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Considering 168.0056 Constellation as My First Vintage Omega Watch

Jj ice
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Dear all,
I am currently considering purchasing the Omega Constellation reference 168.0056 as my first vintage Omega. I find the design very appealing and the watch itself quite charming.

However, after searching online and reviewing posts on Google and Instagram, I noticed that the bracelet on this particular piece (photos attached) seems to differ from what is typically seen with this reference. I would greatly appreciate it if someone with more experience could help me determine whether the bracelet is original or period-correct for the 168.0056.

Additionally, I would be grateful for any advice on whether this would be a suitable choice for a first vintage Omega. If it is indeed a good option, I would also like to ask what would be considered a fair market price for a watch in this condition.

Thank you very much in advance for your time and insights.

IMG_9238.webp IMG_9237.webp
 
SOG53
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Welcome to OF. This is a C-case Constellation, one of the later versions. They are quite popular and would be a good first vintage watch. There are many dial and case styles within this family- here are some materials that will familiarize you with the various options:


https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-c-cased-constellation-thread.72308/ Cover Image
Thread 'The C-Cased Constellation Thread' ·
On the suggestion of @Bill Sohne how about we have a thread on these under appreciated, Gerald Genta designed chronometers?

I’ll kick things off!

I picked up this 168.029 with a cal. 751...
tyrantlizardrex ·
If you havent yet done so, good idea to look through this thread which shows the many examples of these watches owned by OF members.

https://omega-constellation-collect...12/constellation-c-shape-omegas-child-of.html
And this review by Desmond, who has presented tremendous resource materials for all things Constellation- here an article on the Constellation C case references.

Take your time and do the research before buying- these are quite plentiful but you will increase your chances of buying a good one with more knowledge

Good luck!
 
SOG53
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Just noticed that the watch you posted is missing its bezel! They came with either a plain steel bezel or fluted bezel (white gold) here are photos from Omega Vintage database. Definite no go on this watch finding bezel is very difficult!


1751162957815.webp 1751163009679.webp
 
noless
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The bezel is there, it has just been polished, on these c-cases it would be a lot more obvious if the bezel was missing.

That particular bracelet is correct, its less common and seen regularly on the Japanese market.

From the photos it appears the case as well has had a light polish in its lifetime and it also appears to have a service crown on it, to me that tells me the previous owner cared for it enough to pay for it to be serviced and I take that as a good thing.

Good luck with the hunt, just be careful of catching the c-case bug, I got bitten by the bug on this same model...
 
SOG53
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I dont see a bezel. Are there side photos? Maybe crown shot?
 
Jj ice
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SOG53 SOG53
I dont see a bezel. Are there side photos? Maybe crown shot?
Here are some additional photos of the watch.
I truly appreciate you taking the time to have a look and offer your insights, thank you very much for your help.

IMG_9266.webp
 
noless
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without the bezel you would see a lot of height of the glass gasket, heres a pic of one of my spare cases with the bezel, glass, rehaut and gasket removed for comparison.
unfortunately i dont have a spare gasket on hand to show how it would look with the glass and gasket but no bezel.
20250629_131932376.webp
 
SOG53
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I see bezel now. You are correct @noless thank you. I once bought a watch without a bezel so I am attuned to that. I think the OP watch looks nice- but I would still look at other options as above. Be sure to check the case lines on views such as this they should be sharp. The OP watch isnt bad.
I’m not sure if this bracelet is original to this reference but it looks nice
IMG_1286.webp
 
ErichKeane
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I now can't un-see what @SOG53 saw in the 1st pic 😀 The shadow looks like a rubber gasket/edge of the crystal,
 
noless
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the 2036 bracelet was definitely seen on the c-case, now that im scouring the auctions again i am not seeing one on this cal. 1011 c-case but for whatever reason i associate this bracelet more with the cal. 1011 than the 562/564/751 family c-cases.

For what its worth, to me this particular example isnt a spectacular example, but the dial is clean and it shows signs of having been serviced in the past, if the price was right i wouldnt have too much trouble with it, but certainly dont pay a fortune for it
 
noless
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a pic of my NOS 168.0056 for reference of a non polished case, but this one ive since become too scared to wear 😗 so there IS something to be said for finding something thats been a bit more 'pre loved'

20250629_135454367.webp
 
Jj ice
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noless noless
a pic of my NOS 168.0056 for reference of a non polished case, but this one ive since become too scared to wear 😗 so there IS something to be said for finding something thats been a bit more 'pre loved'

20250629_135454367.webp
Thank you so much for your detailed response and guidance.
As someone new to vintage Omega, I truly appreciate your time and the knowledge you’ve shared. It really helps me understand what to look for. Your insight about the bezel and bracelet gave me much more confidence moving forward. Thanks again!
 
Jj ice
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SOG53 SOG53
What is asking price for OP watch?
It’s listed for around 750-800 US dollars. What do you think? Do you think that’s a reasonable price?
 
maumerstrubbi
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The Bracelet matches the watch as it is a Japanese Bracelet version and also a Japanese Dial version with omega being written on the lower half of the dial instead of on top of the dial below the omega symbol. So I don’t know if its a redial. But in this setup it was a watch that was probably and originally sold in Japan.
 
maumerstrubbi
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As for the price 750usd doesn’t sound to crazy with a matching bracelet… although its polished… is anything stated/known about the service history?
 
Jj ice
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maumerstrubbi maumerstrubbi
As for the price 750usd doesn’t sound to crazy with a matching bracelet… although its polished… is anything stated/known about the service history?
The seller said it was serviced last year, but it doesn’t seem like it was done through an official service center. There’s no mention of any other history.
 
maumerstrubbi
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Jj ice Jj ice
The seller said it was serviced last year, but it doesn’t seem like it was done through an official service center. There’s no mention of any other history.
Hmmmm so he doesn’t have any proof of service? I have service receipts from my certified watchmaker for my watches - the receipt doesn’t need to be from an official omega service Center but there should be one (Of course it should always be done by an omega certified watchmaker but that’s not of importance right now).

Is it a private or professional seller? Since professionals more often have references and reviews which could help you by trusting his word of it being recently serviced and a private seller should prove it with a receipt. If not its not guaranteed you won’t have to pay for a service soon on top of your purchase… that you should consider when thinking about buying as well….
 
Jj ice
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maumerstrubbi maumerstrubbi
Hmmmm so he doesn’t have any proof of service? I have service receipts from my certified watchmaker for my watches - the receipt doesn’t need to be from an official omega service Center but there should be one (Of course it should always be done by an omega certified watchmaker but that’s not of importance right now).

Is it a private or professional seller? Since professionals more often have references and reviews which could help you by trusting his word of it being recently serviced and a private seller should prove it with a receipt. If not its not guaranteed you won’t have to pay for a service soon on top of your purchase… that you should consider when thinking about buying as well….
The seller is a private seller. I’ll keep what you said in mind. Thanks for the advice.
 
Peemacgee
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maumerstrubbi maumerstrubbi
and also a Japanese Dial version with omega being written on the lower half of the dial instead of on top of the dial below the omega symbol.
The OP watch may have been sold in Japan but IIRC the dial arrangement is the standard late C case dial style rather than a particular arrangement for the Japanese market.
 
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