During the 106”50-60s, Omega has produced some of the most beautifully designed watches with special dials. Recently, my interest with Omega has started to come back. This is an Omega Constellation with hooded lugs and pie pan dial with arrowheads markers. 冚耳, 八卦面，烏蠅字。
Calibre 504 was the first date model to appear in the 500 series Constellation range, believed to have been released just after, or concurrently with, the calibre 502 non-chronometer date model. Only 25,000 calibre 504s were produced, adding to their collectibility, and, as such, the calibre often has a special place in the collections of Constellation aficionados. The date setting is not of the quick-set variety and it is quite a laborious task to set the date if you take the watch out for irregular walks on different days of the month. Coupled with its comparative rarity, it represents good historical and investment value.
Calibre 504 featured a number of very attractive dials with arrow-head, faceted and onyx inlaid markers. The first dated version of the Grand Luxe was also powered by a calibre 504 and the gold dial with gold and onyx markers is a feast for the eyes.
Source : © Written content – Desmond Guilfoyle
Recently, I fell in love with Vintage Omega watches again. I am not a serious Vintage Omega watch collector but I do like some special Omega watches
The original style of Constellation thrived until the mid ’60s when it was redesigned by Gerald Genta. The new “C-case” or “C-type” design integrated the lugs, which no longer protruded from the ends of the case, while also giving the case a tonneau (“cushion”) profile.
The dial of the Constellation also saw some changes. Many has thought that the C shape Constellation no longer offered in the pie pan style. The new C Shape watch contour of the dials were either flat or slightly domed. The diamond or arrow head indices of the past were now replaced with applied baton indices. In many instances, the dauphine hands were also replaced for ‘stick’ hands. However, there is always exceptions in vintage watches??
Below is a 18 k white gold Omega C Shape Constellation watch with the pie pan dial and dauphine hands. This shall be my next target..
Towards the later years of production, some of the C-cases were equipped with “knurled”, almost square fluted bezels. The C Shape constellation comes in the date and day date versions, and in steel, gold filled, half gold, gold cap and in 18k solid gold.
15 December 2020 Update :
I have posted this watch up on the net, and there are collectors who has questioned the pie pan dial was not period correct fior this C shape watch. As such, I have not bought this watch. Perhaps, I should revisit this a watch again by getting a period correct watch for this? Worth exploring?
Perhaps one of the unusual Vintage Omega Constellation in 18k solid white gold, black lacquered Pie Pan dial。For the Hong Kong watch connoisseur, an Omega Constellation18K, pie pan dial, arrow head markers : 白金，八卦面，烏蠅字 is a must. Mr. Wong has strongly advised me to own this as according to him, the watch will only appear once every 10 years or more. He last sold this watch more than 10 years ago.....
This is a Rolex Oysterdate Perpetual with a Waffle Creamy Dial ref 6518 which I have just received after trading my hand wind Rolex for it. It is from the 3rd quarter 1954 and is using the Rolex 1010 caliber commonly known as the Butterfly movement. Even though the watch is from 1954, the overall condition is still very good.
Interestingly, this watch was not in my wish list. Mr Wong has called me informing me that there is a watch in very good condition. After I have seen it, I was immediately attracted by its nice overall condition and its lovely waffle or honeycomb dial which has patina and aged nicely.
I have always long for a Longines Art Deco Tonneau watch as I used to have one in silver more than 20 years ago. Not sure why I sold it away...
