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nkb
·Hi OF's and hope you are all well!
I have come across this pie-pan constellation which may be of interest for me to purchase but I need your advice/opinions on whether it is a good purchase or not.
It is a 1964 ref. 168.004 cal. 561 with hidden crown and serial number 21290744 (21 millon range).
Everything looks original including dial, case, caseback, movement and crown.
My main concern is about condition and whether the asking price of $1185 is appropriate.
The seller is a dealer so the price is to be expected but the dealer would allow me to trade-in my Tag Heuer Formula 1 as part exchange which would reduce the asking price for the constellation to about $900. I would rather have a vintage constellation than a Tag anyday!
My own evaluation of condition is:
Dial: Looks like an original dial with no signs of finishing.
Some dirt (patina) adding weight to it not being re-finished.
The dial scripts are fine, the pie-pan facets and the crosshairs are correct. The hands are correct with lume and the hour markers have recesses where lume should be.
The date surround facets/chamfers are correct.
The T SWISS MADE T is present but it appears to be lower on the dial than it should. The only explanation I have is it is do with the crystal being an aftermarket replacement.
Case and crown: Does not look polished but is quite worn (lots of scratches on lugs)
Medallion is okay but there are some scratches on the case back
Crown original. Is that corrosion on the case near the crown or dirt?
Inside case-back: Original with correct ref. stamp. No signs of rotor rub.
Movement : Correct cal. number and serial for this case and dial
Movement a bit dirty and old looking (it may the light). Can be sorted out with servicing?
Is there anything I have missed?
Sorry about some bad photos but incoming from seller.
Your advice /opinions are most welcome!
I have come across this pie-pan constellation which may be of interest for me to purchase but I need your advice/opinions on whether it is a good purchase or not.
It is a 1964 ref. 168.004 cal. 561 with hidden crown and serial number 21290744 (21 millon range).
Everything looks original including dial, case, caseback, movement and crown.
My main concern is about condition and whether the asking price of $1185 is appropriate.
The seller is a dealer so the price is to be expected but the dealer would allow me to trade-in my Tag Heuer Formula 1 as part exchange which would reduce the asking price for the constellation to about $900. I would rather have a vintage constellation than a Tag anyday!
My own evaluation of condition is:
Dial: Looks like an original dial with no signs of finishing.
Some dirt (patina) adding weight to it not being re-finished.
The dial scripts are fine, the pie-pan facets and the crosshairs are correct. The hands are correct with lume and the hour markers have recesses where lume should be.
The date surround facets/chamfers are correct.
The T SWISS MADE T is present but it appears to be lower on the dial than it should. The only explanation I have is it is do with the crystal being an aftermarket replacement.
Case and crown: Does not look polished but is quite worn (lots of scratches on lugs)
Medallion is okay but there are some scratches on the case back
Crown original. Is that corrosion on the case near the crown or dirt?
Inside case-back: Original with correct ref. stamp. No signs of rotor rub.
Movement : Correct cal. number and serial for this case and dial
Movement a bit dirty and old looking (it may the light). Can be sorted out with servicing?
Is there anything I have missed?
Sorry about some bad photos but incoming from seller.
Your advice /opinions are most welcome!
