One good thing about the festive season is that it provides an opportunity to say thankyou. And I would like to thank the many hundreds of visitors who took the time in 2009 to contact me with ideas, pictures, leads and questions or simply to give their thanks for this blog.
The intent behind this site has remained the same since its inception, and that was, and is, to help those attracted to vintage Omega watches have a pleasant experience when acquiring one or more examples of this venerable brand. The key to a pleasant experience is knowledge that will allow collectors to make astute acquisitions. Knowledge is indeed power, and the more we know about the vintages we collect the more we are able to avoid the traps and pitfalls inherent in a globalised vintage watch market.
Since 2006, I have built up this Omega Constellation resource to the point where I often think I may have exhausted the subject! But then, someone comes along with a question that is not answered and it provides the impetus to research and document yet another facet of this magnificent family of watches.
So, I depend on you for ideas and indeed input. Thankyou for coming through so many times!
In 2010 I intend to extend coverage of the brand to the neo-vintage Manhattan models and other post-crisis models including reviewing the calibres that powered them. I also propose to complete an essay on Constellation boxes of the vintage period, a longer piece on Omega Grand Luxe Constellations, an essay on the largely undocumented calibre 711 and 712 Constellations and a post on Non-Certified Constellations of the 1970s. So if you have examples, advertisements or other information to share on any of the above, please do be forthcoming.
I wish you an appropriately excessive Yuletide and may 2010 be a memorable collecting year for you - for all the right reasons!
Very much looking forward to a new batch articles! Very pleased to see that you're exploring some of the post-meltdown stuff the cal. 711/712 series - information is very scarce on these. I have a cal. 712 ST 163.001 on its way from ebay and (depending on the condition when I get it - the pictures were awfully blurry :P ) would be happy to provide pictures of it...
ReplyDeleteWould love to see an article on the electronic tuning fork Constellations as well!
Hi Spencer
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement :)
Very nice case design on the 163.001. Yes pics would be good.
Have you seen the articles on Omega electro-mechanicals on Paul's UK Electric Watch site? Its a great resource.
See http://www.electric-watches.co.uk/make/omega/index/index.php
Cheers
desmond
Hello Desmond,
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you. I already have received my Christmas present - the knowledge I have gained from this blog and from you through e-mails. I shudder to think how much money I would have wasted, and how much better prepared I am thanks to your help.
With warmest regards,
Pat
Hi Pat
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments.
Merry Christmas to you too and all the best for your holiday.
Cheers
Desmond
Dear Desmond,
ReplyDeleteonce again thanks for such a wonderful resource and your dedication to putting your collective knowledge on the 'net. My awareness of Omega (especially) Constellations has reached new heights. Like noticing the same car on the road after buying one, I'm noticing Constellation Pie Pans on aquaintance who bought their pieces new and are still wearing them daily!- such is the longevity of the movement.
Your posts on fakes and fakers are always enlightening and it is amazing the depths that people will stoop, may the pox be with them.
Have a safe and joyous Festive Season.
regards, Brad
Thanks Brad,
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you.
I'm totally with you as to where the pox should descend!
Cheers
Desmond
I am looking forward to your planned articles, as well. I would like your assessment on the collectibility of the f300s. Not that I would part with it, but my Dad left his prize gold f300 Connie to me and I would love to know if you think they are worth collecting.
ReplyDeleteHi Ken
ReplyDeleteI think f300s will increasingly become collectible particularly the 198.0004 D-Shape with the cal 1250 Mosaba. Some of the f2.4 megaquartz models too.
These days I hear that collectors of the early electronic Bulova-based tuning fork models that they are stocking up on parts movements so they have them on hand for any future problems.
One of the issues is that parts for a numbers of these movements are no longer available.
Cheers
desmond
All best wishes to you and yours this Christmas season. From sunny snowy Ottawa, Canada. Robert
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert...and to you too :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'll take sunny and snowy for Christmas over what it will be here...a heatwave with 39 C plus temps.
Cheers
Desmond
Hi Desmond
ReplyDeleteAnother year for your blog and another year of info and funnies for me :)
Thanks again and look forward to seeing more of the same this coming year
Merry Christmas (or Happy Kwanza if you are so inclined :P)
Regards
Chris
Thank you for your continued comments and articles. You really have become the primary and trusted resource for all things Omega vintage.
ReplyDeleteOne aspect that interests me is the availability and source of parts. Will we eventually be reaching a point where parts are scavenged from one Omega to keep another going. Does Omega continue to make or outsource manufacture of parts? If so how does that effect the vintage if you have a newer replacement part on an older watch. Or will resources like Ofrei be the only place till they run out (for movement parts, dials, hands, crystals, bands ....).
What is Omega's offical stance on the vintage market? Do they support and encourage it (other then the moonwatch) or are they entirely focused on the future (8500 movements).
I look forward to future articles on these subjects (?).
I think we've probably reached the point now Grey. Omega in some instances has recalled parts from its centres for some vintages and even Bienne doesnt have some parts for specific models and so will replace worn parts with the nearest (eg a Connie rotor bridge with a non Connie but still interchangeable bridge)
ReplyDeleteI keep parts movements for all calibres I collect, having purchased good quality parts movements over the years, and on one occasion an NOS cal 564.
So your scenario of robbing one Omega to keep another alive will indeed come to pass.
Thanks for your comments and good luck in your collecting.
Cheers
Desmond