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Constellation Authenticity Help

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I'm a new member to the forums and this site has proven incredibly valuable in terms of education (with a few laughs in there for good measure as well). Thanks to all those posting content and making this murky world a little clearer for the newbs (like me) out there.

I've been on the lookout for a mid 60's Constellation or Seamaster for some time - being patient and trying to educate myself before any purchase. I recently came across this Constellation below and was hoping some members with more experienced eyes could tell me if they see anything wrong with it at first glance? I've run the reference through OVDB and it seems to check out. Movement looks to be in good condition - almost too good. And I've read in several places to be wary of the black dials because of how often the vintage lots get redialed to black because of the premium they fetch - so I just have this natural suspicion that I need to check out anytime I see a black dial.

Any and all thoughts are welcome. I'm in no rush to buy, but at the same time, if a smoking good deal shows up, I'd love to have the knowledge to pull the trigger.
 
Con 1.jpg Con 2.jpg Con 3.jpg Con 4.jpg
BlackTalon
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The minute marks are an easy way to pick it out as a likely redial.
 
Peemacgee
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Welcome, you did right to ask.

Good advice above.

There are many redialled Connies out there and the majority of black dials on the market have been redone.
After looking at a good few, you will see how the font is too thick, the dial is too matt, the minute ticks poorly done, the Swiss made too high and the two differing Ms are incorrect.

Good luck and post your targets here for review.
 
K
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Welcome - All of the text is wrong and the dial carries so much value that it is better to simply look at other examples
 
Maskelyne
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I enhanced yours picture and Peemacgee assesment say´s it all... The case seems to be in quite good condition though.

Con-1.jpg
 
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
The minute marks are an easy way to pick it out as a likely redial.
I see what you mean with the minute marks. That's quite helpful. Thanks.
 
A
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Annndddd this is why I'm super happy to have found the forums. Thanks All. The instinct to be suspicious about the black dials is further reinforced. I'm not even particularly after a black dial, so its nice to be able to be choosy when I see one and not feel the pressure.

Will definitely throw some of the references up here I'm considering and lean on the insights of the forum going forward.
 
Ravineman
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Note that while a refinished dial like this makes any watch non - collectable to the expert collectors here on OF, it can still be a very nice watch to be worn and enjoyed if you dont overpay.

At a proper price a nice redialed watch would still e something I would have no trouble owning.

I may even own one and not even know
 
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Ravineman Ravineman
Note that while a refinished dial like this makes any watch non - collectable to the expert collectors here on OF, it can still be a very nice watch to be worn and enjoyed if you dont overpay.

At a proper price a nice redialed watch would still e something I would have no trouble owning.

I may even own one and not even know
I'm in agreement with this. I don't mind a redial if its done well and the engine inside is in good shape. To the extent it can breathe some new life into a piece and make someone happier to wear and show it. The key is indeed price like you mention. A redial for the sake of just boosting resale price is one of those things that in principle sets me off.
 
Sherbie
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And on the first watch posted, even the star on the dial seems crooked !!
 
A
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If I can try another with the group - a seamaster on offer to ponder. Any red flags? There is some variation between some of the other examples of this reference I've tried cross referencing against, but its hard to know which is the chicken and which is the egg sometimes....
 
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Otterina
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Vanallard Vanallard
There are a couple vintage Constellations for sale in the sales sections on OF.

and they disappear fast 🙁
 
padders
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Another massive tell on the OP watch is the spelling of Chronometre. It is never RE on a dog leg, that was last seen around ~1957.

Unless you a Desmond level expert, a good black dial is just too damn hard to find.
 
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A alkearl
If I can try another with the group - a seamaster on offer to ponder. Any red flags? There is some variation between some of the other examples of this reference I've tried cross referencing against, but its hard to know which is the chicken and which is the egg sometimes....

That appears to be a nice example in good condition. Is the price reasonable?
 
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K killer67
That appears to be a nice example in good condition. Is the price reasonable?
I'm still trying to benchmark what a reasonable price is. By doing a sold search on similar references on ebay, it looks to be in the ballpark of other selling on the site. What other sources are there out there for benchmarking price? Any opinion on what a market range for something like this would be?
 
MtV
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A alkearl
I'm still trying to benchmark what a reasonable price is. By doing a sold search on similar references on ebay, it looks to be in the ballpark of other selling on the site. What other sources are there out there for benchmarking price? Any opinion on what a market range for something like this would be?

Not sure what your currency is, but roughly 500-600EUR, I‘d say. Might even fetch slightly more sometimes.
 
A
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That's within the range I'm currently looking at (although on the higher end). Canadian funny money doesn't go quite as far as it did a few years ago...
 
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