Connie 168.001 is this genuinely a jumbo Omega

river9 · Oct 21, 2021

Hello
I would like to ask what do you think about this Constellation found on local forum.
As per Desmond essay this ref was produced for asian markets back in the sixties. But he also stated that due to tropical weather the watch dials would easily be damaged by humidity ingression which is not the case with this example. As the crown for this ref may differs (as per Desmond esaay) I think watch conditions for this Jumbo (seller states 37mm width) are too good to be true, at least to me dial might be refinished.
Would like to have your thoughts please.
Thank you.

tdn-dk · Oct 22, 2021

From the old OVD it says 37 mm. ex crown and sold only in Japan, Sigapore, Thailand and Indonesia

Shabbaz · Oct 22, 2021

Dial is original. Here's a similar one. Used to be mine.

MtV · Oct 22, 2021

Shabbaz
Dial is original. Here's a similar one. Used to be mine.

+1. Tbh I don’t find the dial to be in a very good condition. Yes, they were all delivered to humid countries but there are examples with very nice dials around, especially if the 168.001. While I understand that someone might find this dial condition aesthetically pleasing, it is definitely visibly patinated. No doubts about the originality and if you like it and can pick it up for a good price go ahead. They wear amazingly! 😀

river9 · Oct 22, 2021

tdn-dk
From the old OVD it says 37 mm. ex crown and sold only in Japan, Sigapore, Thailand and Indonesia

Thanks @tdn-dk

MtV
+1. Tbh I don’t find the dial to be in a very good condition. Yes, they were all delivered to humid countries but there are examples with very nice dials around, especially if the 168.001. While I understand that someone might find this dial condition aesthetically pleasing, it is definitely visibly patinated. No doubts about the originality and if you like it and can pick it up for a good price go ahead. They wear amazingly! 😀

@MtV. Thank you. I initially thought dots on dial was a special feature ('sand' finish?) Now for this very watch I think it is some sort of dial damage 🙁

MtV · Oct 22, 2021

river9
Thank you. I initially thought dots on dial was a special feature ('sand' finish?) Now for this very watch I think it is some sort of dial damage 🙁

It is dial damage - and patina is basically a euphemism for exactly that. It might still be pleasing to the eye, though, but that’s for you to decide.

This, for example, is a watch with a heavily “damaged” dial. I’d call it patina and love it to bits. 😀

gatorcpa · Oct 22, 2021

I would advise going after this one only if priced well under market for the following reasons:

1. Dial damage as noted above.

2. Watch seems to have been heavily polished, especially on the back. I do not see any traces of original finish.

3. The rotor has been replaced with a service part from a later cal. 55X/56X movement. See photo of a cal. 561 from another Ref. 168.001 below:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-VINTAGE-OMEGA-168-001-JUMBO-37MM-CONSTELLATION-CHRONOMETER-SS-MENS-WATCH-/284279327380

Focus on the center post of the rotor and compare with this:

Now this is something that can be easily fixed by a watchmaker with the correct part, but at some additional expense.

It’s a nice watch, but has it’s flaw and should be priced accordingly.
gatorcpa

river9 · Oct 22, 2021

gatorcpa
I would advise going after this one only if priced well under market for the following reasons:

1. Dial damage as noted above.

2. Watch seems to have been heavily polished, especially on the back. I do not see any traces of original finish.

3. The rotor has been replaced with a service part from a later cal. 55X/56X movement. See photo of a cal. 561 from another Ref. 168.001 below:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-VINTAGE-OMEGA-168-001-JUMBO-37MM-CONSTELLATION-CHRONOMETER-SS-MENS-WATCH-/284279327380

Focus on the center post of the rotor and compare with this:

Now this is something that can be easily fixed by a watchmaker with the correct part, but at some additional expense.

It’s a nice watch, but has it’s flaw and should be priced accordingly.
gatorcpa

Thank you.
Watch for some reason - I don't know - has been discarded on local forum classifies. So the pristine rotor is a replaced one. I see what you meant with "focus on the center post". On my pics the rotor do have the "O" wording while the center is different.
Thank for headups.
Watch was offered for about 1.000 USD but now it is withdraw (or perhaps hidden!?) by seller.

MtV · Oct 22, 2021

I'd consider 1000USD to be well under market price...

Connie 168.001 is this genuinely a jumbo Omega

river9

tdn-dk

Shabbaz

MtV

river9

MtV

gatorcpa

river9

MtV

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