Advice on this 168.005 / 564

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Hi everyone

I'm also looking for my first vintage Constellation and being naive to vintage watches would greatly appreciate any advice on buying this one or not?

Thank you in advance 馃榾
 
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At first glance, this looks like a decent enough watch. However, it has a lot of the issues that make buying vintage pie-pan Constellations a real minefield.

First the good. The dial, while a bit yellowed, looks to be original as do the case and hands. I cannot tell if the markers a painted or the more desirable onyx inlaid.

Now the bad. The case has a lot of scratching from normal use. It has been polished, but not too much. The crown is not original, although it looks to be genuine Omega. The rotor assembly looks to have been totally replaced at one point with one from a newer watch and still there is rubbing between the rotor and caseback that will need to be addressed by a watchmaker.

I would not buy this watch unless it was very cheap. But I am a bottom feeding bargain hunter.
gatorcpa
 
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Thanks for the advice, I see some bad welding on where lugs attach to the case, is it normal?
 
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Thanks for the advice, I see some bad welding on where lugs attach to the case, is it normal?
No.
gatorcpa
 
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Thanks for the advice, I see some bad welding on where lugs attach to the case, is it normal?

I would suggest that is human detritus rather than welding in the angles of the lug joints
 
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I think this is a pretty decent example compared to others out there. The dial is original and clean but a little yellow as gatorcpa mentioned. The lugs are still pretty sharp. It'll need a service but that's normal for any vintage watch you buy.

I think a good price is $1,500 or lower. Not worth it if it's selling for $2k+.
 
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The crown is not original, although it looks to be genuine Omega. The rotor assembly looks to have been totally replaced at one point with one from a newer watch and still there is rubbing between the rotor and caseback that will need to be addressed by a watchmaker.

I would not buy this watch unless it was very cheap.
gatorcpa

The crown doesn't look like a correct replacement crown - but the odd photo angles don't help to assess properly.

Given the painted indices, the watch could be a late dogleg so the later-style rotor could be original, knowing the serial number would help (although the rotor has the 'O' which it is believed signifies a service item) - but regardless it has some serious rotor rub which will require fixing

Due to the lack of onyx inserts, I don't think this is a $1500 watch - so price will be important.