So I picked up a nice Constellation 2652 just yesterday and whilst checking it over and noting the serial number I thought it interesting to make a short dial study regarding continuation of design in this quite early iteration of the Constellation.
First the new one, I bought it based on dreadful auction pictures, and I was very relieved when it arrived that the smudge around 11 is, as I suspected, just a shadow from a gouge in the crystal. I had been quite worried about a potentially damaged dial.
The 2652 is a pretty interesting reference with lots of dial variance as well as the attractive old rounded Omega logo, double crossed ´t´s´ and the possibility of scoring a 352 instead of the more common 354 calibre movement.
This one has a lovely half dome half waffle dial which I haven´t seen very often. The outside part is satin finished whereas the middle waffle section is a slightly different colour and has a mat finish.
The four shown here are set out in chronological order, left to right. Although to the layman they may look pretty similar with their pale colours and gold arrowhead markers, to the avid Constellation collector (me) there are more than enough differences to justify having 4 of the same reference in a collection......
😀
The oldest on the left is a 14kt 12.7 million serial 352 with dome dial, then my new 14kt 13.1 million serial 354 half waffle, followed by an 18 kt 13.5 million serial 354 waffle and finally an 18kt 13.7 million 354 with hobnail finish dial.
These solid gold cases can receive some heavy wear over the years, but fortunately these four seem to have come through pretty well with nice crisp medallions and the 18 kt cases having a deeper, richer colour.
I am not trying to make any claims here about which dial style came first in this reference, I just thought it an interesting coincidence that in consecutive order of these four we can see the progression from plain dome to the very fancy hobnail or `Clous de Paris´
but ddid they price the piece right?
