if you have recourse to do so (I.e. it was described as all original) then my advice would also be send it back.
I think that if the seconds hand can be replaced with a suitable one, I'd be content to put up with the other deficiencies.
I wouldn't. You bought a chronometer and it doesn't have a chronometer movement in it. That alone is reason enough.
Ordinarily, I would agree, if this purchase was made with the intent of selling it when I tire of it.
I don't intend to sell the watch.
I've been assured that it has received a thorough service.
In the circumstances............
There are also a couple of Constellations up in the private sales thread 👍
Write this off as a bad job. There are many issues here. Firstly it has had a movement swap which is an immediate red flag, as above, the watch ain't what it claims on the (repainted) dial. That too is a big drag on the charm and value. The observatory medallion on the back is a Constellation signature and all but worn away there. There should be 8 stars in that cloudy sky. The bracelet is wrong too, hence the terrible fit at the lugs. The movement is in fact about 2-3 years younger than the watch and looks pretty grubby and worn. I could go on but I wont.
There are multiple reasons why this watch will just annoy you long term when you learn what a good one looks like and when you do finally decide to shift it on or swap for a better one you will have jokers like us slagging it off.
There are also a couple of Constellations up in the private sales thread 👍
I'd message the seller before they ship it, asking them not to bother because it'll only be returned 'not as described' if they do.
I have.
We're in the process of trying to work out a compromise.
If we can't, he's confirmed that he's happy to refund my payment in full.
I admire that in a seller.
Yes, seller @nanjingcigaretes has some lovely watches.
But they're beyond what I want to spend at this juncture.
Newbies like us have only 2 options: either to pay a premium for a nice example on a dealer or on the FS section (the well priced ones go in a flash), or; to settle with « not to nice/poor » examples...
I know now that I prefer the 1 option. You took the second one... no crime there
Option 3 would be to spend a few days on OF, going through the old threads and get to know the reference you are hunting inside out - then be patient, stalk the less crowded hunting grounds and then pounce when the moment comes 😀
I apologise if I sounded unsympathetic but in your replies it sounds like you are talking yourself into keeping it, maybe after a part refund. I was trying to impress on you that it is best to walk away altogether here as it has few saving graces. You might not care about how straight it is now but if you get into vintage watches then you certainly will in future. Vintage Omegas are a gateway drug, people rarely stop at one. The first one people buy without doing their homework is known around these parts as 'Noob Tax'. This watch falls squarely into that category and at $1,100 it wont be one of the cheaper ones.
The more time I spend on the subject, the more confused I tend to get.
There are just so many variants of the Constellation................
I plan to spend a lot more time researching though.
