Dear all

I just landed this Constellation yesterday from an English auction house
-a little bit of a gamble because of the poor pics available (but that's part of the fun)

cross hair dome dial
fonts look good (from what I can see)
silver indices which look inlaid but can't be sure -as do the hands
original crown
replacement bracelet but that will go in a drawer

crappy pictures (even worse ones when I asked for additional photos) and minimal information but I just couldn't resist as it looked 'right'

My question is about the case style:
I'm not totally familiar with pre-dog leg cases -I've read and re-read Desmond's section on case types and this seems very similar to a number of styles including:
2853
2943
14393

the text on the dial would lead me to believe that it is most likely the 14393 -and so possibly a cal 551?
but I guess could be 503, 505 or 562?

(can you tell I'm well out of my comfort zone here.....?)

The watch will go directly for a service so I won't get to see the insides anytime soon

Therefore all speculation and advice welcomed

crappy picture.......but the only one worth showing I'm afraid

 

Could also be a 14381. As you say with the two liner text my money's on a 551
Case looks in very good shape, so I'll guess the dial too although difficult to make a call from the picture

 

14381 with 551 caliber. Only the 14381 (all) and the 14900 (some) correctly have the 2 lines under Omega.

 

thanks Cristos and TNT

I'll look up the 14381

there was relatively little interest at auction -possibly due to the poor images -but that did mean that I got it at a very competitive price
-so if it turns out to be okay I'll be very happy

 

Found this little fella on the 'Bay
a bit tired but very similar with the cross hair dome dial -although gold indices
14381 as you all say - cal 551

BTW would my SS version have white gold indices or SS ones to match the case?
I can't be quite sure but they look like inserts rather than painted black stripes

pic:

 

Not SS since I've seen them all hold up very well over time, even when the dial is gutted, but not sure if they're gold/rhodium/something plated or solid gold though.

I like the 14381 for it's nice shape, but it will wear smaller than the 168.010 you've got.

 

Ha! ha! -that's okay -I have girly wrists (apologies to the lady members of the forum)
the 168.010 definitely has a bigger presence than my 168.005 but the dog leg still looks good so I should get away with the 14381

It is a really nicely shaped case -I wasn't looking for this style in particular but I was quite smitten when I saw it up for auction
(I really can't understand why there wasn't more competition for it -the hammer price was around £100 less than I was expecting to pay for a Connie in good nick at a UK auction -just one of those things I guess and my good fortune -I hope)

Someone posted the other day about advice on a vintage dress watch -they could certainly do worse than one of these

Very excited to get the new watch here now -but unfortunately that will likely be a few weeks away after being sent off for service in the UK and then sent on here to Dubai

 

I think everyone in the UK is now on the hunt for a Speedy and ignoring these Connies

BTW, this one is even smaller than the dog-leg, but I like its shape more.

 

Thread revive: So 14900s are two line text mostly and contain the 551. The bezel on the 14381 has a pointed facet around the face, the 14900 does not? Desmond's blog has a great pdf of spotting fake 14900 cases but still having trouble.

EDIT: Answered my own questions. So much knowledge and expertise in the archives of this forum. Thanks to all.

 

Sorry forgot to post pics when I got the 14381
Gratuitous (girly) wrist shot with a couple of friends
It does wear smaller but I love it

 

Nice family. Love the crosshair dials

 

thanks!
my second cross hair is at the 'spa'
probably won't see it until I'm back in blighty at Christmas...



better pic of the 14381 post service

 

I just wrote that I'm done hunting for a while but seeing your hidden crown and dome 14381 makes me feel like . . .

 

Now it's time for a pie pan, I guess.

 

Definitely on my list

I'm planning on easing myself in gently
I have my yes on a 'semi-pie-pan"
(and no - I don't want to start that debate all over again...)