1960s Constellation 18K 168005/6 Thrift Find

It has been a few years since I posted or commented. And hadn’t really had a reason or anything to post. I used to come across vintage Omegas for cheap at least once or twice a year. By cheap I mean under $100US. Pretty spoiled until the stores I frequented started examining their donated goods a bit closer. Anyway, I was checking out a store last week and imagine my surprise at seeing a Connie in a jar for $12.99! I immediately thought “take a picture for the forum!”. It needs a bit of work and since I still have some regret for selling the Pie Pan in my avatar, I am considering investing the time in getting this fixed. Several questions come to mind. The case back has a dent that is rubbing on the movement and you can see that in the pics. I suspect this must have happened in recent times or maybe happened and the owner stopped wearing the watch. Can this be fixed by a professional as well as the movement damage (if needed)? Also, this beauty came on a CDL 14K bracelet. Yes, I was simply shocked and went out to buy some lottery tickets after this! The bracelet is stretched and missing the end pin and I have no idea of the cost of having it repaired/serviced and I’m not even sure at this point if I would keep the bracket on this watch anyway. Gray & Sons in Florida offers gold bracelet repair but I have not contacted them yet and based on the damage that was done to a previous barn find (67 Speedmaster that I regrettably sold), I would rather have any work done by folks suggested by this forum. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh…and before I took these picks, I dropped the watch (minus) the bracelet on the cement floor of my basement! While small, there is damage to the top right lug of watch that reminds me I can be an idiot sometimes. Anyway, any info about this model or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Yes! Most people do. I have gotten 5+ Omega watches this way (the real ones…don’t count the fakes LOL). Once spent $50 or so on a jar of watches and was shocked to find the Omega Seamaster in my avatar as well as a Breitling Aerospace Titanium. I’m down to only finding one $1K+ value a watch a year this way, but I can’t complain. But Omegas are farther and fewer between the finds these days.

Thanks! I sent an email yesterday for info and quotes.

Unadjusted movement in a Constellation ?

It definitely looks like a Franken, but so what ? at that price ! I'll sure sharpen my eyes from now on !!

I didn’t even notice that! Hmm… Unmatched case back. Franken movement. Wrong crown (the easiest fix). Not sure if it would be something I want to spend $$ in correcting. This may end up as a project watch on “the ‘Bay” and use the proceeds to address my other Omegas and get at least some nice leather straps. I’m disappointed in a small way but since I have a Connie, maybe this gets me closer to another Speedmaster.

Strangely, the case back indicates an 18K composition, which is ever so odd to have put it on a SS/ Gold capped case ! so even the case back itself is worth a lot more than what you paid for it.

Right! A lot of time and effort and money spent for a franken. But I guess the owner may have been sold a false set of goods years ago. Also the 14K solid gold CDL bracelet in the mix.