I'm still a novice with Omega vintage watches and am already grateful for the advice and pointers I've received. I have just stumbled across this 1967 Constellation from a locally based Internet seller and would like your input on whether it is a redial. The case does not show polishing from what I can see, but many of you have far more discerning eyes than I. So please give me you critique of the watch and whether you think it a good first vintage Omega purchase.

https://www.stetzcowatches.com/product/omega-constellation-168-010-1967-cal-564-steel/

 

Looks to be in nice shape. The price is pretty high though. I'd want to know (a) if it were properly serviced and (b) what happened to the caseback gasket?

 

Hello, I bought a REF 168.004 cal 561 from this company. Here's a link to the one I bought:

https://www.stetzcowatches.com/product/omega-constellation-ref-168-004-steel/

It was exactly as described and quite a stunner. I would buy from them again in a heartbeat. They were asking $1200, I offered $900 and they took $950 if you want to use that for reference.

Tom

 

I wonder why the tritium markers apparently haven't aged at all while the hands have turned a lovely colour?

 

They are tritium but were made differently.

 

It's the same story with my (previous) Constellation from '73, hadn't changed much. I am just used to seeing the markers with the large lume strips turn beige.

 

my kind of watch
lovely case - sharp lugs, great medallion
very nice dial - I wonder if it is the lighting the seller uses that makes the lume look pale green?
movement looks to be in good order
one criticism -there's a bit of corrosion around the edge of the inside of the case and either gunk or more corrosion around the crystal ring
if you go for it - I would at the right price -get a watchmaker to service the watch, clean the case and replace the crystal with a new Omega one

 

That's where the caseback gasket should be, but the watch is missing it as I noted above.

 

Thanks, all, for your advice and review. Your generosity with your knowledge is wonderful.

 

Congratulation for your purchase; the watch looks gorgeous!
K.

 

If I were a novice I'd rather pay over the market rate for something really nice than below the market rate for something mediocre. Thinking about it, I'm no longer such a novice but that still applies.

 

With help from folks here at OF I got the Connie for $1,000. mu Not quite as good a price as corn18 got, but still. Now I seek advice on a shop for service. I live in Tampa, FL

 

Congratulations and welcome to the club
Make sure you get it serviced - I'm sure someone here can suggest a watch maker for you
However, you do realise once you buy one Connie....

 

That's not just for novices - that's an axiom of vintage collecting. Premium condition begets premium prices.

 

Nicely done.

BTW, there used to be a Tampa GTG every November but it's been disbanded for years. My wife and I still get down there, usually during Spring Training. Maybe a second generation GTG should be planned.

 

+1 for a Tampa get together.

 

Congrats on your purchase, I really like those hands and lume!

 

Thanks for the compliments, but this is a sad story. I sent the watch off to the watchmaker for service and UPS lost it when it was en route back to me. It was insured, so no money was lost, but i got to wear my first Connie for just a few days.

 

Wow, that's just terrible. Insurance money doesn't always cover the emotional value, unfortunately.
I didn't notice the age of the first post until now. Did you ever replace it with another Omega?

 

I did subsequently buy a 168.005 from @bigdubnick on OF. It's now been serviced and is in lovely shape.