Omega Constellation TV Dial Ref. 168.059

The History

Omega’s Constellation started life as the limited production Omega ‘Century’ developed for the brand’s centennial in 1948. The Century was meant to embody what Omega was all about at the time: high quality, high finishing, and automatic chronometer accuracy. After rave reviews, the brand developed the Constellation for commercial production in 1952.

Many Constellation references and variants are out there. The ‘Pie-Pan’ dials, particularly those with fancy angled lugs, are considered the most collectible but have long been difficult to find in excellent condition. When in the market for a Constellation of any kind, pay close attention to dial and case condition above all else— all of the variants were extremely high-end Omegas of their time and will wow an owner today so long as the example is original.

The Reference

In the late 60s as Omega was continuing to transform their Constellation line of watches, the company introduced a new design with a brand new feature that would have a massive impact on watch design that remains to this day. These watches featured a bracelet that was designed in conjunction with their cases and was touted by the brand as the “first watches in the world to be equipped with bracelets truly integrated with the case… a system invented in 1964 by Pierre Moinat”. Thus the era of the integrated bracelet watch came to be. We all know how popular this design has become especially since the introduction of the Royal Oak and the Nautilus and the prices many of these watches command, but these “TV” dialed integrated Constellations seemed to have slipped under the radar and represent a great value in the segment.

The Case and Bracelet

The 33mm by 39.5mm stainless steel case and bracelet are in good condition both showing their original brushed finish. It shows a number of scratches and dings but overall the watch is a correct and honest example that appears not to have been futzed with. Desmond of the Constellation Collectors Blog noted of the design that “The rounded-square dial in the stainless steel version reflected the trend away from circular dials. A brushed silver dial surface echoed the case finish and the armored hesalite crystal was flush with the case, creating the illusion of dial and case being of one piece.”

The Dial and Hands

The brushed silver TV shaped dial is in great condition with no major flaws to note. The design is simple and elegant in classic Constellation fashion featuring polished applied hour markers with small lume plots located above the markers. At 3 o’clock is a framed date window and the dial also shows the Chronometer Officially Certified markings of its calibre 1011 movement.

The Movement

This watch features an automatic Omega calibre 1011 Chronometer movement. The watch is running and the service history is unknown.

PHOTO GALLERY