Omega watch Chronometer Constellation Pie Pan 168.0065 Vintage 1976 Box and Papers

SPECIFICATION

Reference : 168.0065
Movement : Omega, caliber 1011
Age : Circa 1976
Case Size : 34mm
Case Thickness : 10mm
Lug to Lug : 43mm
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : used Omega watch
Box & Papers : Box and papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty

 POINTS TO MENTION

• In great used condition with some signs of wear from use
  
• Case and bezel have some light scratches and marks
• Pie pan dial
• Fully serviced movement
  
• Omega signed crown
• Replacement Crystal
• Omega box, papers and a historic service receipt  
• Paired with an unworn stainless steel mesh bracelet

A BIT OF TRIVIA

Omega first introduced the Constellation in 1952, at the time it was Omega's flagship timepiece, the first models had a Cal. 354 bumper movement in them. Later in 1955, Omega introduced the Automatic Cal. 50x, followed in 1959 by the Cal.55x (no date) and 56x (date) versions. Many of the Constellations came with pie-pan dials, diamond indexes, and fancy lug configurations, and all the gold Constellations of that time had the Observatory of Geneva's hand engraved on the back. The stainless steel and stainless steel/gold versions had a gold medallion on the back with the Observatory of Geneva, the eight stars above the Observatory stand for the many exploits of Omega in the world Chronometer competition, celebrating the fact that all Constellations are Chronometer Certified. In 1964, Omega introduced its first Constellation with the “C” case, due to the case resembling two mirrored Cs, the “C” case was a modern move away from the popular round Constellations of the 1950s.

THE LAST PIE PAN

The 168.0065 Constellations did not conform in terms of design language of Omega watches of the time and was possibly one of the earliest occurrences of Omega releasing a "tribute" to a previously produced pie pan by Gerald Genta.  

This is a beautiful example of the Omega Constellation 168.0065 “Pie Pan”, named after its originally shaped domed dial. This one is even rarer as it is part of the last pie pan series, solely made for the Japanese market. Made between 1974 and 1977, it features a “dog leg” case, a silver dial, showing “Constellation” at the top and “Omega” at the bottom, a round crown and a slim 1011 automatic movement. The only dial available is a flat dial in the traditional pie-pan style, in a silver tone with a starburst effect to the center section and concentric brushing on the outer facets.  It has stick hour markers, doubled at 12 o'clock, and a 3 o'clock date window, each with an black insert for contrast. 

Omega adorned the newly-minted Constellation line with a likeness of the Cupola of the Geneva Observatory. This observatory was one of several in Europe that put watches through a rigorous testing process with accuracy standards much more stringent than those of the Control Officiel Suisse des Chronometer, or COSC. These tests, lasting between 30 and 50 days, were broken down into eight categories of overall accuracy. Watches that passed the rigorous scrutiny were dubbed Observatory Chronometers and were awarded a special Bulletin de Marche from the Observatory that tested it. The cupola is a reminder of the watch's superior engineering.

The 168.0056 houses a Omega cal. 1011 which has Sweep seconds, date indication with quickset, a hack feature and is chronometer rated. Its an automatic movement with 23 jewels, hi beat at 28.88BPH and a power reserve of 46 hours.

OUR THOUGHTS

Every watch collector knows of the Omega 'pie pan' its rarity, its charm and its quality, the last constellation pie pan all the way from Japan, to the UK with its box and papers is about as good as it gets. With a fully serviced automatic movement this is a must have for any enthusiast.