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Authentic Constellation Pie-Pan, Fake or Frankenstein watch?

PUGH14
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Hi guys!

After a long time searching for a 60´s Pie-Pan model, it looks like I've found a piece which is very interesting but some doubts about its authenticity arise to me before the final purchase and it will be my firs Omega.
The features of the model are the next:
- caliber number 564
- serial number 25718200
- ref. 168.005
- 3.4 centimetres diameter (not including the crown)
- 0.5 cm thick
- 35 grams (weighs)

My research and learning on this forum has allow me to do some verifications (within my possibilities as a beginner):
- Not original leather strap (very obvious)
- The serial number matches with the dial period (but the number corresponds to the year 1967 and looks like the model 168.005 could be manufactured in 1962)
- MOY test looks ok and hands too (not sure about the `second hand´)
- Swiss Made at the bottom of the dial looks delete.
- The date window is not actually rectangle, rather having edges, which is also ok.
- The finish of the back makes me doubt
- The shape of the lugs and the case looks fit with the model.

I attached pictures below:
1.1.jpg 1.4.jpg 1.6.jpg 1.3.jpg 1.2.jpg


What do you think guys, should I go for this one or skip it?

Many thanks for your help!
 
Passover
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Hi and welcome here!

👍 for your efforts to evaluate the watch yourself, doing so will make you find a nice watch!

1967 is correct for a 168.005, production start was in 1962 (?)

Do you a favour and forget about the OP one at once!

The dial is totally gone, the laquer layer is destroyed, half of the minute track is gone, Swiss made...
, its dirty and you won't have any pleasure wearing this one

Plus: Movement is dirty, at least the second hand is wrong and the bezel looks off!

Good luck!
 
onlyomega94
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Hi and welcome - and nice research. I would agree with Passover and say that you should stay away from this. The dial is a mess and the movement looks very dirty. There are much better ones out there at fair prices too. I would only personally buy this if I had a movement and dial and needed a donor case.
 
PUGH14
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Passover Passover
Hi and welcome here!

👍 for your efforts to evaluate the watch yourself, doing so will make you find a nice watch!

1967 is correct for a 168.005, production start was in 1962 (?)

Do you a favour and forget about the OP one at once!

The dial is totally gone, the laquer layer is destroyed, half of the minute track is gone, Swiss made...
, its dirty and you won't have any pleasure wearing this one

Plus: Movement is dirty, at least the second hand is wrong and the bezel looks off!

Good luck!

Thank you very much for your reply. I am happy to start as a member of this forum with such a good welcome.
Regarding the price of the watch, it is 450€ and the seller is a trustable antique shop. Do you think that this is not worth it even if I carry out a professional service to clean the movement?

Appreciate your help.
 
Passover
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PUGH14 PUGH14
Thank you very much for your reply. I am happy to start as a member of this forum with such a good welcome.
Regarding the price of the watch, it is 450€ and the seller is a trustable antique shop. Do you think that this is not worth it even if I carry out a professional service to clean the movement?

Appreciate your help.

IMO for 450€ it would be better to buy a very good Seamster than a bad Constellation 😉
 
janice&fred
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Passover Passover
IMO for 450€ it would be better to buy a very good Seamster than a bad Constellation 😉

Yep I agree. If that piepan could be bought for $200 I would snap on it but anything more will just turn into a money pit. That thing needs a complete movement service like yesterday and when it's done you still have a lousy dial.
 
onlyomega94
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PUGH14 PUGH14
Thank you very much for your reply. I am happy to start as a member of this forum with such a good welcome.
Regarding the price of the watch, it is 450€ and the seller is a trustable antique shop. Do you think that this is not worth it even if I carry out a professional service to clean the movement?

Appreciate your help.
To be honest I don’t think so. Add 200 euro for a service (maybe more if parts are to be replaced) and the same for a new dial and you are at a number that could get you a nice piece without the hassle.

I started out not so long ago and one of the best pieces of advice I got was to not jump the gun on anything because one just can’t wait to get those first starting pieces. As you start to learn more you will start to notice more flaws in a mediocre watch and they will annoy you to a point where you have to sell at a loss. Better to save up a bit more money and buy a better watch. And as the guys here say: if you are on a budget, maybe a nice vintage seamaster is a better way to go. 450 euro could get you that.
 
Masterofkarate
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Cant see a photo of the case back, so if you have it please share. I would say 400-450 is a good price for a constellation with a pie pan dial. A one with a nice looking dial would catch almost three times that amount.
The example you considering looks to be sharp and maybe even unpolished. Yes it would be nice to have one with a clean dial but then again, don't see you finding one for under 1000 Euro. And even in that price range there are always something. Maybe incorrect crown. Over polished etc.
As your first omega this one looks like a good ticket. But know that once your on the omega/vintage watch ride, you will most likely look for something better😉
 
PUGH14
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Passover Passover
IMO for 450€ it would be better to buy a very good Seamster than a bad Constellation 😉
Many thanks for your comments Passover!
 
PUGH14
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Masterofkarate Masterofkarate
Cant see a photo of the case back, so if you have it please share. I would say 400-450 is a good price for a constellation with a pie pan dial. A one with a nice looking dial would catch almost three times that amount.
The example you considering looks to be sharp and maybe even unpolished. Yes it would be nice to have one with a clean dial but then again, don't see you finding one for under 1000 Euro. And even in that price range there are always something. Maybe incorrect crown. Over polished etc.
As your first omega this one looks like a good ticket. But know that once your on the omega/vintage watch ride, you will most likely look for something better😉

Hi Masterofkarate! Thanks also to you for your opinion about the price of the piece. As per your require, please, find attached below the pictures of the back and the detail of the crown.
1.7.jpg 1.8.jpg


Thanks!
 
janice&fred
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Masterofkarate Masterofkarate
I would say 400-450 is a good price for a constellation with a pie pan dial.

But it doesn't really have a pie pan dial. It has a horribly damaged dial with half the minute track missing. That dial is only worth using as a blank.
 
janice&fred
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MtnMarine MtnMarine
I would pass on this. I agree with Janice&fred, the dial is horrible.

And this is coming from me, the guy that likes patina so you know it's gotta be pretty bad 😁
 
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