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Confirming new (to me) Constellation 168.004 details

B
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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

IMG_0427.webp IMG_0428.webp IMG_0429.webp IMG_0431.webp
 
SOG53
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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
Edited:
 
Dan S
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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
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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.
 
B
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Peemacgee 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 😀

IMG_0145.webp IMG_0172.webp
 
Peemacgee
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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.
 
B
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Fantastic - I had already sent a request to 'Watchguy' before I read your response - glad he is recommended 😀
 
HorsinTime
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Nice watch and all, but now for the real question: What happened to the quartz Tissot? 😜
 
B
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HorsinTime 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 😀
 
B
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Just wanted to give a quick update and say thanks to the community for their help.

I ended up getting it services by 'watchguy' which was a great customer experience - good communication, great to see the progress pictures (https://watchguy.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=8270) quick turnaround etc - definitely recommend.

I also got a new strap - a red-brown 'alligator' Hirsch strap that I think works really well against the gold plated case (the colour is more muted in real life - the lighting wasn't great in this pic)
 
Peemacgee
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Well done.
(And it’s gold capped not plated - plated is an entirely different and infinitely inferior beast altogether. )
 
B
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
Well done.
(And it’s gold capped not plated - plated is an entirely different and infinitely inferior beast altogether. )
Thanks - and yes - capped! 😀
 
G___
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Lovely watch and lovely result. Enjoy it!
Thanks for the service pics, confirming 168.004 with cal 561.

Movement serial (24.4mm) dates to 1966, it seems.
 
B
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G___ G___
Lovely watch and lovely result. Enjoy it!
Thanks for the service pics, confirming 168.004 with cal 561.

Movement serial (24.4mm) dates to 1966, it seems.
1966 tracks exactly to what I thought it would be - as my father bought it when he was 21

I'm wearing it now - its a timeless elegant classic and will be looked after by me for the next generation 😀

IMG-0956.webp
 
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