Can anyone offer help with this watch please

Now here is a thing of interest on a website called
http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/?m=0

A Japanese/Eastern model with the same font as my Omega. So is this a Far East spec thing?

I have found something similar on another website http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/?m=0 which seems to show a similar font on a Japanese market model... my watch would likely have been bought in Singapore or Malaya. So I am not sure if this is typical of some Easter spec watches?

Well I am not sure the Philippines would be considered "eastern spec" since it's the south pacific but all the vintage Swiss stuff I ever encountered there, that is the stuff that was originally bought in the Philippines, was the same as what was available in the North American market. The only exception that comes to mind is the Japanese vs North American market versions of vintage Seiko divers, which was a mixture of both.

Could this be the same model... I seem to have gained more questions than answers ... such is the joy I guess.

https://rmgallagher.co/products/1958-omega-constellation-cal-504-2?variant=12482843148385

This example states it is a 1957 version, which seems to have an identical bracelet to mine, but has the word ‘calendar’ on the dial, and the more typical ‘Constellation’ font.

https://watchcharts.com/listing/216...tion-calendar-2943-1sc-chronometer-beads-rice

Indeed, and two identical examples of that ‘Constellation’ font type on different watches.

I must say when the font type was pointed out, I thought something would be far wrong here. However it seems like a recognisable thing. But how strange compared to the usual font.

I can’t believe I had never noticed that before. Some eagle eyes on this forum! Great stuff. I’ve gone from knowing zero about this watch to loads in days.

Another thing pointed out by a friend of mine is the crown. Apparently it is seen on the Seamaster, but some made their way into Constellations straight from the factory in 1958.

Also I have read that the word ‘Calendar’ appears less often on 2943 models where the spelling of chronometer changed from ‘-metre’ to ‘-meter’.

In addition, I have read that black dial models were usually special order ones. The word ‘calendar’ apparently appears even less often on black dial models.

The gold hands appear to have the mark where the radium has faded. Again other similar watches have the same hands. The gold on mine has a heavy patina, so I suspect they are original.

Everything I have read suggests that the watch is from 1958. However the BOR bracelet with the over reaching Omega sign seems to be that of perhaps 1957? I’m totally unclear on that.

The cyclops lens too is unusual. It looks like an original to my non expert eye.

Would all these factors suggest a watch made to order based The cyclops lens, black dial and BOR ?

If this lens was a ‘redialled’ watch then how would I tell? It certainly matches the identity of the other black dial model I have found. In addition, there are one or two points on the black finish we’re a gold colour is showing through, perhaps a patina showing its age. Would a redialled or refurbished model show this too?

the font used in the word Constellation remains a strange feature, but again is respirated on other watches. Has anyone else come across this before?

Thank you all again.

This is classic Omega.
Crossed Ts only appear on XXXX references and with ‘chronometre’, that is until they appear on a later reference - with a particular font and ‘chronometer’

There are variations of the earlier crossed T fonts.
Especially the connections to the n.
Desmond shows the ‘full n’ version with looped connections to the n but this also occurs with the sharp connection as per the other types Desmond shows.
(@MikeMan2727 had one like this)
None have the high-connection’ to the top of the i that @MtV pointed out.

but to have the two black dials and the linen dial jumbo that Desmond shows, all with the high-connection i and chronometer, this makes a genuine type IMHO.

One oddity with the RM Gallagher watch - it has a brickwork observatory.
If this is a genuine medallion, it predates the ‘change’ by about 7 years.

Is that not lume down the centre of the RM Gallagher indices?

I would say definitely no lume on the OPs watch other than the hands.
However, I don’t know enough about earlier Connie dials to say it didn’t originally have lume as @gatorcpa suggests.
On the other hand - special order dial, special order crystal, who’s to say the original owner didn’t order special hands?
- or simply had them changed at a later date.

Zero lume on the markets... just three smooth surfaces.

I assume it was radium down the markers. I just assumed they were decorative grooved in the hands, but someone else suggested it would have been radium at one point.

I don’t see my late Grandfather being someone to change something once it was bought. Perhaps I’m wrong.

I can see someone asking for luminous hands. I am well known to my watchmaker for wanting functional lume. 😁

It's possible the watchmaker found a reason to change the hands unrelated to anything yourr grandfather might have asked for, too.

So, to summarise, is the general consensus that this watch is largely an original and genuine one?

the watch runs for a few seconds to a minute when moved, then the minute and second hand seem to come to rest, together, at the 7 o clock position.

I once had an estimate from an Omega dealer to have the watch overhauled. It was steep (around £750), and no guarantee of getting the plexiglass.

then someone suggested that what Omega would do would detract from the value and originality of the watch. I did not understand how or why. Perhaps someone can shed light on this.

Then when I initially learned here that the watch may not be original or legitimate, all thoughts of spending any money on it faded.

Now, if it is original then I do t mind spending a bit to get the watch working fully.

However I am naive as to what purists think should be done to such watches, and what should not be done. I had no idea that patina was held in such regard.

Can you help give some initial advice? I know there will be forums upon forums on this subject else where. However a few pointers to a beginner would be appreciated, then I can take the research a little forward from there.

Thanks again everyone.

I think that the watch and bracelet with it´s high glossy gilt dial is stunning. Just get it serviced by a watchmaker familiar to vintage watches, and also replace the crystal. I reckon that you are going to use it and not selling it and I asses the watch as all genuine.
I say it again - the dial is stunning in my opinion 😀