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Constellation 168.018 with BOR bracelet

nkb
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Hi all!

Please take look at this Constellation 168.018 with BOR bracelet.

The issue is the dial script. It does seem correct but the seller insists it is all original. He said he bought the watch new in the 60s and it has never been modified.

There are no pictures available of the movement and inside caseback but he told me the ref is 168.018 and serial number is in the 25mil region which dates it 1967. I presume it is a cal 564.

The BOR is a 1068 with 555 endlinks which is awesome and in awesome condition!

Are the dial script discrepancies a plausible variation of the time? Or I am right in thinking this might be a repainted dial- at least the script part?

Also the hands seem thicker than normal. Again could it be a plausible variation?

The seller is asking $860
IMG-20190913-WA0003.jpg IMG-20190912-WA0020.jpg IMG-20190913-WA0000.jpg
 
nkb
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Sorry the seller is asking $825

Says he bought it in the 60s new wire it for 10years and kept it in a drawer for the next 40 years
 
Noddyman
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Have you checked out other 168.018’s to compare dials fonts and hands?
 
nkb
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Hi Noddyman

Yes I have. I have not seen the script variation on 168.018s that I have looked at

But the M variation in "Chronometer" I saw on later dials from the late 60s and early 70s I.e the 3rd phase dials according to Desmonds blog.

I haven't seen such thick hands but the two tone colour on the hands matches the T SWISS MADE T and the colour of the hour markers.
 
nkb
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I would like to get the experts opinion!
 
nkb
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Hello . Any thoughts?

The A in automatic doesnt look right and neither the m in chronometer.

But the rest of the dial IMO looks original.

Is it worth buying at $825?
How much is the BOR bracelet worth?
 
nkb
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I'm trying to believe that the font inconsistencies and the hand thickness are valid variations as the rest of the dial the bracelet and observatory medallion are all original.

Or is it a redial of some sort?
Thank you for assisting me.
 
X350 XJR
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I know this one is correct, it was once mine.

i28081_IMG6146.jpg
 
michael22
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The lume in the hands, especially the minute hand, looks redone.
Other than that, nothing pokes me in the eye.
I'm not an expert.
 
nkb
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
I know this one is correct, it was once mine.

i28081_IMG6146.jpg
Thanks for a providing a reference dial👍. I will compare the dial in question with the reference.

Is it a case of the changeover between "2nd phase" and "3rd phase" lettering and font as described in Desmond's blog?
 
Noddyman
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nkb nkb
Is it a case of the changeover between "2nd phase" and "3rd phase" lettering and font as described in Desmond's blog?
There are differences between phases and sometimes differences within the same reference, depends on who manufactured the dial.
As per michael22, nothing looks odd about this dial.
 
nkb
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Noddyman Noddyman
There are differences between phases and sometimes differences within the same reference, depends on who manufactured the dial.
As per michael22, nothing looks odd about this dial.
👍 ITO condition (of dial and case) and that it has the lovely 9 row BOR bracelet with the 555 endlinks that are appropriate for this ref do you think the price $825 (I will try negotiate for say $75 less) is okay without seeing the movement and inside caseback?

I'm willing to take the chance that, since as the dial is original and everything else I can see in the photos is original and the current owner was the original owner since 1967, the rest I.e movement etc is also. He gave me the serial number which is 25728069.

I'm attracted to the dial and bracelet and like the gold even if it is plated😀
 
nkb
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Just the top left lug that has a chip in it but I can live with it!
 
Noddyman
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nkb nkb
👍 ITO condition (of dial and case) and that it has the lovely 9 row BOR bracelet with the 555 endlinks that are appropriate for this ref do you think the price $825 (I will try negotiate for say $75 less) is okay without seeing the movement and inside caseback?

I'm willing to take the chance that, since as the dial is original and everything else I can see in the photos is original and the current owner was the original owner since 1967, the rest I.e movement etc is also. He gave me the serial number which is 25728069.

I'm attracted to the dial and bracelet and like the gold even if it is plated😀
I think you are in the right ballpark with your expected price. If UK market I would say £550 - £600.
Does it come with box & papers as that would be a nice bonus?
 
nkb
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Noddyman Noddyman
I think you are in the right ballpark with your expected price. If UK market I would say £550 - £600.
Does it come with box & papers as that would be a nice bonus?
Comes with certificate of authenticity.

Here is another picture showing the lugs more clearly although showing lots of scratches on the crystal. I can either replace it or get it polished during the service.
IMG-20190913-WA0001.jpg
 
Noddyman
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Lots of crud around the clasp so likely overdue a good clean + service.
Most of those scratches should come out with Polywatch, or let your watchmaker do it when servicing.
In that last shot the bezel looks to have retained some of its original brushing which is a good sign.
The medallion also looks good with very little signs of wear.
I would want to see a movement pic but that’s your choice.

Good luck.
 
nkb
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Noddyman Noddyman
Lots of crud around the clasp so likely overdue a good clean + service.
Most of those scratches should come out with Polywatch, or let your watchmaker do it when servicing.
In that last shot the bezel looks to have retained some of its original brushing which is a good sign.
The medallion also looks good with very little signs of wear.
I would want to see a movement pic but that’s your choice.

Good luck.
Thanks so much for your valuable assistance.
I'm going to go for it. Will repost with pictures of the movement after servicing.😀
 
nkb
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
I know this one is correct, it was once mine.

i28081_IMG6146.jpg
The hour and minute hands on your dial have "pie-slice" ends. The specimen I'm checking out has hands that have square ends.

I have looked at a lot of 168.018 pictures and the majority of the hands have the pie- slice ends, however I saw one example with square ends.

Is this cause for concern or just another variation?
The seller has reduced the price to £605 / $755😀
 
Davidt
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A better picture of the dialwould help with the assessment and the number of replies.
 
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