Omega De Ville Ref. 515.0014 'Disco Volante' (Circa 1970s)

WHY WE CURATED IT:
The De Ville name began within the Seamaster family before becoming its own collection in 1967, marking Omega’s move towards a more refined and design led approach to watchmaking. By the 1970s, that freedom was beginning to show in some wonderfully unconventional cases, and this De Ville is a particularly good example.

Its broad, sculpted case has an almost disproportionate relationship with its remarkably thin profile. Viewed from above, the wide form appears to float around the dial, which is where the “disco volante”, or “flying saucer”, nickname comes from. It is unmistakably a product of the 1970s, when watch design was becoming increasingly interested in unusual shapes and proportions rather than simply refining the traditional round case.

What makes the watch particularly interesting, however, is that its unusual appearance is closely tied to its construction. The case uses a monocoque style design without a conventional removable caseback, meaning the movement is accessed from the front by removing the crystal and dial. This allowed Omega to keep the profile exceptionally slim while maintaining the broad, uninterrupted shape of the case. What initially appears to be an eccentric piece of 1970s styling therefore has a surprisingly practical engineering rationale behind it.

The design is further helped by the restraint of the dial. The grey sunburst surface provides just enough texture beneath the broad bezel, while the simple cardinal markers give the otherwise understated dial some definition. The yellow gold-plated finish adds warmth without competing with the geometry of the case, particularly against the brushed surface of the bezel.

There is something slightly contradictory about the proportions. The watch has an unusually large visual footprint, yet it remains almost wafer thin on the wrist. It is neither conventionally delicate nor overtly extravagant. Instead, its character comes almost entirely from the relationship between its shape, construction and proportions.

That is ultimately what makes this De Ville worth paying attention to. It captures a period when Omega was willing to treat the case itself as a significant part of the watch's identity, rather than simply a container for the movement and dial. The result is distinctly 1970s, but it is not unusual merely for the sake of being unusual. The flying saucer shape, the monocoque construction and the remarkably slim profile are all working towards the same idea, making this a particularly convincing example of Omega's more experimental side.

CONDITION:
8.5/10. The case remains in excellent overall condition, with only minimal signs of wear visible throughout the bezel and caseback, consistent with previous use. 

The dial is clean and well preserved, with the Omega logo on the Hesalite crystal still present. The watch is also fitted with its original Omega-signed crown.

The manual-winding Omega Cal. 620 movement is running well, recording an average daily rate of approximately ±30 seconds across six positions. Beat error remains low, with healthy amplitude for a vintage movement. Power reserve is also strong for a watch of this vintage.

Offered as a watch only, it comes fitted on an aftermarket calf leather strap with an aftermarket gold-plated tang buckle.

DIMENSIONS:
30mm diameter excl. crown
7.5mm thickness
14mm lug width
Wrist is 16cm in photos

CRYSTAL:
Omega-signed Hesalite

CASE:
Steel, gold-plated

CALIBRE:
Omega Cal. 620, manual winding

COMES WITH:
Watch only

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