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168.018 Omega Constellation strap/bracelet size

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I recently purchased a Constellation 168.018 (edited later from 010) from ebay which likely has an aftermarket strap. I haven't received the watch yet, but I'm curious what are my options when it comes to the straps/bracelets.

Could you recommend the right lug size for leather straps?

1. Is there a possibility of buying the original leather strap/buckle? Is yes, where can I purchase the one for this watch, and what are the specs?
2. For the original bracelet, what are my options since the bezel is gold in colour and the back is stainless steel. I don't know if a steel coloured bracelet would look good on this. Do I need Bracelet 1068 with end-links 527?

Screenshot 2024-06-29 at 6.42.53 AM.png Screenshot 2024-06-29 at 6.43.00 AM.png
Edited:
 
kaplan
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For the buckle, just be vary of eBay, many many fake buckles, very rarely an original buckle, you need to buy a buckle after finding an 18-14 or 18-16 mm strap depending on the buckle size
 
Peemacgee
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F foodietr
I recently purchased a Constellation 168.010 from ebay which likely has an aftermarket strap. I haven't received the watch yet, but I'm curious what are my options when it comes to the straps/bracelets.

Could you recommend the right lug size for leather straps?

1. Is there a possibility of buying the original leather strap/buckle? Is yes, where can I purchase the one for this watch, and what are the specs?
2. For the original bracelet, what are my options since the bezel is gold in colour and the back is stainless steel. I don't know if a steel coloured bracelet would look good on this. Do I need Bracelet 1068 with end-links 527?

To answer your questions:
Original straps do come up but they are usually used - and even if they are not, they are likely to be stiff and fragile.

Buckles do come but you need to look for the correct style for the era (see below for a couple of options.)
However, finding a 19mm/16mm strap might not be that easy as they tend to be straight.

The 168.010 has a 19mm lug spacing, so you need to find a (relatively uncommon) BOR with the correct end links - the ones you note are what is listed in the OF thread but for confirmation it's worth trawling through OF threads as there definite are members with .010s on BOR bracelets.

IMHO the only BOR you should consider is the 7-row version in gold not steel.

IMG_0935.JPG IMG_5541.JPG
 
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
To answer your questions:
Original straps do come up but they are usually used - and even if they are not, they are likely to be stiff and fragile.

Buckles do come but you need to look for the correct style for the era (see below for a couple of options.)
However, finding a 19mm/16mm strap might not be that easy as they tend to be straight.

The 168.010 has a 19mm lug spacing, so you need to find a (relatively uncommon) BOR with the correct end links - the ones you note are what is listed in the OF thread but for confirmation it's worth trawling through OF threads as there definite are members with .010s on BOR bracelets.

IMHO the only BOR you should consider is the 7-row version in gold not steel.

IMG_0935.JPG IMG_5541.JPG

Thank you for the details @Peemacgee. Appreciate the help.

I don't know if this is a stainless steel watch, with gold plating, as the back looks stainless steel. Will a gold BOR bracelet work on this?
 
dsio
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F foodietr
Thank you for the details @Peemacgee. Appreciate the help.

I don't know if this is a stainless steel watch, with gold plating, as the back looks stainless steel. Will a gold BOR bracelet work on this?
It’s gold-capped, so there is a shell of gold that is quite thick on the front and sides of the watch with steel exposed behind
 
Peemacgee
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The first one looks very much like mine above.

The second one may be a modern version but looks very ugly.

Just make sure of the inner dimensions - you want nothing less than 16mm.
 
AdamVT227
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F foodietr
Is 1) or 2) an original buckle for the watch above?

1) https://www.ebay.com/itm/186366501635?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=267024&meid=31757378e8194299af7eafe2bd0da999&pid=101196&rk=9&rkt=12&sd=166800021916&itm=186366501635&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=4429486&algv=SimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bAndUBSourceDemotionWithUltimatelyBoughtOfCoviewV1&brand=OMEGA&_trksid=p4429486.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum:18636650163531757378e8194299af7eafe2bd0da999|enc:AQAJAAABMKAGZatwWrSFioKhyF05YYps7xtgOI2Vu0BqB4BERv%2FNTfrUNkP50TZAJfREiGj7R%2BA2x2E5zTqSs43jfR6uCcmt8%2B%2BTUdobg9SfOq%2BIqjUBJ%2FI3smYT6HXHjrcxnCFZiMC0syVMcLoTv0zLYHsgczXA%2FU5YT9nSg9ClMgUn8MBZGbztt5c3TCAa29i9mcuT6r1OK60TndO4SEyPzCn%2Blq0veVuONOjUdZxCwWyzgq%2BUdJVCc75duDTcwZ158KwTJtHz8FXVzGVJlKyeUnlTsCed8lcU3qnjR1ZVOXtQlAYu%2Fgy1RXYsdZkM%2Fy4J1%2BG%2FJojZmEXMxgTu3eeKoKwD56gXGZ9JUnlAwfG7eO5c3X%2FeVI2yFmyNPdMihlsQMSuCMBtw1NUmDZuYVgl9wJIxB1Y%3D|ampid😜L_CLK|clp:4429486&itmmeta=01J1WY1FXF8YQ6ZEMHV1J97M29

2) https://www.ebay.com/itm/126558685557?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=777008&algo=PERSONAL.TOPIC&ao=1&asc=20230811125216&meid=c3be0ee18c64462982731ebf63d6b85c&pid=101771&rk=1&rkt=1&mehot=none&itm=126558685557&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=4375194&algv=WatchlistVariantWithMLR&brand=OMEGA&_trksid=p4375194.c101771.m47999&_trkparms=parentrq:79e3e3b91900a24459669155ffffd612|pageci:697c1c9a-396b-11ef-985c-0e5e2880fc3b|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage

the newer buckle looks fake to me
 
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
@foodietr
Could you post decent pics of the dial please.

I got the watch yesterday, attaching some pictures. I see some scuffs on the crystal, and some scratches overall, but overall I like it 😀
Should I change the crystal? Also, I might eventually have to do some service on the watch. Do you recommend I polish the case/case back at some point?


I really should thank @dsio for helping me find this watch. I'm gonna use this for my wedding this year, and I love this community for enabling me to find it!

Screenshot 2024-07-03 155640.png Screenshot 2024-07-03 155737.png Screenshot 2024-07-03 155852.png
 
Screenshot 2024-07-03 155918.png
Peemacgee
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Congratulations, interesting watch - very unusual indices on the dial.

Most here would advise against polishing the case or the caseback.

Crystals can be polished ( by a watchmaker or you can try yourself with Polywatch) but I can’t see an Omega logo in the centre, so it may already be a service replacement.
So, it might be worth replacing with an Omega Crystal when you have it serviced.
 
SOG53
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F foodietr
Is 1) or 2) an original buckle for the watch above?

1) https://www.ebay.com/itm/186366501635?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=267024&meid=31757378e8194299af7eafe2bd0da999&pid=101196&rk=9&rkt=12&sd=166800021916&itm=186366501635&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=4429486&algv=SimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bAndUBSourceDemotionWithUltimatelyBoughtOfCoviewV1&brand=OMEGA&_trksid=p4429486.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum:18636650163531757378e8194299af7eafe2bd0da999|enc:AQAJAAABMKAGZatwWrSFioKhyF05YYps7xtgOI2Vu0BqB4BERv%2FNTfrUNkP50TZAJfREiGj7R%2BA2x2E5zTqSs43jfR6uCcmt8%2B%2BTUdobg9SfOq%2BIqjUBJ%2FI3smYT6HXHjrcxnCFZiMC0syVMcLoTv0zLYHsgczXA%2FU5YT9nSg9ClMgUn8MBZGbztt5c3TCAa29i9mcuT6r1OK60TndO4SEyPzCn%2Blq0veVuONOjUdZxCwWyzgq%2BUdJVCc75duDTcwZ158KwTJtHz8FXVzGVJlKyeUnlTsCed8lcU3qnjR1ZVOXtQlAYu%2Fgy1RXYsdZkM%2Fy4J1%2BG%2FJojZmEXMxgTu3eeKoKwD56gXGZ9JUnlAwfG7eO5c3X%2FeVI2yFmyNPdMihlsQMSuCMBtw1NUmDZuYVgl9wJIxB1Y%3D|ampid😜L_CLK|clp:4429486&itmmeta=01J1WY1FXF8YQ6ZEMHV1J97M29

2) https://www.ebay.com/itm/126558685557?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=777008&algo=PERSONAL.TOPIC&ao=1&asc=20230811125216&meid=c3be0ee18c64462982731ebf63d6b85c&pid=101771&rk=1&rkt=1&mehot=none&itm=126558685557&pmt=1&noa=1&pg=4375194&algv=WatchlistVariantWithMLR&brand=OMEGA&_trksid=p4375194.c101771.m47999&_trkparms=parentrq:79e3e3b91900a24459669155ffffd612|pageci:697c1c9a-396b-11ef-985c-0e5e2880fc3b|iid:1|vlpname:vlp_homepage
They are both fake IMO. The big fat ugly one is more obvious, but the other one is closer but the text is off and that seller sells loads of fake buckles would not look there for an original.
 
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SOG53
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F foodietr
I got the watch yesterday, attaching some pictures. I see some scuffs on the crystal, and some scratches overall, but overall I like it 😀
Should I change the crystal? Also, I might eventually have to do some service on the watch. Do you recommend I polish the case/case back at some point?


I really should thank @dsio for helping me find this watch. I'm gonna use this for my wedding this year, and I love this community for enabling me to find it!

Screenshot 2024-07-03 155640.png Screenshot 2024-07-03 155737.png Screenshot 2024-07-03 155852.png
Nice watch congrats. I think the bezel has remnants of original radial brushing. Don't polish the case or caseback- this will ruin your nice vintage treasure! Very classy look and wear it in good health and happiness at your wedding.
 
hoipolloi
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I have a look at the dial and the hour markers looked different to my eye.
Are some markers filled with some "stuff" and some are hollow?
Tell me if I am wrong.

Screenshot_20240703_200709_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
SOG53
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I’m see what you refer to. But to me it looks like all markers are concave without fill, and light reflection makes it look different? Probably need loupe to know.
 
AdamVT227
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SOG53 SOG53
They are both fake IMO. The big fat ugly one is more obvious, but the other one is closer but the text is off and that seller sells loads of fake buckles would not look there for an original.

Yes i was also concerned about the older one but the images aren’t very good so i wasn’t sure
 
F
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hoipolloi hoipolloi
I have a look at the dial and the hour markers looked different to my eye.
Are some markers filled with some "stuff" and some are hollow?
Tell me if I am wrong.

Screenshot_20240703_200709_Samsung Internet.jpg

I think it's the angle of the photos that make it seem like one of the indices is filled and the other is hollow. I checked and every index has a hollow space which is the same.
 
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