Description

Rarely found in solid gold, here we have an Omega Seamaster Cosmic Day Date in 18ct yellow gold. This watch has a heavy 35.5mm 18ct mono-bloc one-piece tonneau case and carries the Omega Cal.752 automatic, quick-set day-date movement. If worn daily this movement is so efficient, you will likely never need to wind this watch, particularly as it has an outstanding power reserve of 50 hours. This would have been very expensive when new, more than the equivalent Rolex, and with a superior movement!

The Seamaster Cosmic was introduced in 1967 and was produced until around 1975.  This period, as we all know, coincided with the incredible achievements of NASA’s Apollo space program and it’s no coincidence, the name and design of this watch reflect this.

The Dial

This amazing original and unrestored solid gold dial is an example of one of the avant-garde designs introduced by Omega during the end of the 1960s. Reminiscent of the times and changes in popular culture and incredible excitement surrounding man’s first landing on the moon, it’s no coincidence wristwatches also changed to reflect this. This was a period of so many advances such as satellite communications, the first commercial use of computers in larger organisations, and supersonic flight.

The Seamaster Cosmic is perhaps one of the most retro-chic watches from this period. Applied black Onyx inlaid batons are quite bold and blocky, matched with Stick style hands, which are also inlaid with black Onyx. The dial carries light vertical grain which lends it an almost pastel lemon colour in certain lights. This moves to a much warmer golden colour under indoor lighting, as we have tried to demonstrate in the photographs. The outer silver minutes register angles away from a further seconds register which is subdivided into fifths of a second, providing a slightly more technical look.

Due to the case being made in one piece, the lens is a compression fit and has no bezel. This enables the dial to extend almost to the far edges of the case and provides the impression the watch is far larger than it measures.

The Cosmic Day-Date is a rare watch, especially so in 18ct gold. This example carries a German date wheel and so it reads as follows: Son, Mon, Die, Mit, Don, Fre,  Sam. As this is a quickset movement, the day is set by advancing the hands and the date by pulling the crown to it’s furthest extent.

The dial carries the applied gold OMEGA brand and Signature, with ‘Automatic’ with  Seamaster Cosmic below and ‘Swiss Made’ at ‘6’.

This is the original unrestored dial which is completely untouched. It has aged very little, with only some of the very faintest spots which are only visible under high magnification.

The lens is original and carries the tiny Omega symbol in the very centre, which can just be seen in one or two of the photographs if you have a large enough screen.

The Case

The heavy 18ct solid gold monobloc tonneau shape case measures 35.5mm excluding the original signed Omega crown. The watch wears slightly larger than this on the wrist, due to the size of the dial. The case is of a single-piece design for extra rigidity and resistance to water and dust and is a very advanced design. Having no case back or bezel, the movement and dial are fitted from the front, behind the lens which is a watertight compression fit.

The case has been cleaned, carefully inspected and very gently hand-polished to remove any tarnish, as this was all that was required to bring it back to its current tip-top condition. There are no scratches, dings or marks of any kind visible to the naked eye.

Inside the case, all is as expected with the correct branding and correctly signed: ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Swiss Made’, along with Swiss 18ct hallmarks and the Omega model reference number 166.036.

*Although originally specified as waterproof, this has not been tested and is not guaranteed.

As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Movement

Omega movement design and manufacture were really at their peak during the 1960s helping to make Omega the most successful and highly regarded brand among the general buying public.

This is the very high grade, Omega Calibre 752 automatic, copper-plated beryllium-bronze, 24 jewel movement is in superb condition. The Calibre 752 is known as the 24 jewels, day, quickset day date, movement and was incredibly advanced in its day.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced, meaning complete disassembly of the watch movement to all its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration. This watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +7 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is no exaggeration, we have checked and confirmed these test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. Please bear in mind, this level of performance is outstanding for any watch, particularly of this age. The movement also has an excellent 50-hour power reserve when fully wound.The movement is signed Omega Watch Co Swiss, Twenty Four Jewels, and Cal.752 Adjusted 5 Positions with the Serial No. 26984905, which dates the manufacture of this watch to 1968. These movements are highly respected for being robust, exceedingly accurate and highly reliable, making this watch perfect for everyday use or evening wear only – as you wish. The automatic winding mechanism is very efficient and if worn regularly each day, this watch will never need winding and seldom need resetting. The movement winds, runs and sets smoothly and is working perfectly, just as it should.

The Strap & Buckle

The watch has been fitted with a new Black Calf Leather Strap and Gold-Plated Omega Buckle strap and gold plated Omega buckle which we think matches the watch perfectly.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1968.

The matching vintage Omega presentation box as shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

In Conclusion

This is a superb example of the rare Omega Seamaster Cosmic Day-Date automatic with the Cal.752 movement which is of a very high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Indeed, when new this watch would have cost more than the equivalent Rolex of its day. Omega Seamaster watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong. This watch will also make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though vintage Omega prices have risen markedly recently, we feel fine examples such as this still remain undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches expands, availability will become more limited, so prices are surely destined to climb ever higher!