A gold automatic dress watch from Omega, made in the late 1950s. Its ivory dial has aged openly, with fine hairline cracks running through the lacquer and spots scattered across the centre, and that worn, lived-in face is where the name "Ivory Relic" comes from. Inside is the Cal.501, the 20-jewel version of the 500-series automatic Omega built from the mid-1950s, with a rotor that winds in both directions as the wrist moves. We serviced it in our own workshop and replaced the spring bars. It is fitted with a black embossed leather strap that is not original to the watch, and it suits a jacket and an open collar as well as a suit.
The case is gold plated. The inside of the caseback is stamped PLAQUE OR L 80 MICRONS, meaning gold rolled onto the base metal to a stated 80 microns, a far heavier layer than ordinary electroplating. It also carries the reference 2864-6 SC, where SC stands for centre seconds. Scratches and marks from use show across the case. It measures 34.5mm across without the crown and 43mm lug to lug, with a 17.5mm lug width. The long, downturned lugs follow the wrist, so it wears larger than its diameter while keeping a slim 1950s profile.
The dial is two-tone ivory, its centre and outer ring in two slightly different shades, separated by a fine minute track. An applied gold Omega symbol sits above the OMEGA AUTOMATIC signature, and faceted gold baton markers, doubled at 12, ring the dial with gold dauphine hands and a centre seconds hand. The cracks and spotting are clear in the close-up photos. This is a dial that shows its sixty-odd years rather than hiding them, for someone who wants that history left on the watch.
- wrist size in our picture is 17cm circumference -
Specifications
Specifications and condition
Brand
OMEGA
Ref.
2864-6 SC
Year
1950s
CONDITION
Fully serviced 2026/11/05
Timegrapher -19s/d 178°
spring bars replaced
scratches and dirt throughout, showing traces of use.
DIAL
two-tone ivory dial with applied gold Omega symbol and faceted baton markers
age-related hairline cracks and spotting
gold dauphine hands, centre seconds
STRAP & BUCKLE
black embossed leather strap fitting up to 18.5cm (not original to the watch)
17.5mm lug width
CASE
gold plated (PLAQUE OR L 80 MICRONS)
34.5mm(excluding crown) / 43mm(lug to lug)
MOVEMENT
Automatic Cal.501, 20 jewels
BOX & PAPERS
"PRINCIPE PRIVÉ" certificate of authenticity documentation card
