Constellation Dial and ID Help

Peemacgee

It is a well known ‘rail track’ dial.
The reference is 14381 with an incorrect caseback.

Peemacgee

It is a well known ‘rail track’ dial.
The reference is 14381 with an incorrect caseback.

WatchBreaker

Agree with the above: the watch is a 14381 with a caseback from a later model.


Why the caseback can’t be original:

• 168.005 is the Constellation Calendar reference from 1962, made for the cal. 561/564 date movements, in gold-cap and steel versions. The 551 is the no-date chronometer, so a 551 with a 17.0 million serial was never cased in a 168.005.
• The no-date 551 Constellations of 1959 are the 14381 family. The gold-cap on steel version is KO 14381, which matches your case.
• A 1962 date caseback on a 1959 no-date watch is a swap, not a transitional piece. Transitional watches mix parts from the same period, not a back from a different model and a later reference system.

On the dial, the “rail track” layout was used on these 1959 Constellations, so it doesn’t on its own point to an older dial.


Before you buy:

• Price it as a 14381 with a replacement back. A correct 14381 back is worth hunting for later.
• If originality matters to you, an Omega Extract of the Archives on the movement serial will confirm the reference and delivery date. If it were mine, I would look for a correct case for the watch.