1961 Omega Constellation Pie Pan - caution radioactive content!

Vintage12 · Mar 13, 2022

Up next for the collection is this Omega Constellation from 1961-62, I was drawn to the dial patina and gold tones of the watch. The case and dial with it's pie pan and cross hairs seem to present nicely, the back is over polished and has lost some of the stars - is that style correct for a date model as I've seen conflicting information, we have some crumbly hands but they look to be original. Crown seems good. I'm interested in originality, is it all correct?

I've since learned that Omega started phasing out the radium dials around this time. A check with my Geiger counter showed 2.1 micro Sieverts / hour, not super hot and if anything demonstrates originality. I can't wait 1600 years to get this down below 1 micro Sv to start wearing it! That being said, I need to decide what to do with the lume in the hands which is crumbling away. I'm inclined to leave it, but appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Enjoy. Oh, and by the way this was an ebay purchase that doesn't allow tritium watch sales - hmmm.

stormysky10 · Mar 13, 2022

I think it looks correct. Movement parts have been swapped in/out since the finishes don't match up. The case has been polished quite heavily. Besides the definition in the stars, the bezel and lugs have been rounded off.

MtV · Mar 13, 2022

Vintage12
the back is over polished and has lost some of the stars - is that style correct for a date model as I've seen conflicting information, we have some crumbly hands but they look to be original. Crown seems good. I'm interested in originality, is it all correct?

The caseback medallion is (or was) correct for the ref. Hands are correct and can be relumed, should you care to have it done - it won't make a difference to the value in this case. The crown is an incorrect replacement, the thick decagonal style doesn't belong on a 14393, but that's an issue that can be taken care of.

Vintage12 · Mar 14, 2022

Some excellent feedback from the forum members. Thank you.

Stormsky10 - I agree on the polish level and think that is reflected in the price I paid, US$980 - does that seem reasonable, good, bad? I'd love a crispy case and medallion but expect that may be much more. I was intrigued by your comments on the movement, so donned the hazmat suit and opened up the back to get a better photo than the seller provided (see what you think). It also gave me an opportunity to regulate the watch quite nicely as it turns out.

MtV - Thanks, I'm pondering on that lume, no rush. Well spotted on the crown, here's what I have learned - in most all examples of the 14393 Connie you can expect a decagonal crown and so I ticked the box, however, original fitment should have been the slightly less bulky #4204/BF1080 4.70mm diameter and 2.1mm thick crown. I measured mine at 5.00mm x 2.7mm indicative of the earlier #4219/BF1060. Reading up a little more I understand it was Omega's policy to change the crown and seals at every service. I assume this was done, perhaps many times, and since the #4204 is limited supply the different crown was used. No worries, I'll see if I can pick up a #4204 at some point. makes me wonder how many original watch and crown combinations there are for this period.

This is my first venture in to the smaller diameter cases <35mm, I'm getting used to it but thought I would post a comparable with my recent travel companion, a Rolex GMT II BLNR (the "Batman") at 40mm.

.

MtV · Mar 14, 2022

Vintage12
Well spotted on the crown, here's what I have learned - in most all examples of the 14393 Connie you can expect a decagonal crown and so I ticked the box, however, original fitment should have been the slightly less bulky #4204/BF1080 4.70mm diameter and 2.1mm thick crown. I measured mine at 5.00mm x 2.7mm indicative of the earlier #4219/BF1060. Reading up a little more I understand it was Omega's policy to change the crown and seals at every service. I assume this was done, perhaps many times, and since the #4204 is limited supply the different crown was used. No worries, I'll see if I can pick up a #4204 at some point.

Well done! Indeed, this is the thicker of the decagonal crowns, and it doesn't have the flat feet logo, so it's a later service replacement. There's value in it, though, and you should be able to sell it for roughly what you'll pay for a thin decagonal example (also a service replacement; finding a flat feet example will set you back significantly more, ~100-150USD roughly). This is just for the sake of completeness, though - tbh I'd either leave it as is or find a thin decagonal of eBay for little money and wear the hell out of it. My guess would've been that most 14393s came with the thin scallop crown, by the way. Much harder to find an example of those, though.

Vintage12
makes me wonder how many original watch and crown combinations there are for this period.

Usually it's 1-2 options. For the first six-digit reference Constellations that followed right after the 14393 (167.005/168.005), there's only one correct style, but the 2852, for example, which was built till the late 50s, had either thick decagonal or clover crowns. Off the top of my head, I'm not aware of a Constellation reference that featured three correct crown styles.

Vintage12
This is my first venture in to the smaller diameter cases <35mm, I'm getting used to it but thought I would post a comparable with my recent travel companion, a Rolex GMT II BLNR (the "Batman") at 40mm.

Congrats - I'm sure you'll get used to the size (and lightness) of it very quickly.

And by the way, regarding price: I think you did ok. Not a bargain for many here as it's not a piece seasoned collectors would likely look for for their collection, but you also didn't overpay. It's a pie pan dialed Constellation from a great era and it's in a condition that means you can wear it without worries. I doubt you'll have issues reselling it for the same price, and in the meantime, there's a lot of watch to enjoy on your wrist. 😀

malilis · Mar 15, 2022

Nice watch for a reasonable price ... even if it is not a "collector" watch, it's still beautiful and agreeable to wear .. Congratulations !

Peemacgee · Mar 15, 2022

MtV
My guess would've been that most 14393s came with the thin scallop crown, by the way. .

I'm not so sure about this
A lot of 14381/14393s have shown up with the thin scalloped crown - and there was even a discussion (that went down a blind ally) about whether they may have been region specific, such as for the US market.
However, I believe there are just as many (if not more) 'standard' hexagonal crown versions, (and not just because I have 2 myself 😀) so it does look like there are two correct crowns for these references, for whatever reason -but similarly, these are the references with the (predominantly ) 'missing text' dials, so who knows what Omega was thinking at the time

MtV
Off the top of my head, I'm not aware of a Constellation reference that featured three correct crown styles.

I think the C-case Connies may qualify for the unique feature of having 3 different correct crowns (but then again Omega did lots of strange things with the C-cased Connies)

@kaplan?

watchem · Mar 15, 2022

I have a few radium dial watches. I do not wear them everyday and I never open the caseback myself. I would sell before even thinking of reluming. I have the same counter.

stormysky10 · Mar 15, 2022

The watch was definitely used/loved during its lifetime as reflected by the case/movement. For $980, I think you did okay like others have mentioned. At the end of the day all that matters is you enjoy wearing it. 😀

1961 Omega Constellation Pie Pan - caution radioactive content!

Vintage12

stormysky10

MtV

Vintage12

MtV

malilis

Peemacgee

watchem

stormysky10

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