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1969 Omega Constellation

me1969
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Hello all, I recently purchased a birth year Omega, a 1969 Gerald Genta designed Constellation Chronograph.
It hasn't been delivered yet but when it is I will send it to my trusted watchmaker for a thorough cleaning and service as I do with all the pieces I acquire.
My question is whether or not a cyclops would be acceptable if I'm interested in keeping it original.
I've read that this model came both with, and without the cyclops and because I am a big fan of that feature I'd like to have the crystal replaced with one that has it.
I didn't take these pictures, they are the ones used in the listing but I hope they offer enough information to make an educated decision.
It is a reference 168.045 & has a 751 movement.
Thank you
 
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Archer
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Omega calls up a glass without the magnifier for this model, so 063PZ5148. However, there is a Day/Date magnifier version available as well, so that is 063PZ5148LL. I don't think it would be out of place on this watch certainly.

BTW, this has been heavily polished, and the brushed finish on the watch appears to have been removed completely. You may want to consider having your watchmaker apply this finish again.

Cheers, Al
 
me1969
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Archer Archer
Omega calls up a glass without the magnifier for this model, so 063PZ5148. However, there is a Day/Date magnifier version available as well, so that is 063PZ5148LL. I don't think it would be out of place on this watch certainly.

BTW, this has been heavily polished, and the brushed finish on the watch appears to have been removed completely. You may want to consider having your watchmaker apply this finish again.

Cheers, Al

Thank you, Archer.
Is it possible to re-apply the brushed finish? That is something I'm unfamiliar with.
 
Dan S
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The lumed areas in the hands could also use some attention. They almost appear to be painted white.
 
me1969
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Dan S Dan S
The lumed areas in the hands could also use some attention. They almost appear to be painted white.

Thank you, I'll mention it as well. He's working on a 1969 Tudor Prince Oyster for me now that also has some lume issues.
 
blueteg
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me1969 me1969
Thank you, Archer.
Is it possible to re-apply the brushed finish? That is something I'm unfamiliar with.

Yes, think of it as sanding down a piece of wood. To achieve the polished finish you have now, the carpenter would have used a very fine grit sandpaper (300-400 grit). To get back the brushed finish that the watch would have had after it left the factory, the carpenter would have to go back over the finely finished surfaced with a rougher media to gain a slightly rougher texture. It's not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but you get the picture. 😀
 
me1969
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blueteg blueteg
Yes, think of it as sanding down a piece of wood. To achieve the polished finish you have now, the carpenter would have used a very fine grit sandpaper (300-400 grit). To get back the brushed finish that the watch would have had after it left the factory, the carpenter would have to go back over the finely finished surfaced with a rougher media to gain a slightly rougher texture. It's not exactly an apples to apples comparison, but you get the picture. 😀

I'll be sure to mention it when I send it, he's been repairing watches for 45+ years and also teaches watch repair at a college so I'm sure he'll be familiar.
When it is done though will it look original?
 
Archer
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me1969 me1969
Thank you, Archer.
Is it possible to re-apply the brushed finish? That is something I'm unfamiliar with.

Yes. Bezel would have to be removed and then the brushed finish could be applied using various methods - straight grain style done manually, using a satin finish wheel, etc.
 
webvan
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I've had that very watch for about 10 years and had no idea it was a Gerald Genta design ! Actually I looked at some documents I'd saved and it does not appear to be the case per Desmond (@mondodec) http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2010/06/omega-constellation-calibre-751.html

"The model 368.0845 was the first truly case-integrated bracelet watch in the world. Invented in 1964 by Pierre Moinat, Omega’s then Head of Creations, a patent for the system was granted in 1965. The design was kept under wraps until the official launch of the third design phase of Omega Constellations and other sister collections at Baselworld in 1969.(...)"

and elsewhere : "The classic 168.019 C-Shape case, in contrast snuggles into the wrist beautifully. Based on the 168.009 designed by Gerald Genta, the (...)"

Mine looks "unmolested" (apart from one of the integrated bracelet's screws that's jammed) and has the day date magnifier mentioned by Archer.
 
me1969
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webvan webvan
I've had that very watch for about 10 years and had no idea it was a Gerald Genta design ! Actually I looked at some documents I'd saved and it does not appear to be the case per Desmond (@mondodec) http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2010/06/omega-constellation-calibre-751.html

"The model 368.0845 was the first truly case-integrated bracelet watch in the world. Invented in 1964 by Pierre Moinat, Omega’s then Head of Creations, a patent for the system was granted in 1965. The design was kept under wraps until the official launch of the third design phase of Omega Constellations and other sister collections at Baselworld in 1969.(...)"

and elsewhere : "The classic 168.019 C-Shape case, in contrast snuggles into the wrist beautifully. Based on the 168.009 designed by Gerald Genta, the (...)"

Mine looks "unmolested" (apart from one of the integrated bracelet's screws that's jammed) and has the day date magnifier mentioned by Archer.

Hi Webvan, I wasn't trying to mislead anyone. I had read in several descriptions that Gerald Genta had designed the 1969 Constellation.
If that is not the case then I apologize,
 
Dan S
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Genta generally gets credit for the c-case Constellation IIRC. At least that is the conventional internet wisdom.
 
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