Here we have a lovely example of a 1952 Omega Constellation reference 2652-7 SC. It has the 35mm gold capped stainless steel case with the elongated horn lug design. The dial has aged from the original silver to a rich gold tone. It has the dished profile with the crosshair to the centre. The applied hour markers are eyecatching, with Arabic quarters. It has the applied Omega logo with the applied Constellation star. It has the luminous Dauphine style hands with central second hand. To the right is the original gold tone clover style crown. The case back screws in place and has the defined Constellation medallion to the centre. Inside it has the full Omega signing with the reference. The movement is an early bumper automatic calibre 354 which is keeping accurate time to within 7 seconds per day. 
 
Model background:
The Omega Constellation model was released in 1952, five years before the introduction of the Speedmaster and four years after the Seamaster. The Seamaster was based on military prowess and was designed as a jack of all trades for “town, country and sea”. The Speedmaster offered function and robust design, but the Constellation offered a combination of beauty and precision which made it the premium Omega watch. 
 
The model got its name from the emblem on the caseback. The eight stars on the Constellation medallion represent eight precision records that Omega set at Kew-Teddington and the Geneva Observatory during the mid-20th century. 
 
This example:
The example we have here is a second generation Constellation from 1952, which is distinguished from the first generation by its screw-down case back. 
 
The reference 2652 has an exceptional dial design. It has the dished profile with the raised central section and the edge of the dial falling away. The outside of the dial features the complex and multifaceted hour markers. These are neatly balanced with the applied Arabic numerals on the quarters at 12, 3, 6 & 9 which the crosshair passes through. The edge of the central dish forms the boundary for the minute/seconds track with the dash markers. The dial has the applied Omega logo below 12, with the ‘Omega Automatic Chronometer Officially Certified’ text. Above 6 o’clock is the applied constellation star with the italic ‘Constellation’ text above. Either side of 6 o’clock is the ‘Swiss made’ to the base. 
The dial has also developed the most unique tropicalised ageing. The original silver tone has become a rich gold with some lighter spotting. 
The hands are original and are of luminous Dauphine style, with the aged luminous in-fill to the centre. The thin tapered central second is neat and elegant. 
 
The case is well proportioned for a vintage watch measuring 35mm x 35mm. With the crown it has 37.5mm total width. The lug-to-lug measurement takes the total length to 42mm which further increases the presence. 
The case is formed of stainless steel and has the gold capped finish to the top. Gold capping is superior to gold filled or gold plating due to the thicker application and the fact that the base is stainless steel and not base metal. As such the gold capping remains in strong condition, with no wear through to the stainless. 
The bezel has the lightly brushed finish to the flat surround with the bevel to the middle and polished design falling to the edge of the bezel. The lugs appear adorned to the case with the elongated horn design. These are an elegant, tapered design with the taper inwards and flowing downturn towards the wrist. To the right hand side is the Omega crown with the clover design.
The sides of the case are Stainless Steel with the barrel shape curvature, with a notch below that rounds off the front section, creating symmetry. The case back screws into place and has the six notches. To the centre is the Constellation medallion which is well defined. The inside of the case back has the perlage finishing with the Omega signing and the reference number 2652-7 SC. 
 
The movement is the Omega calibre 354 which is a bumper automatic. It was released in 1952 and featured in the first and second series models. The bumper automatic rotor doesn’t rotate bi-directionally in a full circle. Instead, it strikes the bumper springs at either end of its 330 degree arc, bouncing back and forth. You can actually feel this bump on the wrist, which is a unique quirk of these calibres. 
The movement has a jewel count of 17 and is originally chronometer grade, adjusted to five positions and temperature.
The movement has not been serviced by ourselves as it is in good overall condition. It has a daily variation of below 7 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 and 0.0 m/s beat error. 
 
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial:
The dial is original. It was originally silver but has aged naturally to a deep gold tone. It has areas of lighter speckles. All the signing is good and clear. The numerals are a good gold tone.
 
Hands:
The hands are original and are of Luminous Dauphine style. They are in good vintage condition with the aged luminous in-fill to the centre.
 
Glass:
The crystal is a replacement which is in perfect condition. It is not Omega and does not have the signing to the centre.
 
Crown:
The crown is Omega and is of clover style. It has some scratching associated with ageing. The plating is good. 
 
Case:
The case is stainless steel with the yellow gold capped top. The capped top is good with no wear to the capping. The case is unpolished and has light marking associated with age.
 
Case back:
The case back is in good condition with no marking from poor opening. The Constellation medallion is in very good condition and is clearly defined.
 
Strap:
The watch comes on a vintage style genuine leather strap which is in unworn condition. It is non Omega.
 
Movement:
The movement is the Omega calibre 354 which is a bumper automatic. It has not been serviced by ourselves as it is in good overall condition. It has a daily variation of below 7 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 260 and 0.0 m/s beat error. 
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 35mm
Case width with crown: 37.5mm
Case length: 34.8mm
Case length lug to lug: 42mm
Case Depth: 11mm
Lug width: 18mm