Considering Constellation 167.005 cal 551 ca 1962/3 please advise.

Zdzislaw

Hello there, considering second Constellation.

1. Serial, reference, case and movement adds up.
2. Crystal original and signed, but worn. I am skeptical, if it will be in good enough shape for daily use? Can it be replaced or polished?

3. Caseback looks fine, but someone without proper tools tried to open it - visible scratches. BTW can you recommend some basic toolkit to open caseback like that? 😉

4. Case in good enough shape. I think it was polished, but the question is, was it over polished in your opinion?
5. Dial looks original and in overall I do like it’s honesty. What percentage of the MOY part is damaged and what part is due to the scratched crystal?

6. Crown looks original.

7. Movement looks original and healthy. Too optimistic about that?

As always any advice much appreciated. 😉 Including market value - I have number in my head, but don’t want to influence your judgement. 😉

apsm100

From one noob to another: My best advice is to slow down and focus on one reference. Find an example that is in mint condition (like the ones owned by OF members) and use it as a guide and spend months, not days, waiting and looking for the right one for yourself.

Zdzislaw

Thank you for reply. Being honest I have written “considering” and looking for advise, not buying. I have already seen and analyzed mint condition pieces and those in this case are rare. That’s why I am looking for second opinion from more knowledgeable OF forums members. Will not be focusing on one model. That being said, if you have any insight to share regarding this piece it will be much appreciated.

Peemacgee

Hi @Zdzislaw
First one has a quite well-polished case with the lugs losing their definition.
Spotting on the dial.
Early signs of rotor rub. (On movement)
Damaged replacement crown.

Second one - case looks better but the single fuzzy pic isn’t good enough to give an accurate opinion.
Hope that helps.

VetPsychWars

You do not need a case back wrench. There is nothing in there except pain and misery. Leave it to the professionals.

Tom

Zdzislaw

Thanks for feedback. I was looking at watch maker opening 168.029 case and it did not look challenging. I am asking from the perspective, if I would like to sell one of the pieces in the future and not being able to open it for the photos of movement and caseback reverse. It simply wouldn’t make sense to me neither to not include those photos not going to the watch maker just to open it. As per majority of the private sales statements “service history unknown and service recommended” is honest statement, which does not require watch maker. I am leaving working with the movement itself to the pros. 😉

VetPsychWars

You can't prevent things from falling inside. You can't prevent possibly cross-threading the case back.

Keep this in mind.

Tom

Peemacgee

Some great images of the lace doily.......🙄

case doesn't look too bad (gold cap is never as sharp as gold or SS) but has seen some polishing -most likely with use.
medallion looks quite good
movt looks okay but again is showing signs of rotor rub on the movement - that is probably the original case gasket and it is in a bad way



such as bits of that gasket....

would need a decent image of the dial to comment properly but from what you can see from the wrist shot it doesn't look too bad at all.

you tell us how much the asking is and we'll tell you if it is reasonable.

Zdzislaw

I am not aspiring to be watch maker, but trying to cover the basics to be well equipped to take good care of my Constellation and any other additions to the collection. Any feedback appreciated.

Peemacgee

Well, breaking it down.
It’s gold cap and a dome dial, so less desirable to some.
It’s slightly worn and in need of a service (I wouldn’t even run the watch after having exposed the movt to that gasket)
Allowing $300 for a service and deducting a sum for the wear, assuming the dial is ok, then your $700 wouldn’t be an unreasonable offer.

Peemacgee

Well, breaking it down.
It’s gold cap and a dome dial, so less desirable to some.
It’s slightly worn and in need of a service (I wouldn’t even run the watch after having exposed the movt to that gasket)
Allowing $300 for a service and deducting a sum for the wear, assuming the dial is ok, then your $700 wouldn’t be an unreasonable offer.

Peemacgee

Has the seller an aversion to straight on dial shots?
From what is shown:
Case is as expected, perhaps a little more worn on some lugs than others.
Bezel looks quite good.
Dial (from the oblique pics) looks correct.
Looks like original crown and crystal.
Just noticed from the previous pics , there is a scratch across the back and medallion - did they provide a better case back image?

I think with a bit of patience you could find a better condition gold cap dome dial dogleg for $850 (but when I think about it, there seems to be fewer GC doglegs appear on the forum than SS or gold) so if you really like the watch then it’s up to you if you want to put your money down.