Model: Omega “Kim Il-Sung” Constellation 168.016
Year: 1960s
Features:
The Origin. You might not immediately recognise the writing on the dial, but the Korean day wheel provides a subtle hint. No, not that Korea - the other one, as the red name emblazoned across this Omega Constellation belongs to Kim Il-Sung, the founding dictator of North Korea.
The Occasion. Kim Il-Sung, the founder of North Korea, would present Omegas bearing his signature on his birthday each year. Kim Jong-Il reportedly continued this practice for several years, always distributing them on the date of Kim Il-Sung’s birthday. After Kim Jong-Il’s own passing, Kim Jong‑Un, the current dictator-in-chief, continues to issue watches bearing Kim Jong-Il’s signature, although the specifics of the modern watches are unknown.
The Extract. When I first encountered one several years ago, I assumed the signature had been added locally in North Korea. But thanks to a keen collector who obtained the relevant Extract of the Archives for his own Kim Il-Sung Constellation, it appears Omega itself designed and made the dials at the request of North Korea’s leader. And while it feels uncomfortable to say, the execution of the raised signature itself is flawless. Even under macro scrutiny, the application is precise and consistent - clear evidence that this was not the work of an amateur or a later addition.
The Watch. There’s little need to dwell on the watch itself - the 168.029 is one of Omega’s most classically vintage references. It carries all the hallmarks you’d expect: a signed crown, stamped bracelet, star dial, C-case, and the familiar Geneva Observatory medallion on the caseback. That observatory, incidentally, will be familiar to regular readers. I’ve previously covered its significance from Seiko’s perspective, but for Omega it served as the proving ground for the brand’s chronometer-grade movements, like the one housed in this watch, for decades.
The Rarity. Over the years, a handful of different Kim Il-Sung signed Omegas have escaped the DPRK - and they’re all just as rare as they are ghoulish. This will definitely only be of interest to the most grizzled collector, and not something I’d recommend as your first Omega purchase!
Specifications:
Condition: In very good condition overall. Just serviced. Signs of wear and aging, but has been incredibly well looked after for the last 60 years.
Scope: No box or papers
Movement: Omega 751 Automatic
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 35.5mm
- Lug to Lug: 40.3mm
- Case Thickness: 11.4mm
- Lug Width: 19mm
