I have very much enjoyed these forums and am greatly impressed by the amazing breadth of the knowledge of the forum members and their generosity in sharing that knowledge, especially with new collectors (like me). All that being said, I would like to impose on your generosity with a few questions in connection with my quest for my first Constellation.

I'm hoping to find a late 50's or early 60's pie pan, in all-stainless, with a white or silver dial, with yellow or rose gold hour markers. This will be my everyday watch for the office, so I would like something in very good original condition (and realize that will likely come at a premium). Now for my questions:

1. In terms of accuracy, reliability and desirability, is there an appreciable difference in the 551/561 calibres vs. the 504/505? I think I prefer the look of arrowhead markers, but it appears that may be harder to find in what I am looking for in a 551/561 caliber.

2. Any suggestions on where to look for this grail watch? My preference would be to buy it from a forum member here, but it looks like from my review of the private sales forum going back for some time, similar watches don't seem to come up very often.

Thanks again for any advice you can share and for the introduction to this great hobby/ terrible addiction.

 

In case you haven't found this site: http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

Spend some time exploring that site. If you are interested in acquiring a Constellation it's required reading.

 

Thanks, ahsposo. I have been slowly working my way through Desmond's amazing blog. The amount of information he has assembled there is incredible.

 

Here's another resource: https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-constellations-show-and-tell.19186/

A lot to look at but some real meat in there too.

Study and patience will be your friend here.

But you also might try (I think you can do this) post your grail search in the "Want to Buy" thread. Also don't overlook the dealers thread.

 

I believe parts are still available for 55x/56x (or more plentiful) and not for 50x. I think I read here not long ago that some part of the 50x rotor is prone to wear and not readily available.

 

May I suggest being very diligent and having sharp elbows for such a specimen many are seeking.

 

Thanks for your thoughts, micampe.

 

Good advice. Thank you, TexOmega.

 

I have mentioned this many times before, but the best ressource for all things Omega really are these boards. If you really want to be enabled to buy a great watch on, say, eBay, do your homework first and do it here! The one I just bought (see below) was a pretty quick purchase and, IMO, well under market value. The only reason I could strike at it was the hours I've spent reading up on what the brain trust here has discussed previously.

Start here.

How about bumpers? I love the feel of the weight sliding around, you never forget you're wearing something special

I'd say these come up for sale on here once every two months or so. I happen to have purchased one recently, so did some post-purchase reading up on here and noticed that the frequency was around that mark.



(crappy eBay pic, haven't received it yet. May have jinxed it now )

 

Great looking watch, ConElPueblo, and thanks for your thoughts!

 

The only thing I will add is that the watches I wear everyday are not the best watches I own, I reserve those for special occasions. You can certainly do otherwise, but worth thinking about. The more special/irreplaceable, the less I wear them. I have a few Connies/Longines that are maybe 80-85% that are easy to wear without a lot of concern. The watches I found that are near original get a lot less wear. That said, I agree with others, do your homework, and you will be able to recognize good values. I definitely recommend the sales forums on this site. I've bought several watches here that were definitely very good values and some that are really special. It's more important to know what you are after.

 

This forum is the best place to pick up your Connie. Be patient and keep learning. Although not what you're looking for, this is the first Connie is I picked up here. I couldn't be happier. Good luck in your search

 

Thanks, Jacquot. Definitely something to keeep in mind.

 

Thanks, Schmedsc. Great looking Connie!

 

My everyday watch is a Connie that hasn't the sharpest case and has had a redial done on it. I enjoy the watch but don't worry about it overly much.

 

That sounds like good advice. Thanks, WF.

 

not sure about the rotor thing, I have seen plenty loose rotors on the later 5xx movements, but I wear a mid 50's one everyday and enjoy it immensely. I also have parts on hand just in case too but I don't think parts are that hard to come by, not like some rarer movements at least. I say get what design speaks to you and worry about the supply of parts after the fact. Getting what you want is more important. The 50's connies just speak to me more than later ones, they seem more reserved but no question the 55x movement has some better refinements, the hairspring and balance are both upgraded for one.

 

Thanks, Gator. Love your avatar, too.

I think you're right about not making a grail watch an every day wearer. Nothing wrong with building up a collection to rotate them.

Go Gators!

 

Thanks, Kja. That is good information about the availability of parts.