Omega Constellation ref 1202.30.00 Manhattan c1995

Omega

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over the years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster to space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Omega Constellation has remained Omega’s flagship Chronometer grade automatic dress watch since 1952. It was a development of the highly successful Omega Centenary Chronometer Automatics, 2499 and 2500, launched just a few years previously to coincide with the celebration of Omega’s first 100 years of high-end watch manufacture.

Description

The Constellation line has been a part of Omega’s collection since 1952, with the Manhattan design representing a significant update to the series in the 1980s. The ref 1202.30.00 from the mid-1990s showcases the evolution of this iconic design, blending traditional Constellation elements with modern aesthetics and technology.

In 1982, Omega introduced two new watch series: Constellation and Seamaster. The ‘Manhattan’ nickname applies to Constellation models introduced from 1982 onwards, characterized by the distinctive ‘claws’ on the bezel.

The ‘Manhattan’ Constellation had an integrated bracelet, available in stainless steel or gold/steel. The remarkable solid gold bezel and sapphire lens were held in by four little ‘claws’. In 1985, Omega introduced the mechanical automatic version of the Constellation Manhatten, the calibre 1111. This movement was based on the ETA calibre 2892-2 and was, of course, Chronometer certified.

The example here is superb with an original, unrestored and untouched honey dial. This dial is housed in a highly sought-after stainless steel and solid yellow gold watch case, which carries an exhibition case back, revealing the newly serviced, chronometer-rated calibre 1111 automatic movement. This good-sized 35mm diameter watch case is in superb all-round condition.

The Dial

The superb, original, unrestored, and untouched honey dial catches the light beautifully. It is complete with gilt ‘stud’ hour indices and is matched with the unrestored mixed gitl and black ‘stick’ hands, all of which look wonderful against the beautiful stainless steel and yellow gold case. This dial is completed with an outer minute rail track and a date window at 3. Each of these features adds class, style, and elegance.

The dial is signed with the Omega brand and ‘Omega’ at the very top of the dial below 12, along with ‘Constellation Chronometer Automatic’ at the bottom of the dial just above 6, with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6.

As this dial is in its original, unrestored condition, it has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

Movement

This wonderful watch carries the Calibre 1111, 21 jewels, chronometer rated, automatic movement which, as mentioned above, was based around the ETA 2892-2. This movement was produced for the Omega Manhatten model in 1985. This Omega movement runs at 28,800 beats per hour which is much faster than typical high quality Swiss movements, which run at 18,000 beats per hour – hence it is known as a ‘fast-beat’ movement. All other things being equal, the faster a watch movement beats and the balance wheel operates, the more accurate its timekeeping since the movement effectively divides time into smaller increments.

As can be seen, the fully restored beryllium bronze movement is in amazingly clean condition having been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly, adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +8 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This has been checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher and this level of performance is outstanding for any watch, particularly of this age. The movement also has an excellent 44-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The Omega Cal.1111 movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch ideal for regular daily use.

The movement is signed ‘Omega’, ‘Swiss’, ‘Adjusted Five Pos. and Temp.’, ‘Chronometer’ along with the Calibre No.1111, ‘Twenty One 21 Jewels’, and the Serial number 47531666 which dates this watch to 1985.

The Watch Case

The mixed stainless steel and solid yellow gold watch case measures 35mm in diameter, excluding the Omega signed crown. As mentioned above, this Omega Constellation is of the Manhatten design, characterised by the solid yellow gold bezel with 1- 12 Roman numerals, along with the 4 ‘claws’ at both 3 and 9, which secures in the bezel and sapphire lens. Not only does this case look incredible from the front, but on the reverse, this Omega also carries a stunning exhibition case back that reveals the fully serviced high-grade movement.

The case has been cleaned, carefully inspected, and very lightly hand-polished, as this was all that was required to restore it to its current tip-top condition, with no scratches, dings, or marks visible to the naked eye.

The case back, bezel and case body are all in beautiful condition, with no scratches, dings, or other damage visible to the naked eye. The watch has been only lightly used and very carefully looked after, which means that after careful inspection, the case simply required a professional, clean and gentle hand polish to bring back the almost new look of the watch.

The Bracelet

The correct and original, Omega signed integrated stainless steel and yellow gold bracelet is very close to perfect condition. The bracelet has simply been cleaned and lightly polished to bring it back to the condition you see here. Setting the catch, the bracelet will fit a 21cm wrist, however, if you wish for the bracelet to be shortened, this would be possible by removing the links.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures, and hallmarks are all correct, and the date of manufacture is 1985.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes with an original Omega Constellation presentation box.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a wonderful Omega Constellation Manhatten wristwatch, which is in wonderful condition and comes with the peace of mind that comes with a mixed stainless steel and yellow gold cased vintage watch which is, of course, more than sturdy enough for everyday use.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage steel watches.

Thank you.