Advise on a C case Constellation I’m considering

Posts
613
Likes
10,918
Hello all,

I’m considering picking up a C Case Constellation, and the one below caught my eye. The photos are few and small, but in my quite uneducated opinion I think it looks good. The asking price is $1395, which seems to be on the high end for a gold plated one of these. Seller rates the condition highly, and online reviews suggest their ratings are reasonable accurate.

What does the forum think? Look OK? What about the price - seem fair for a dealer?

Thank you in advance for any advice.


Edited:
 
Posts
17,535
Likes
26,540
Looks solid too me, but I’m not an expert on these.
 
Posts
16,230
Likes
44,673
Plating wear-through on the case- don’t need to look any further


Overpriced by twice
 
Posts
1,699
Likes
5,179
gold capped case. yes, bit overpriced. if your eyes is glued on c-case, don't limit it
this one. try looking for an all steel c-cased.
 
Posts
9,591
Likes
27,598
$1400 is about double what I would expect one of these in good condition to fetch. For an overpolished one, it's robbery.
 
Posts
9,591
Likes
27,598
So ignore what I said @ConElPueblo knows

To be fair, if JW hadn't blown up the photos, I wouldn't have seen the coarser than original brushing and the worn down capping. Such a shame 🙁
 
Posts
29,556
Likes
35,537
These watches had pretty good water resistance and solid movements, there are a lot of survivors and they're not as popular as their more traditional looking cousins. You can afford to be picky in getting the right one and this isn't it at $1400.
 
Posts
3,181
Likes
12,506
And if you’re paying 1400$ for one, that’s the money for a linen dial, 18k fluted bezel example in great condition with an Omega brick bracelet and a recent service. Which still wouldn’t be a bargain (but an acceptable price).
 
Posts
613
Likes
10,918
Thanks everyone. I’ll take a pass on this one. JWRosenthal, really appreciate you blowing up the photo. Would never have seen the worn through plating otherwise.

I’m now kind of hooked on the idea of a gold plated C case, but will keep my eyes open for a better example - or at least a similar one for much less.

Have a great day all
 
Posts
323
Likes
445
Crown looks incorrect - and possibly wrong second hand, I believe the correct one should reach the inner edge of the minute marker tracks. You're right to check on these C case models - there are many imperfect ones out there, so take your time and find the right one thats in good condition and the right price.
 
Posts
613
Likes
10,918
Thank you DanT, and hi again all,

Wanted to see if there any other opinions on the correctness of the crown on the pictured example? No longer considering that particular watch, but seeing the same crown on 10-15% of the steel and gold capped examples for sale on Chrono24. Most examples have a crown with more/finer teeth, that is slightly taller. I'm assuming that more common crown is the correct one, but is crown on the pictured example also correct for some year range or reference? Is it a common service crown? Just another random Omega crown that happens to fit?

Thanks again!
 
Posts
4,550
Likes
11,579
MtV MtV
And if you’re paying 1400$ for one, that’s the money for a linen dial, 18k fluted bezel example in great condition with an Omega brick bracelet and a recent service. Which still wouldn’t be a bargain (but an acceptable price).

No doubt the OP watch is way overpriced, but I think you're making a bit of an exaggeration. If not, please point me in the direction of such a place that I can buy that nice of an example for the price today.
 
Posts
16,230
Likes
44,673
No doubt the OP watch is way overpriced, but I think you're making a bit of an exaggeration. If not, please point me in the direction of such a place that I can buy that nice of an example for the price today.
I think the days of flawless $1k full kit C-cased Connie’s are now past us. It’s truly getting harder to find ones that don’t have dial damage, aren’t polished to a lozenge and have their bracelet. Like all vintage, we may need to re-examine what good ones are actually selling for.
It’s easy for those of us who have collected for a while and already have the watches that others desire to talk about how “easy” it is to find a great deal on XYZ watch, but when was the last time we actually hunted for one.
 
Posts
4,550
Likes
11,579
It’s easy for those of us who have collected for a while and already have the watches that others desire to talk about how “easy” it is to find a great deal on XYZ watch, but when was the last time we actually hunted for one.

My thoughts exactly.
 
Posts
323
Likes
445
Thank you DanT, and hi again all,

Wanted to see if there any other opinions on the correctness of the crown on the pictured example? No longer considering that particular watch, but seeing the same crown on 10-15% of the steel and gold capped examples for sale on Chrono24. Most examples have a crown with more/finer teeth, that is slightly taller. I'm assuming that more common crown is the correct one, but is crown on the pictured example also correct for some year range or reference? Is it a common service crown? Just another random Omega crown that happens to fit?

Thanks again!

I think the crown on the original picture is incorrect. Its similar to this one


The correct one I believe should look like this:


it has many more (20+ , I lost count) and much sharper teeth
 
Posts
4,550
Likes
11,579
MtV MtV
And if you’re paying 1400$ for one, that’s the money for a linen dial, 18k fluted bezel example in great condition with an Omega brick bracelet and a recent service. Which still wouldn’t be a bargain (but an acceptable price).

I found the watch fitting that description. I think it is worth more that $1400, but their asking price is ludicrous.

 
Posts
3,181
Likes
12,506
No doubt the OP watch is way overpriced, but I think you're making a bit of an exaggeration. If not, please point me in the direction of such a place that I can buy that nice of an example for the price today.

My apologies if my comment triggered frustration, but even though that wasn’t my intention I stand behind it in so far as I don’t consider it an exaggeration. I didn’t mean that this is a price you can pick these up for any day of the week, but if I may just point you to two examples that were sold here very recently:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-constellation-c-case-ref-168-029-serviced-1-300.124274/

Serviced, WG bezel, brick bracelet, 1300$.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/fs-...rick-bracelet-nickel-grey-dial168-029.121876/

WG bezel, brick bracelet, equivalent of ~1000USD. Leaves 400$ for a service, which should be realistic.

Both examples aren’t perfect, but I like their condition and would absolutely wear them. Note that both have the grey dial, which personally I’d consider as more sought after than a regular white one.

These C Connies are beautiful pieces and I’m happy to have one in my collection, but they were produced in considerable numbers, so nice deals can be found with some patience. I’d say this is the right place for it. 😀

And if I may, a third example - this is mine. Also certainly not NOS, but I’d argue it’s in good nick, has a linen dial as a nice bonus and cost me ~1100$ serviced. Bought from a friendly member here.

Edited: