Your Watch Logbook

SPECIFICATION

Reference: Omega Deville Prestige 196.1150
Movement: Cal 1532
Age: circa 1999
Case Size: 34.7mm
Case Thickness: 11mm
Lug to Lug: 40mm
Lugs: 19mm
Condition: used Omega watch
Box & Papers: No
Case Material: stainless steel
Warranty: 12-Months Warranty

 POINTS OF MENTION

• In exceptional pre-owned condition, with light wear
• Case and bezel have some very light scratches and marks
  
• Silver sunburst dial
• Fully serviced quartz movement
  
• Sapphire crystal
• Signed Omega crown
  
• Paired with its original signed stainless steel bracelet that fits up to 7 3/4 inch wrist 

The De-Ville idea was introduced in 1960 but not as an independent line, It took until 1963 that the De-Ville signature for the first time appears on an Omega dial. And finally in 1967 the De-Ville becomes its own collection, its own page in the Omega catalogue and is still going strong today.

The De Ville collection, OMEGA's prestigious range of luxurious, Swiss‑made dress watches, is a symbol of contemporary refinement. Celebrated for its sleek design and masterful craftsmanship, the De Ville line presents a diverse ensemble of Swiss watch models, catering to every discerning taste

THE 196.1150

The Omega 196.1150 is a slim, classically styled De Ville Prestige quartz dress watch produced from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s. The stainless-steel, silver-dial version is commonly associated with the retail reference 4510.31.00, although the 196.1150 case reference was used for several different dial, case and bracelet configurations.

Its stainless-steel case measures approximately 34.5mm across, excluding the crown, with a lug-to-lug length of around 39mm and a thickness of only 6mm. This gives the watch an elegant, understated profile that sits particularly neatly beneath a cuff. It is fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a solid press-fit case back and generally takes a 19mm strap.

Inside is the Swiss-made Omega calibre 1532 quartz movement, based on the ETA 255.111. This six-jewel movement provides hours, minutes, central seconds and a quickset date display. It also incorporates an end-of-battery-life indicator: when the battery is nearing exhaustion, the seconds hand begins advancing in four-second intervals while the watch continues to keep time.

The calibre 1532 is an exceptionally slim movement, measuring only 1.95mm thick. It is rhodium-plated, decorated with circular graining and finished with Omega branding. It uses a Renata 373 or equivalent SR916SW battery, with an expected life of approximately two years.

The reference was offered in several forms, including entirely stainless-steel examples and versions featuring an 18-carat yellow-gold bezel. Dials can be found in silver, white, champagne and black, with differing baton or Roman-numeral arrangements. Watches were originally supplied on either leather straps or factory steel and two-tone bracelets, depending on the particular retail reference.

From a collector’s perspective, the 196.1150 is an appealing neo-vintage Omega rather than a vintage model in the traditional 1950s–70s sense. Its strengths are its elegant proportions, sapphire crystal, dependable Swiss quartz movement and timeless De Ville styling. 

A BIT OF TRIVIA

Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, Omega started out as La Generale Watch Co., an unassuming, but international business. It wasn't until 1885, when the company had been taken over by Louis' sons, that the first mass-produced calibre, the Labrador, was released. By 1903, the company had renamed itself Omega and only two years later were they the official timekeepers at many sporting events across Switzerland. Omega stepped onto an international stage in 1932 as the official timekeepers at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first of over 20 Olympic Games. Omega were one of the 12 companies, now known as the Dirty Dozen, commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during the Second World War. One of Omega's most iconic watches, the Seamaster, was introduced in 1948 to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Over 70 years later, it is still one of Omega's bestselling watches. Omega made headlines in 1962 when Wally Schirra wore the Speedmaster as part of NASA's first crewed spaceflight programme, making the Speedmaster the first watch to enter space. It was only a few years before the Speedmaster became the official chronograph for the American space missions and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as well as the Apollo 13 crew. Omega are still involved with NASA and have been instrumental in creating vital pieces of equipment for space exploration. Omega's reputation continued to soar in the 1990s with Omega Seamaster worn by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. As well as post-1995 James Bonds, Omega has been worn by the likes of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Prince William, Rory McIlroy, Ringo Starr, Michael Phelps, Cindy Crawford and George Clooney.

OUR THOUGHTS

The Omega Deville at 34.5mm is a beautiful looking modern watch, From a collector’s perspective, the 196.1150 is an appealing neo-vintage Omega rather than a vintage model in the traditional 1950s–70s sense. Its strengths are its elegant proportions, sapphire crystal, dependable Swiss quartz movement and timeless De Ville styling. A watch you can put on daily with pride knowing it will preform effortlessly.