Omega Constellation Caliber 700 - 712 Ultra-Thin Dress Watches of the 60s and 70s


Strangely, nothing of substance appears to have been written about the Omega Constellation dress watch collections of the nineteen sixties and seventies.  Omega, a Journey Through Time pays scant attention to what was at the time, in terms of model variety, one of the largest single collections of the Omega stable; Kreutzer hardly mentions them at all in Omega Designs; Hampfel affords only a paragraph to the calibre series in Automatic Wristwatches of Switzerland, and the Omega Vintage Database grossly under-represents the collection in its listings.

It’s always appeared to me as curious why this expensive and extensive collection of men’s dress and jewellery watches has received so little attention. Perhaps it is because ultra-thin watches are so different to the gargantuan wrist hardware of the last decade, or maybe some well established, but never-the-less untrue, scuttlebutt has caused them to be overlooked?
 
This essay seeks to shine a little light on the Omega Constellation contribution to ‘Montre Bijoux’ in the sixties and seventies..  It is a living document and I welcome picture contributions of models not featured.

19 comments:

  1. Spencer11:40 am

    Have been eagerly awaiting this ever since you mentioned a while ago you were working on a 711/ 712 article :) Fascinating read. Have always been floored by just how many different 71x models Omega made, and am always interested to see the odd white gold models and such that pop up occasionally. Makes me appreciate my 712 Connie and 711 DeVille more as well!

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  2. Hi Spencer

    Thanks for the post.

    Yes, and more models seem to crop up by the week, it's amazing.

    I think this essay will be quite organic, growing in size as more discoveries are made :)

    Regards

    Desmond

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  3. Steve Roman1:15 am

    Nice work Desmond, you've answered many of the questions about these great watches. Selfishly though, I now fear it will be more difficult to snatch up these beauties with others aware. It was bad enough competing with Spencer!

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  4. LOL. What's a little competition?

    Hi Steve, now I get Spencer's reference about the "odd white gold models" :)

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  5. Hello, i have a omega constellation vintage, bought on 1986 from Paris, France. 6552/864 on the bracelet, 5584 3094 carved back of the watch.

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  6. INteresting, love to see some pics of the inner case back and watch in general. Is it cal 711 or 712?

    Cheers

    Desmond

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  7. I have been looking for this info for ages. I am researching on an omega constellation that I've "inherited". Apparently from the 70s, ultra thin with TV shaped face. Meshed and integrated bracelet. Plain back with no marking, but some symbols on the clasp with the number 753.xxx

    I think it's white gold, but don't know if this is the one Spenser is referring to. I would appreciate if anyone knows further info about this watch. Contact me saxman772@yahoo.co.uk if you want a photo of it. Thanks KHAI

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  8. Anonymous12:22 am

    hi there. i was giving one of these watches by my father. was wondering what it would be worth. any help would be appreciated. all i know is its solid 14k. and the band is also. id be glad to send some pics. anthonygiglio81@yahoo.com

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  9. Hi, Feel free to take some pics and then click on the rh column under 'about me' You'll see an email tab.

    Regards

    Desmond

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  10. Hi there Desmond. I too inherited an old ultra-thin constellation. I have not been able to find extra information about the watch and I cannot extract its archives either from Omega as the service is not available in the USA. Anyways was wondering if you can help me further with the watch details. Does the watch have special value for being "vintage" or it is only worth its weight in gold?. Here is the the information I have found myself:
    Year: Aprox 60 - 70s,
    Material: 18k White Gold. (Integrated bracelet)
    Face: Square.
    Cal: 700
    Movement # : 25905565
    Case # : 8115
    Reference # : 883999

    I have also taken pictures of the watch and have e-mailed to you.
    Your help is appreciated
    Thanks and regards
    Jose

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  11. Yes Jose, model 8115 is one that I dont have a pic of so I look forward to receiving your pics.

    Calibre 700 was a limited edition movement and so I'll be able to add further details when I see the pics

    Thanks for posting.

    Cheers

    Desmond

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  12. i have a omega constellation in strap which is shown above need to know the value of this 60's or 70's era watch

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    Replies
    1. Best option to ascertain global internet value is to do a completed listings search on eBay and see what your type of piece has realised. Could take some time but is worth it.

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  13. Hi Desmond, I've been eyeing up an ultra thin 18K manual wind on the NZ "Trademe" site. I'm pretty confused as to the case model # but maybe also uneasy about the movement S/n stamps...they almost look tampered with. Could I get your comments please? Link is https://www.trademe.co.nz/a.asp?id=1413519969&cc=21&pid=518067668&hbc=&member_hash=&ct=title-link&tm=email&et=21&mt=6F2B5579-E0C3-4091-8C89-37E4F9988857

    Thanks
    Gerrit

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    Replies
    1. Hi Gerrit,

      Movement looks okay to me. These are a limited edition movement with gold balance and the stamping would have been manual. E.G. have a look at this one for comparison.

      http://cdn.chrono24.com/images/uhren/images_48/s4/2345448b_xxl.jpg?v=1

      Dial is somewhat degraded. Perhaps you could approach an official service agent to see if a replacement dial is available. Existing dial is solid gold too.

      Cheers

      Desmond

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  14. Thanks Desmond, I guess the influence of reading some of the "tips" on avoiding fake Omegas & with the misaligned case numbers & not being able to find the model number to match cal 700 movement I was getting confused/wary. And I couldn't find this model anywhere on the Web currently. The movement you've linked looks pretty tidy:-)
    Thanks
    Gerrit

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome. The model number of thisexample is known in Omega records as a 111.0104, as opposed to 111.a04 shown on the caseback.

      Regards

      Desmond

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  15. Hi There.
    Really Like your site and have read with intrigue the ins and outs of the fascinating story of these watches.
    I have recently inherited one, and I am making my investigations into EXACTLY what it is, I was surprised that the Sydney OMEGA store the watch was purchased from (albeit 42 years later) was unable to identify it, other than take the back off identify the calibre number which was the fascinating 712 - in the OMEGA book, it referenced Year of Creation as 1967, and the factory as Marc Favre, they were also able to identify it as being made with 18k Gold, The nice lady there was initially claiming it was 25 karat Gold, when I pointed out, that you would probably need an exploding star to create such material, and I'm pretty sure that even though the effort and patience making the movement was immense,they didnt go that far with the rest of the watch, but she seemed to know her stuff, so possibly she was testing Me.
    Interesting also that NONE of the staff were Australians, most/all were apparently enthusiasticly fresh off the plane Han Chinese with thick Accents. Not that I mind, but I had been hoping maybe to encounter someone with a Swiss accent.
    But I guess those Marble walls and big leather couches don't pay for themselves, and if you cant replace everyone with cheap foreign workers, then what is the point of being a Global company anyway.

    https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cT_TEnrnfJk/Xdv4IrFGvOI/AAAAAAAAAd4/J-Rdn9c_eYQDuFoCeCHhbzD_Eub6vD4mACEwYBhgL/s640/OMEGAConstCal712_back.JPG

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    Replies
    1. A lovely example of these Sixties dress watches. There is an emerging interest ion them once again.....thankfully.

      Yes, Ive noticed the cultural make-up of a few of these exclusive watch stores. Perhaps they are there to cater for Chinese tourists.

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