OMEGA De Ville 18K Gold 4631.31.31

This is an 18K yellow gold Omega De Ville Automatic Co-Axial Chronometer, Reference Number 4631.31.31. It has an alligator leather strap with an 18k yellow gold deployant buckle, and a domed anti-reflective scratch resistant sapphire crystal. There is a solid screwed-down case back embossed with “De-Ville” logo. The 38mm diameter solid three-body case, stepped bezel, and fluted and downturned lugs are polished. The dial is silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton index hour markers with luminous dots, luminous yellow gold feuille hands, a blued center sweep seconds hand, and an outer minute/seconds ring. There is a date aperture window at the 3 o’clock position. It includes a Certified Official Swiss Chronometer (COSC) certificate. It’s water resistant to 100 meters/330 feet, and it has a 48-hour power reserve at full wind. The 10mm thick case, dial, and movement are all signed.

The mechanical automatic self-winding Omega Co-Axial caliber 2500 movement (Omega’s co-axial version of the ETA 2892-A2) is rhodium plated, with fausses cotes and oeil de perdrix embellishment. It’s constructed with 27 jewels, Omega’s first generation coaxial escapement, and a free-sprung monometallic balance. It includes a shock absorber mechanism, and a self-compensating flat balance spring. The mechanism oscillates at a frequency of 25,200 vph.

Omega first used the name “De Ville” (the solid, elegant Cadillac) in October, 1960, to promote their new Seamaster monocoque models, which were flat, self-winding, water resistant watches with a date and a central seconds-hand. In 1963, their dials were marked “Seamaster De Ville”. By 1967, the De Ville collection had become the largest group of OMEGA timepieces.