1969 Omega Constellation Price Advice - Vintage Collectors

J

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janalog

·Aug 2, 2026

Hi everyone,

I'm currently considering purchasing a 1969 Constellation 168.017 in absolutely beautiful condition. It is probably the closest to perfect I've ever seen for a 1960s C-case in the wild.

It's stainless steel, with silver linen dial - never polished with original crystal, movement looks gorgeous inside and it has just had a full service.

Without mentioning the price it's listed for (which is firm), what do you think would be a fair price for such a rare specimen?

 

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dsio

·Aug 2, 2026·Ash @ ΩF

Beauty of a case, the difference between a polished and sharp example really means a great deal on these. This is how Genta intended the shape.

 

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Peemacgee

·Aug 3, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Welcome @janalog

It’s always easier if you simply tell us the asking price in the first place.

C cases have dropped in price quite significantly since their brief hiatus a couple of years ago.

IMHO, I suspect that the case has been refinished.
It’s likely the images make the left side lugs look less broad but I’m pretty sure Omega didn’t produce less-than-perfect lugs like the bottom left one.

 

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JimInOz

·Aug 3, 2026·Melbourne Australia

It may be perspective, but as noted above, the case looks off.
For better assessment we need more photos, preferrably straight on (not at angles) of all orientations, i.e.: front/back/left side/right side/top side (lugs)/bottom side (lugs).

I like the dial/hands/crystal and bezel, but the case, especially the left side, needs clarification.

 

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GeorgiosK

·Aug 3, 2026

Peemacgee

It’s always easier if you simply tell us the asking price in the first place.

^^^

 

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SOG53

·Aug 3, 2026

This view is helpful of side bevel

 

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malilis

·Aug 3, 2026

Hi ! Providing that indeed a full service was performed, I believe the watch would be 800 to 900.€ worth.

 

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janalog

·Aug 4, 2026

J janalog

Hi everyone,

I'm currently considering purchasing a 1969 Constellation 168.017 in absolutely beautiful condition. It is probably the closest to perfect I've ever seen for a 1960s C-case in the wild.

It's stainless steel, with silver linen dial - never polished with original crystal, movement looks gorgeous inside and it has just had a full service.

Without mentioning the price it's listed for (which is firm), what do you think would be a fair price for such a rare specimen?

Thanks, all, for taking the time to comment. I don't have much else for pics on me but here are a few showing the sides of the case. The chamfered edges are in fine condition. Evidently, this watch was sitting unworn in storage for most of the past 40 years.

Some of you have commented that a price would be helpful. But I'm not looking for "too high" or "too low" feedback , just your ballpark suggestion of a price range for a much better-than-average condition 1969 Constellation. Thank you!

 

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dsio

·Aug 4, 2026·Ash @ ΩF

It might have just been the camera angle / perspective, the bevel on the edge looks very nice to me, overall its an extremely aesthetically attractive watch and I love the contrast between the brushed and polished angles.

 

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JimInOz

·Aug 4, 2026·Melbourne Australia

Yep, the better photos really show this watch at it's best.
As to price, I'd haggle a bit with the seller, and if that failed, I'd survive on pot noodles to cover the excess $$$.
I'd be very happy to have it in my collection.

 

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Davidt

·Aug 5, 2026

C Cases aren’t viewed with the same enthusiasm as earlier Constellations and the values reflect that. I’d say even a very good example should be around £1000 without bracelet.

 

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lenndon

·Aug 5, 2026

First pictures looked like someone had a go at it with a lapping machine. New pictures show a gorgeous watch in fantastic condition.

 

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liquidsongbird

·Aug 5, 2026

What I will say is that I have several watches including several vintage omegas and the c-case is really nice on the wrist. Looks like a very nice example.

 

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janalog

·Aug 5, 2026

Thanks again, everyone, for you comments and insight. Indeed this watch might seem overpriced at over USD 2000 without original bracelet/band, box or papers. But I'm really torn on the purchase considering the excellent condition of the case, its beautiful silver linen dial with untarnished hands, and its recent full service. I've been looking for a late 1960s "C case" Constellation for quite some time and I've just never come across anything close in condition...and I might not ever again.

 

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Dan S

·Aug 5, 2026

I'm not really a c-case Constellation fan, but it looks like a nice example. Sometimes you have to pay an exorbitant price if you really want something and don't want to wait any more. It's not life-changing money in absolute terms, and if you keep it for decades, the price you paid won't really matter.

That's not the way I think about watches, TBH, but you sound like you are in love.

 

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Davidt

·Aug 6, 2026

Agree about the ‘going nuclear’ on occasion but personally I don’t see that as a $2000 watch

 

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HorsinTime

·Aug 6, 2026

Dan S

I'm not really a c-case Constellation fan, but it looks like a nice example. Sometimes you have to pay an exorbitant price if you really want something and don't want to wait any more. It's not life-changing money in absolute terms, and if you keep it for decades, the price you paid won't really matter.

Nobody can make the decision for you, @janalog, but this is a really good way of looking at things. You don't need to worry about what other people would pay as long as you know what you are willing to pay. You've done your research and you know exactly what you'll be getting, and it sounds to me (as it did to @Dan S) like you really, really want it. If I were you, and I'd found a watch I loved and would wear for years and years to come, I probably wouldn't be walking away.

 

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lenndon

·Aug 6, 2026

J janalog

Indeed this watch might seem overpriced at over USD 2000 without original bracelet/band, box or papers.

For 2000 USD you get other watches in a different category imo. Although this one is nice I would not go above 1000 USD without bracelet..

 

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liquidsongbird

·Aug 6, 2026

Steep price but the heart wants what the heart wants. $2k is not that high compared to (non c-case) other vintage watches. Good luck.

 

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GeorgiosK

·Aug 6, 2026

I guess an important part of the collectors' shared knowledge is knowing what the connoisseur's (or insider's) price for a vintage collectible watch actually is. However, life is short, and rules are made to be broken - especially when the difference between the connoisseur's price and the actual price of a dream watch doesn't significantly affect one's finances.