Buying Help Constellation pie pan

Milo0904 · Fri. 6:22pm

I found another contender. Constellation 505 movement arrowhead for sale for $1250.
I’m new to watches, can anyone help take a look at the photos and let me know if everything looks good and if the price is right. Also any questions I should ask. Thanks

Milo0904 · Fri. 9:26pm

dsio · Sat. 7:30am

It looks quite rough, the case despite being gold-capped which is decently thick looks like its worn down to the steel underneath on the lugs which is a rare amount of heavy handed polishing.

Milo0904 · Sat. 9:08am

dsio
It looks quite rough, the case despite being gold-capped which is decently thick looks like its worn down to the steel underneath on the lugs which is a rare amount of heavy handed polishing.

Is it worth replacing some parts, restoring and servicing? Or should I just pass and continue searching

Dan S · Sat. 9:19am

Looks fine to me. I'm not seeing the particularly bad wear / polishing that @dsio mentioned. But maybe that is because I am seeing reflections where he is seeing wear, so perhaps better photos are needed.

Milo0904 · Sat. 9:26am

Dan S
Looks fine to me. I'm not seeing the particularly bad wear / polishing that @dsio mentioned. But maybe that is because I am seeing reflections where he is seeing wear, so perhaps better photos are needed.

I will ask for more photos. If it is not heavily polished is it worth pulling the trigger?

Dan S · Sat. 9:32am

We can tell you about the condition. You need to decide whether you want to buy it.

To be clear, the concern that @dsio raised is he feels the gold cap is worn through to the underlying steel on the lugs. I'm not seeing that, but that is the question.

Milo0904 · Sat. 9:59am

Dan S
We can tell you about the condition. You need to decide whether you want to buy it.

To be clear, the concern that @dsio raised is he feels the gold cap is worn through to the underlying steel on the lugs. I'm not seeing that, but that is the question.

“It looks good. No major wear. The band is worn but I can still wear it. I have one offer and countered at $1250. Good luck”
This is what the seller said when I asked about the gold being worn through.

amikoyan · Sat. 10:08am

Milo0904
“It looks good. No major wear. The band is worn but I can still wear it. I have one offer and countered at $1250. Good luck”
This is what the seller said when I asked about the gold being worn through.

Has the seller sent you better photos of the lugs / area that might be worn?

Milo0904 · Sat. 10:20am

amikoyan
Has the seller sent you better photos of the lugs / area that might be worn?

Here they are
@Dan S @dsio

Milo0904 · Sat. 10:21am

“I don’t polish the watches. Nothing has been used on this piece by me to make it look better. It was in a shoebox when I got it.”
This is what the seller said

Dan S · Sat. 10:36am

The lugs have certainly been substantially polished at some point in the past (i.e. they are not terribly sharp), and the photos are not very good. That said, I'm not seeing major damage or wear-through. It's just sort of mediocre, not super-sharp but not terrible. The case-back is pretty good, IMO.

The crown is ruined, obviously.

The dial is a little tired, but not too bad. I'd bet it will look pretty good on the wrist.

Milo0904 · Sat. 11:30am

Dan S
The lugs have certainly been substantially polished at some point in the past (i.e. they are not terribly sharp), and the photos are not very good. That said, I'm not seeing major damage or wear-through. It's just sort of mediocre, not super-sharp but not terrible. The case-back is pretty good, IMO.

The crown is ruined, obviously.

The dial is a little tired, but not too bad. I'd bet it will look pretty good on the wrist.

Thank you. Last question. I’m not sure how much things cost but would I be over paying at $1250 considering the crown needs to be replaced and the watch needs to be serviced?

Mensur · Sat. 12:05pm

I'm wont claim I'm an expert at all, but it might help if I tell you what I see, and give my 2 cents based on that.

First, there is nothing about it that looks out of place. So no obvious swapped parts, redial, etc. Which is nice, at least the watch looks like an original Omega.
Second, as dsio pointed out, the watch is in a rough state. There is a bunch of wear and tear, the crown has been worn down, the crystal is cracked and I think the rotor is (or has) been rubbing against the case back. The gold plating isn't sharp, but I can't see any wear-through. But, as Dan S, points out, it is hard to tell with the quality of the pictures.

Is the price fair? As far as I know, you'll have a hard to find constellation of this type that will be cheaper. Pie Pans are the more popular constellation models, and will be more expensive. The service and repair will also add to the total cost. From what I gather, at 1250 you might find other examples in roughly the same condition. For a watch in better condition, you should expect to be pay for it.

Is it worth it? Perhaps... You'd own a cool example of an Omega Constellation without paying premium, even if the condition isn't great. The problem is that there is always 'the next watch', another watch that will be in better condition, has a better price, or both! With a little luck and some patience you might find a better example. Personally I would pass, save some more, and look for a watch in better condition.

dsio · Sat. 4:35pm

Dan S
The lugs have certainly been substantially polished at some point in the past (i.e. they are not terribly sharp), and the photos are not very good. That said, I'm not seeing major damage or wear-through. It's just sort of mediocre, not super-sharp but not terrible. The case-back is pretty good, IMO.

The crown is ruined, obviously.

The dial is a little tired, but not too bad. I'd bet it will look pretty good on the wrist.

Yea the additional photos look like it’s just soft but not worn through, still quite heavily polished though.

SOG53 · Sat. 7:49pm

I think this is very attractive early Constellation. The dial is quite good with arrowhead markers with very little patina visible. Often these have quite extensive spotting which don’t see here. Correct hands. Movement is correct and looks clean. Everything looks correct and original.
IMO case shows more wear than polishing. Bezel has some definition, lugs show wear and caseback is ok. Crown is probably worn original
Hard to find really crisp case on these. I think it’s worth 1250 if you like the arrowhead dial. Which I do.

Milo0904 · Sat. 10:07pm

SOG53
I think this is very attractive early Constellation. The dial is quite good with arrowhead markers with very little patina visible. Often these have quite extensive spotting which don’t see here. Correct hands. Movement is correct and looks clean. Everything looks correct and original.
IMO case shows more wear than polishing. Bezel has some definition, lugs show wear and caseback is ok. Crown is probably worn original
Hard to find really crisp case on these. I think it’s worth 1250 if you like the arrowhead dial. Which I do.

I love arrowhead and I moved forward with the purchase. Does anyone have recommendations on how to replace the crystal and crown? Also any strap recommendations?

Milo0904 · Sat. 10:08pm

Milo0904
I love arrowhead and I moved forward with the purchase. Does anyone have recommendations on how to replace the crystal and crown? Also any strap recommendations?

What is the best way to bring this watch back to life without compromising its integrity?

SOG53 · Sat. 10:30pm

Have it serviced by independent watchmaker who works on vintage, don’t send to Omega they will replace everything and ruin the vintage integrity.
They will replace crystal if needed, no need to rush with the crown they can replace with service crown, but I would just take your time and look for a good replacement. The one you have is worn original I think.
Update with photos and congrats enjoy your watch.
My earlier 2652 cousin says hi. See the spotting which I believe you do not have on one you are buying. And the service crown I haven’t replaced

Buying Help Constellation pie pan

Milo0904

Milo0904

dsio

Milo0904

Dan S

Milo0904

Dan S

Milo0904

amikoyan

Milo0904

Milo0904

Dan S

Milo0904

Mensur

dsio

SOG53

Milo0904

Milo0904

SOG53

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