Manufacturer: Omega Year: 1962 Reference No: 14393/4 SC Movement No: 18’191’845 Model Name: Constellation “De Luxe” Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 561, 24 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Delivered with an Omega Extract from the Archives confirming its date of production for the present timepiece on 26th April 1962 and its subsequent delivery to Hong Kong.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1952, the Omega Constellation was considered as one of the most precise and reliable wristwatches at the time. Since its initial release, the Constellation remains as one of the firm’s flagship models, still in production till date. Encased in an elegant 35mm diameter case with its wonderfully executed sculpted lugs lies a classy satin finished silvered dial with diamond-set indexes. While most collectors would associate early examples of the Constellation with “pie-pan” dials, a wide array of dials were made at the time. The present example belongs to the “De Luxe” collection as it features a white gold case with diamond-set indexes nicely matched with a touch of extravagance. Presented in attractive overall condition, the present lot is further delivered with an Extract from the Archives issued by Omega confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1962 and its subsequent delivery to Hong Kong.
Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.
Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.