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  1. Terrypo Apr 23, 2017

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    Firstly, let me thank all contributors to this forum for the wealth of knowledge found on this site.

    The information I gained here helped me make a recent purchase of two watches from the same Ebay seller. I first purchased a mid 60's Constellation with box. Not sure it is the original box. Also came with an Omega strap in addition to the replacement strap that was on the watch.

    Admittedly I may have been a little hasty as there were no internal images and the photos were less than ideal. It did appear that the case was in very good shape and had not suffered from dreaded polishing.

    This example is pretty vanilla with no gold or embellishments but in my inexperienced opinion, it appeared to be in very good condition.

    I made an offer to the seller and completed the deal. Of course as soon as I did, I began to have buyer's remorse. Was it a redial? Is the lume a bit chunky? Would it have the correct internal parts? Was it even authentic?

    On arrival I rushed to my local Omega dealer and dropped both watches to have them checked out. After a few days he called to report that internally the Omega was in very good condition, recently serviced and should need nothing from him for 5 to 7 years.

    Thanks to the internal photos supplied by the Horologist and the Serial Number by Year listing found on this site, was likely made in 1967 and has a 564 movement and a 168018 case back.

    The movement photos below are from the Horologist and show the Omega strap, now on the watch. I did obscure part of the serial number as I have seen others do, not sure why this is done.

    I paid US $1460 including shipping which I suspect is on the high side for this watch but I am happy to own it and will wear it with pride.

    If you have any insights for this piece please post them. I know some information may be critical but I feel it is better to know as much as possible.

    Thanks
    Terry

    PS: The 2nd watch I purchased was a Longines White Gold, hand winder. I have posted it in the "post your Longines" thread. s-l1600.jpg s-l16002.jpg s-l16003.jpg s-l16004.jpg s-l16007.jpg Const a.jpg Const b.jpg 20170420_150715.jpg 20170420_150926.jpg
     
    s-l16006.jpg
  2. lillatroll Apr 23, 2017

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    Congratulations. It looks like a nice clean example. I think you paid quite a lot on the high side but if you bought it to wear it then it's not worth thinking about as it will spoil the enjoyment of wearing it. I paid a fair but over the odds for my first vintage watch from a dealer in LA while on holiday, however I love that watch more than any other so it makes no difference.
    Enjoy your watch .
     
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  3. Terrypo Apr 23, 2017

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    Thanks for the input, the white gold Longines was $760 so I think I am dollar cost averaging. :>)
    It was a bonus that I did not have to spend $ on a service also.
     
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  4. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Apr 23, 2017

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    I would say it is a redial, lumed hands and dial with no T next to Swiss Made.
    A better pic will help to confirm.
     
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  5. mrod3950 Apr 23, 2017

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    Awesome watch. Can't comment on the price you paid, or the dial's authenticity but I'd say if you intend to wear this watch and not flip it, it's a nice pick up.
     
  6. Terrypo Apr 23, 2017

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    Thanks for the input. Have not picked the watch up from the Jeweller yet but will try to post better pics when I get my hands on it again.
     
  7. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Apr 23, 2017

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    Welcome to the addiction!

    My '68 says hello, your's is a nice piece and looks to be in good shape, if you're happy with the price and the condition then its a perfect buy, enjoy it!

    Some get pretty worked up about redials and small details but if I like the watch and feel the price is fair then I buy it and enjoy it.

    Hope it serves you well!

    P1020039.JPG
     
  8. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Apr 23, 2017

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    Sorry to rain on your parade but I have to agree with @hoipolloi
    I would expect a 68 Connie to have the usual curly n in Constellation
    I was going to mention the rotor too as it looks a little late for a 68 but I might be wrong there - not sure what year they came in
    If it was described as all original I would consider returning it as $1460 is quite steep for perfect 168.018 and definitely too steep for a redial
    But if not - it's still a good looking watch - so you can enjoy wearing it
     
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  9. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Apr 23, 2017

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    Redial is not a small detail. A redial can cut the price down more than half.
     
  10. lillatroll Apr 23, 2017

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    Readingabout the Swiss made with or without ts I found it quite difficult to find any definite answer but I did read one page that said the ts were added to dials on all watches with lume from around 1963/64 but that it is possible to find watches with dials that are lumed without the ts because watch companies were allowed to use up stock.
    Again I have no idea if this fact or opinion, but if the OP's watch is from the mid sixties it might explain the lack of ts on the dial.
     
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  11. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers Apr 23, 2017

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    Hi @lillatroll
    How's it going in Africa?
    There is a period when Omega tritium dials have no Ts but it is at that transition period you mention in the early 60s
    After that they are pretty much consistent with one or two Ts right through into the 70s ( I read on a recent OF thread they -surprisingly- dropped them then)
    The OP's watch is the 'new style' flat dial Connie dial from late 60s so should have Ts
     
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  12. lillatroll Apr 23, 2017

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    Hi @peemagee :)
    Malawi is good. The vintage watch scene is not so hot but they have beer so it beats Kuwait :)
    Thanks for the explanation. I was a bit unsure because the OP says it is from the mid sixties so was wondering if that could be a reason why it had no ts.
    Hope life is treating you well. I guess you are still in the sandpit.
     
  13. Jkuback Apr 23, 2017

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    Congrats for your watch, I really like that ref, especially the 564 with Date setting.

    I leave the redial etc discussion to the specialists here. But price-wise I can add that I (unfortunately, because I really liked it) sold mine (See pic) for significantly less about two months ago. IMG_20170312_101539.jpg
     
  14. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Apr 23, 2017

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    True, and I would never argue the point. But sometimes a watch is bought just because you like it, or for the fun of it.... not caring about its value.

    That said, it should be priced right if its a redial which, if this watch is a redial, it isn't.
     
  15. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Apr 23, 2017

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    To you that watch is original, not a redial, right?
    That's fair enough.
    Let's wait for better pictures from the OP then.


    BTW, did you compare it to the watch just sold by Jkuback?
     
  16. Terrypo Apr 23, 2017

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    Thanks for everyone's input.
    More pics coming soon.
    Terry
     
  17. Fritz genuflects before the mighty quartzophobe Apr 23, 2017

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    I'm not saying it's not a redial, I'm saying the price isn't right if it is...

    I'm on a crappy tiny screen today... It might be a Rolex for all I can tell!
     
  18. Terrypo May 6, 2017

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    This took longer than I anticipated but picked up my Constellation from the jeweller recently and took some pics. These are as good as i can manage using an iPhone.

    I have done some online research and it appears to me that the style of the script and lack of "T"s is consistent with later Models (70's & early 80's). Perhaps a redial or original replaced with a later version?

    Bottom line is that although I over paid and did not get what I hoped to be an original piece, I like this watch and the local Omega dealer's technician said it in excellent shape internally and does not need to see him for 5-7 years.

    I will wear and enjoy it.
    IMG_6304.jpg IMG_6309.jpg IMG_6315.jpg
     
  19. Peemacgee Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers May 6, 2017

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    Definitely a redial but quite a nicely done one.
    Your second point is the most important thing.

    Enjoy!
     
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  20. TNTwatch May 6, 2017

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    Could be a later service replacement dial, ala Watchco, with no T and straight "n"s.