For sale we have a 1961 Omega Constellation Pie-pan crosshair dial watch, Reference 14381-11SC. The case is Stainless Steel with yellow gold capping to the top, which shows no signs of wear. The case is unpolished. This reference has a beautiful lug design which is an elongated horn style. The pie-pan dial is a classic design which helps make the Constellation so coveted by collectors. The dial has applied gold hour markers with luminous plots and Dauphine style hands with lume to the centre. The dial has the classic applied Omega logo and Constellation star, whilst the back has the observatory medallion. Inside is the calibre 551 automatic movement with classic rose gold tone finishing. The watch also comes with an aftermarket Steel exhbition case back.
 
The Centrale Boîtes designed case makes this reference particularly attractive with the Stainless base and gold capping to the top. It is a 34mm x 34mm case which is neatly proportioned. The capping extends to the side of the lugs and to the sides of the bezel, but not the case sides. This provides an intriguing two-tone approach. The Omega signed crown is also gold tone and catches the eye against the Stainless side. The lugs are elongated in a horn style, which is a neat evolution of the shorter horn lugs that were commonplace in the early 1950s. This brings the watches total length lug-to-lug to 44mm which adds significant presence.
 
Gold capped examples are particularly well balanced when they have a silver dial such as this. The combination with gold applied hour markers and gold tone Dauphine hands ties in the mix of Steel and gold. This continuity and balance extends to the rear, with the steel screwback, with the gold observatory medallion to the centre.
 
The dial is original and has aged accordingly. It is a pie-pan design with crosshair to the centre. It has bubbling to the finish, with discolouration and spotted patina. The hour markers are of a beautiful facetted arrow design with original aged lume pips to the base. These catch the light well as does the three-dimensional applied Omega signing and logo, with the Constellation star. The acrylic crystal is original with omega etching to the centre.
 
The watch comes on new dark brown genuine leather strap for 18mm lugs with non-Omega buckle.
 
Inside is the automatic Omega cal 551. It has a jewel count of 24 and is marked as adjusted to five positions and temperature. It has a frequency of 19,800 BPH, with a 50-hour power reserve. The service history is unknown, but the movement is in good condition and is keeping good time. It’s keeping time to +35 seconds a day.
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The dial is original and is aged accordingly. It has imperfections and bubbling to the finish, with areas of discolouration and spotted patina. The numerals are good with little corrosion, as is the applied Omega logo and Constellation star. The markers and hands have the original lume.
 
Hands: 
The hands are of luminous Dauphine style and are original. They are in good condition.
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is original with some light surface scratches. It has the omega etching to the centre.
 
Crown: 
The gold-plated crown is period correct but non original. It is in good condition, with Omega signing.
 
Case:
The case is Stainless Steel with gold capping to the top. It is in good overall condition with no visible wear to the plate. It has light surface scratching associated with ageing. There are no signs of polishing
 
Caseback:
The screw on back is Stainless Steel and is in good condition for the age. It has light surface scratching, with a brushed surface to the centre. There are some other markers from poor opening. The observatory medallion is in good condition with clear definition.
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on dark brown genuine leather strap for 18mm lugs. 
 
Movement: 
The movement is an Omega cal 551. It has a jewel count of 24 and is marked as adjusted to five positions and temperature. It has a frequency of 19,800 BPH, with a 50-hour power reserve.
 
The service history is unknown, but the movement is in good condition and is keeping good time. It’s keeping time to +35 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 225 degrees and a beat error of 0.0m/s.
 
Case dimensions: 
Case width: 34mm
Case width with crown: 36.5mm 
Case length: 34.5mm 
Case length lug to lug: 43.5mm
Case Depth: 10mm
Lug width: 15mm