Wristwatches · Wristwatch
18ct yellow gold Omega Constellation automatic chronometer wristwatch, 1961
- Maker / attribution
- OMEGA (maker)
- Date
- 1961
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- yellow gold
- Dimensions
- Case 34 mm
- Stock no.
- O.2628
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Somlo Antiques (O.2628)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 18ct yellow gold OMEGA Constellation automatic chronometer wristwatch. Made 1961 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (stock number O.2628), this is a wristwatch by OMEGA, dated 1961. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 34 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Somlo Antiques
The OMEGA Constellation was launched in 1952, after the release of their first limited addition chronometer, for their 100th anniversary. Due to it's popularity, OMEGA unveiled the 'Constellation', featuring a medallion of the Geneva Observatory surrounded by eight stars, representing the brand’s achievements over the past 20 years. The first Omega Constellation models were manufactured with bumper automatic movements, pie-pan shaped dials, diamond shaped hour markers and Dauphine shaped hands, which were used until the 1960's. By the late 1960's, the pie-pan dial slowly gave away to more simple & flat dials, including cases in different shapes and sizes. Brand: OMEGA Made: 1961 Model: Constellation Reference: BA 14398 Calibre: 561 Movement: Automatic Material: 18ct yellow gold Features/complications: Officially Certified Chronometer (Service movement) Dial: Gold coloured dial featuring onyx hour indices and dauphine hands with black inserts and date aperture at 3 o'clock Case dimensions: 34 mm Bracelet/strap: Integrated 18ct yellow gold bracelet Accessories: N/A SKU: 02628
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Automatic (self-winding) watches
Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.
What to look for
- A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
- 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
- A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.
Dating clues
- Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
- Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
- Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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