zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: I just had my Constellation serviced. It was quite expensive, IMO -
: they wanted around USD900 for the job which did involve getting
: parts from Omega (that alone took a couple of months). The watch
: looks fine - I hope it keeps time as well as it used to.
: I tried to get into Omega's Vintage Watch web pages, but failed. It
: seems they are working on the site, and some parts are
: unavailable. Maybe you can help? I bought the watch in 1969 (the
: price (without strap) was approx. USD125 at the time!). Can you
: tell me the production year, and any other particulars for this
: watch?
: The caliber is 564, the Ref.# is CD 168 017 SP, and the serial# is
: 264 05 737.

: --
: Aage J.
++

This is the Omega Vintage Database entry.

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Constellation - "C"
Gents' leather strap
Reference
BA 168.009 =168.017

International collection
1966

Movement
Type: Automatic chronometer certified
Caliber number: 561 / 564
Cal. 561
Created in 1958, 24 jewels
Cal. 564
Created in 1965, 24 jewels

Functions
Date, Chronometer

Case
18K solid yellow gold

Case back
Screw-in
Full metal
Dial
Solid gold dial with gold hour markers and gold hands.

Crystal
Armoured hesalite

Bracelet
Leather

Water resistance
30 meters

This watch may have existed with different dials.
More product information
Case : "C" shape (35 mm diameter), 18K solid yellow gold
For leather straps of 19 mm lug-size
International Collection : 1967-1972
Swiss retail price (1971) : CHF 1'550.-
Also available on 18K solid gold bracelet under ref. BA 368.4044 (CHF 3'240.- in 1967).
Also available in 18K solid pink gold (BB 168.009, CHF 1'550.-) or in 18K solid white gold (BC 168.009).
JLM

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The serial number indicates an age of approximately (+/- 3 years) of 1968.

The CD and SP in the case reference is a metal code and manufacturer indicator. SP indicates "strap". I will assume you have a stainless steel watch.

There is an alternative OVD listing . . .

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Constellation - "C"
Gents' leather strap
Reference
ST 168.009 =168.017

International collection
1967

Movement
Type: Automatic chronometer certified
Caliber number: 561
Created in 1958
24 jewels
Central sweep-second hand

Functions
Date, Chronometer

Case
Stainless steel

Case back
Screw-in
Full metal
Dial
With gold hour markers and gold hands

Crystal
Armoured hesalite

Bracelet
Leather

Water resistance
30 meters

This watch may have existed with different dials.
More product information
Case : round (35 mm diameter)
For leather straps of 19 mm lug-size
International Collection : 1967-1972
Swiss retail price (1971) : CHF 480.-

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At the 1971 exchange rates, CHF 480 = US$117.

At current exchange rates, it is more like US$510 (the dollar has lost a lot of value);
adjusted for inflation, about $2,500.

Further, add a luxury premium of say 40% (Swiss watches were a premium brand of a necessity, now they are clearly an expensive luxury) and
you get a price of about $3,500 in today's dollars.

Pretty comparable to an AquaTerra before the latest upmarket moves by Omega . . . .