: you've made me do a true time-travel!

Staring at your pictures I've imaginated the pleasure and the pride that the first owner must have felt, opening for the first time those refined package&papers.

Ciao,

Elio

The watch was purchased on January 11, 1971 and I always imagined the first owner negotiating a good price for the watch that the jeweller had in his inventory for some time. How much discount would you expect from the $125 list price?

Andrew

Well, Andrew, we could play a lot with our fantasy: the first owner could have won a New Year's Lottery; he could simply celebrate his birthday, a personal achievement or another anniversary; he could fall in love with that watch after suffering a love-failure, etc. etc. etc.

It could also be interesting to know how that beautiful Constellation was placed in the market at that time.

Ciao,

Elio

. . . when considering how rare it is to find a vintage Omega with all the accoutrements.  I can't remember right off the top of my head, but it seems either a Flightmaster or a Speedmaster 125 was found  in a Spanish jewelry store a few years ago, never having left the safe!  It was truly a 'new' watch for the first registered owner, some four decades after being produced.  

omega.watchprosite.com

. . . regaling the Omega forum with an amazing discovery of a Speedmaster 125.

(I saw a NOS 910 Flightmaster a few years ago, which accounts for my confused memory.)

... and amazing find. Thanks for reminding us that you can sometimes be lucky.

Andrew

all what comes with...!

I am impressed, my friend. Really impressed.

Bravo!

Nicolas

... to keep all the papers and paraphernalia from our modern watches. Wouldn't it be great for watch lovers in 50 years time to be excited about finding one of our well looked after and complete watches? They too might wonder about the history of the watch and who cared for it.

Andrew

Having such a complete set is so cool.  I have a very similar Constellation I bought around 2001 which came with nothing else.  Strangely, although it looks the same the reference number is completely different from yours: 14900-SC-16 (which I got from the seller - I haven't opened the case).

... simply the predecessor of my 167.005 case. The transition happened around 1962 - 63. It should still have the same cal. 551 automatic. The serial number, if you can get the case open, will tell you which year your watch is from.

They make excellent daily wearers even today and wear larger than the 34mm diameter suggests.

Enjoy.

Andrew

i think we would be very lucky to get one for $1k now especially with all the box and papers. its very good to think that there are only 5 miles between us yet we have the same taste in quality Omegas. my piepan says hello.

when i saw the watch and the name Andrew, i immediately tnought of my nearly neighbour Aroma who has an identical model so i replied without paying too much attention to the user id.
all comments remain the same except that you dont live 5 miles away, more like 10000 miles
very similar tastes is vintage Omegas though.

best
Graham

No problem my friend. I was slow to reply to you because I was looking for this photo to remind you ... It was fun to get these two together in Paris. Warm regards from 10000 miles away. Andrew (the other)

great reminders Andrew thanks

best
Graham

Well, the Connie is a fantastic watch, simply on it's own merits. But to have all the documentation, even down to the receipt and price tag, and all of the orignal boxes, is as good as it gets. While I love my three vintage watches, I am still scrambling around to find more info on a couple of them.

Thanks for sharing all of those wonderful details with us.

Cheers,

Carl

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Fantastic full set, my friend!

What all watch collectors dram to find...

 

Best

Blomman

Best Thomas

"Based on CPI inflation, USD175 in 1971 is equivalent to USD1,010 in 2013. The Connie has maintained its purchase price quite well over the last 40 years. "

Based on the relative exchange rate change between the Swiss Franc and the US Dollar, that figure should be closer to $5,000.  $1 bought 4.1 francs in 1971, now $1 buys 90 centimes, if you're lucky.

It's quite rare to find a watch with both boxes, band, buckle and all paperwork. 

Very nice find!

gatorcpa

... too simplistic. Thanks for the extra detail. Very interesting to see how the relative costs have changed.

Pleased you liked the set.

Regards,

Andrew

... getting rare and harder to find such nice and complete packaging. yours are exceptional one!

agree with you that cal 551 without date is also my favorite as i also have one with the same movement.furthermore, this ref has the sexy dog leg lugs which added special value on it.

stefan

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