Confirming new (to me) Constellation 168.004 details

Brackens77 · Wed. 5:38am

Hi,

I recently found my late fathers old watch that I believe he purchased for his 21st back in the 60's. He apparently wore it almost every day for decades though in the past 10 or so years I recall him wearing a quartz Tissot not this - so it's unlikely to have been worn for a decade or more and won't have been serviced in that time.

However, as soon as I pick it up and move it (even gently) it starts to tick away nicely and keeps good time (have not measured accurately) so the rotor and movement must still be moving fairly freely.

Anyway, I have done some research and believe it to be the Ref 168.004 hidden crown, date, dome dial (Swiss Made T) - from around the mid sixties but would appreciate any further information. I have not opened the back yet as I don't have the right tool nor do I wish to cause any issues.

Also, what would the original strap have been for this reference? It's now on an after market brown leather - unfortunately not an Omega buckle

SOG53 · Wed. 7:52am

Nice watch. Measure lug width should be 18 mm for 168.004.
If it is 19 mm then it’s 168.010. It’s cousin.
Either are outstanding watches.
@Peemacgee is our resident guru on these he can tell you more.
Leather is fine option
Can also find BOR with flat endlinks or mesh also nice.

Edit. With gold leather is best I think

Dan S · Wed. 8:04am

Looks like a very nice watch and heirloom. Unpadded leather or croc/lizard straps were common at the time, you can see images by googling period advertising.

Peemacgee · Wed. 8:54am

welcome @Brackens77, it really is a lovely heirloom you have there.

@SOG53 is too kind - more of an 'interested party' than a guru of any type.

You have pretty much nailed everything about your watch.
I also think it is a 168.004.
This reference was first released in 1962 and ran up to around '67.
Yours will be post-'63 as it carries the T for tritium on the dial.
Most likely to have a cal 561 movt but a late outlier would have a cal 564 - it's easy to tell, if you pull the crown out and wind through midnight, back to 9 and then through midnight, the date will change if a 561.
The 564 will have a quickset date change. (which you should use with the hands set to 6.30)

The lugs still have their bevels and the medallion is excellent.
Original 'slim' hidden crown is a bonus.
The dial has some foxing - probably caused by not having an Omega crystal fitted last time it was serviced. (the crystal is part of the waterproofing system.)
If you are going to wear the watch regularly it would be best to get it serviced. (by an independent specialising in vintage Omegas)
Just request; no polishing of the case and don't try to clean the dial at all - it would only end badly.

I agree with @Dan S about the strap, try a simple black or brown unpadded strap, or at most you could try a lizard effect, which looks good on these Constellations.

If you want to know more about Constellations generally, you can try Desmond's site - but there isn't a lot about 168.004s for some reason.
https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

hope that helps.

Brackens77 · Wed. 9:27am

Peemacgee
welcome @Brackens77, it really is a lovely heirloom you have there.

@SOG53 is too kind - more of an 'interested party' than a guru of any type.

You have pretty much nailed everything about your watch.
I also think it is a 168.004.
This reference was first released in 1962 and ran up to around '67.
Yours will be post-'63 as it carries the T for tritium on the dial.
Most likely to have a cal 561 movt but a late outlier would have a cal 564 - it's easy to tell, if you pull the crown out and wind through midnight, back to 9 and then through midnight, the date will change if a 561.
The 564 will have a quickset date change. (which you should use with the hands set to 6.30)

The lugs still have their bevels and the medallion is excellent.
Original 'slim' hidden crown is a bonus.
The dial has some foxing - probably caused by not having an Omega crystal fitted last time it was serviced. (the crystal is part of the waterproofing system.)
If you are going to wear the watch regularly it would be best to get it serviced. (by an independent specialising in vintage Omegas)
Just request; no polishing of the case and don't try to clean the dial at all - it would only end badly.

I agree with @Dan S about the strap, try a simple black or brown unpadded strap, or at most you could try a lizard effect, which looks good on these Constellations.

If you want to know more about Constellations generally, you can try Desmond's site - but there isn't a lot about 168.004s for some reason.
https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

hope that helps.

Many thanks,

I was 99.9% certain this wasnt an Omega crystal as it had no Omega stamp at the center which I have seen in original pics.

It was also VERY scratched up when I found it in the drawer (not protected at all) so I did mask up the case and gently polished out the worst of the scratches - with the knowledge that messing it up wasn't the end of the world (it made a huge difference)

I've learned a new term 'foxing' now - so thanks for that 😀

Here is the 'before' and 'after' of the crystal.

I will look into an independent servicing (I am UK based) as I certainly want this to keep ticking for another 60+ years 😀

Peemacgee · Wed. 9:54am

Most of us send our watches to a trusted watchmaker.
You could try Mitka @Mitka (south coast somewhere I think) or Christian - Watchguy (Gloucester IIRC) both members here and both recommended watchmakers.
I've used them both for my Constellations and they are both very good.

Brackens77 · Wed. 10:00am

Fantastic - I had already sent a request to 'Watchguy' before I read your response - glad he is recommended 😀

HorsinTime · Wed. 9:14pm

Nice watch and all, but now for the real question: What happened to the quartz Tissot? 😜

Brackens77 · Thurs. 8:13am

HorsinTime
Nice watch and all, but now for the real question: What happened to the quartz Tissot? 😜

Lol - it's still ticking - although not well - I am sure a battery change is required as it only ticks every 3 seconds or so (though keeps time - perhaps an evergy saving feature).

It's a 2-tone PR50 (I think) - not my style but I'll get it sorted 😀

Confirming new (to me) Constellation 168.004 details

Brackens77

SOG53

Dan S

Peemacgee

Brackens77

Peemacgee

Brackens77

HorsinTime

Brackens77

Similar threads

New (to me) Constellation 14381/2 in Rose Gold

New to me, 1998 Seamaster 2561.80

New (to me) 167.005 Omega Constellation

New to me constellation 168.015

New (to me) Ed White 321- the “Retirement Watch”

My new to me 1949 jumbo bumper auto