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C Case Constellation buyers guide/reference article

SeaMSTR
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Good evening all,

I am slowly but surely researching C case constellations, as I would like to buy myself a 168.017/168.029 (or similar). I would also like to buy my ‘better half’ a Ladies 568.001/568.011.

I remember seeing in another thread on here about constellations, someone posted an informative link / guide about C case Connie’s, which listed the variations. Does anyone happen to know the web link I’m talking about?

As always, thanks for any help offered 😀
 
loveslemon71
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Hello - I just bought a 568.001, and paid $1100 for it. I have a feeling that’s a bit high, but the watch was listed by a reliable dealer on Chrono24 as New Old Stock. I’m waiting for it to be delivered (from Europe to the US), and am happy to update once I receive it!
 
SeaMSTR
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loveslemon71 loveslemon71
Hello - I just bought a 568.001, and paid $1100 for it. I have a feeling that’s a bit high, but the watch was listed by a reliable dealer on Chrono24 as New Old Stock. I’m waiting for it to be delivered (from Europe to the US), and am happy to update once I receive it!
I would love to find out/hear/see some more photos of it once you receive it!

Thanks for the reply! All the best, Paul.
 
connieseamaster
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IMG_20210805_112240859.jpg


My 568.0011 from 1969 that I'm wearing today. WG coin edge bezel on a stainless case and Omega NOS L crystal (date magnifier was an option you could ask for at the store back then and they'd switch it out for you).
Edited:
 
connieseamaster
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SeaMSTR SeaMSTR
Out of interest, how do ladies C case constellations Compare in availability/desirability and price, compared to the gents equivalent?

The ladies models will be less expensive but also harder to find than the men's models. Ladies models have been tracking in the $400-$800 range for the past couple of years, depending on case material and whether it's on a bracelet.
 
SeaMSTR
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Popped into the Omega Boutique in London, had a flick through a Journey Through Time, and did some research ;-)..then down to the vintage boutique in the Burlington Arcade..lovely watch, not paying £2900 for it though..
023A35F6-9889-481A-BCD4-8A8F185DB8A2.jpeg 2BCB13E1-8828-4968-B743-1C878F204AA0.jpeg 10551B49-70CE-42B3-8C20-96CAD4CE7C9E.jpeg 42A0C26B-511A-4D07-86BD-0350F0EB7282.jpeg E124D1FA-0137-44C3-AC9B-6D2A73C2EF4D.jpeg 6BD22995-FD38-4154-9B51-346BF5A54E10.jpeg
 
connieseamaster
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Screenshot_20210805-141311.png


Shot from the Chrono24 listing for posterity.

The hands appear to be too short compared to the reference images from AJTT. Neither the minute or seconds hand reach the minute track.

@SeaMSTR some patience and leg work should net you a good example of that watch for half the price.
 
loveslemon71
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Oh dear. I was worried about those hands, and even asked the dealer about them. I also showed the listing to a Constellation expert, who said the watch was “true NOS” and “special.” Well, I still think she’s beautiful, even if there’s a little plastic surgery there … .
 
Archer
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loveslemon71 loveslemon71
Oh dear. I was worried about those hands, and even asked the dealer about them. I also showed the listing to a Constellation expert, who said the watch was “true NOS” and “special.” Well, I still think she’s beautiful, even if there’s a little plastic surgery there … .

Not sure who the expert was, but I can confirm those are certainly not the right hands. They should be stick hands with black paint on them, much narrower and longer than what is on there now.

Looks like part number 065TX1069 are the correct hour and minute hands.
 
SeaMSTR
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connieseamaster connieseamaster
The ladies models will be less expensive but also harder to find than the men's models. Ladies models have been tracking in the $400-$800 range for the past couple of years, depending on case material and whether it's on a bracelet.
Thanks for the info! Lovely watch!
 
SeaMSTR
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Archer Archer
Not sure who the expert was, but I can confirm those are certainly not the right hands. They should be stick hands with black paint on them, much narrower and longer than what is on there now.

Looks like part number 065TX1069 are the correct hour and minute hands.
I saw that watch on Chrono. The hands are too short in my novice opinion, plus they have lume, and the dial markers do not. As a general rule, both the markers and hands should have lume, or vice versa. Also the ‘Swiss made’ Would usually have a ‘T’ either side, which would indicate tritium lume (this is purely from what I have learned on here). It is a lovely looking watch though!
 
loveslemon71
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Classic novice blunder, I guess. To be fair, the expert said it was the pristine finish on the case that was special—he didn’t mention the hands. So now my problem is: do I return it or not? I was so thrilled at the idea of having a perfect little artifact from 1971, as my first good watch. Bitter tears…
 
gur8sing
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loveslemon71 loveslemon71
Classic novice blunder, I guess. To be fair, the expert said it was the pristine finish on the case that was special—he didn’t mention the hands. So now my problem is: do I return it or not? I was so thrilled at the idea of having a perfect little artifact from 1971, as my first good watch. Bitter tears…

If I were you, I would see if you can cancel the sale. You can get a lovely original piece for what you paid if you're patient.
 
connieseamaster
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loveslemon71 loveslemon71
Classic novice blunder, I guess. To be fair, the expert said it was the pristine finish on the case that was special—he didn’t mention the hands. So now my problem is: do I return it or not? I was so thrilled at the idea of having a perfect little artifact from 1971, as my first good watch. Bitter tears…

Cancel it. Chrono24 makes it easy to do so and you'll be able to find something for half of what you paid with a bit of patience and research.
 
loveslemon71
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PS. Hello again - any recommendations from this amazingly knowledgeable group on where to look for a Constellation (women or men’s) from c 1950-1970? I was checking Chrono24, a dealer called “Connoisseur of Time,” and the Reddit watch exchange. But the watch exchange was kind of all over the place, with lots of newish men’s watches, and Connoisseur of Time seems to restore the heck out of watches… I’m in NYC, btw, and beginning to think it might be best to stick to US dealers, just to avoid customs etc? Any advice much appreciated!
 
connieseamaster
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Keep an eye on the For Sale forums here. You're below the post requirement to post a WTB thread, but that doesn't preclude you from messaging sellers when they have something up that is of interest to you.

Read some of the pinned threads here "Learning How to Fish" and also the articles on Constellation Collectors Blog: https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

After you feel like you have a good idea of what you should be looking for, you're probably ready to start trawling eBay and watchrecon for possibilities, and feel free to post a thread with pictures to get advice from the extremely knowledgeable members here.
 
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