Constellation, Did I do okay?

riimar · Feb 28, 2025

My first constellation purchase
Please do review and let me know what you think? I paid USD 840

Ref: 168.017 SP
Movement 564
Quick set date
Crown: original
Bracelet: brick 1040 with 518 end links

Dial: original, some paint/lume fell off the indices onto the dial?

Bracelet: some movement in the links
Or is this normal wear to these?

Case: seems sharp
Movement pictures coming up soon

CikoNemo · Feb 28, 2025

Im not an expert, but if I may share my opinion:

The case appears somewhat unpolished, with visible brushing and sharp edges.

The bracelet is in good condition with minimal stretch.

The dial looks good to me, though I cant determine from the pictures whether it has been relumed.

It ultimately depends on the condition of the movement. If thats in good shape, Id say you made a solid purchase. Are you looking for opinions, or is there something specific that made you reconsider?

wagudc · Feb 28, 2025

Looks good to me. Congrats!

riimar · Feb 28, 2025

CikoNemo
Im not an expert, but if I may share my opinion:

The case appears somewhat unpolished, with visible brushing and sharp edges.

The bracelet is in good condition with minimal stretch.

The dial looks good to me, though I cant determine from the pictures whether it has been relumed.

It ultimately depends on the condition of the movement. If thats in good shape, Id say you made a solid purchase. Are you looking for opinions, or is there something specific that made you reconsider?

I will post some dial and movement pictures.
Unfortunately I did not have the tools to open the caseback before purchase.
And I could not let it pass.

Nothing specific, just opinions based on my research.. I know little about vintage watches I'm afraid.

Thanks

Porteroso · Feb 28, 2025

riimar
I will post some dial and movement pictures.
Unfortunately I did not have the tools to open the caseback before purchase.
And I could not let it pass.

Nothing specific, just opinions based on my research.. I know little about vintage watches I'm afraid.

Thanks

For the future, the guys here are pretty good about giving opinions and advice. I did this too, I bought a watch and then came here for confirmation, but really we should do it the other way around. A ton of fakes, and some really convincing redials to those of us who aren't experts. That said, it looks like you did good! Hope you enjoy the watch.

I sat next to a guy on the plane a few weeks ago with a similar C cased Constellation, we struck up a conversation, and ended up talking for a while. It was his grandfather's old watch, seemed to mean a lot to him. In fact I think it was exactly the same, the bracelet was for sure. Are you him??? Different story though. These pieces are just beautiful.

Peemacgee · Feb 28, 2025

I will page @kaplan our most prominent resident C-case devotee.

It may be the lighting and I may be mistaken but I would suggest that the case has been refinished - the orbital graining looks too heavy, its usually quite subtle, and the edge facets too large (wide).

Still a good enough looking watch for all that but perhaps not original.

bazelot · Feb 28, 2025

You did good on this one. It look stellar (pun intended). They are hard to find in this condition. Congrats.

mrEgon · Feb 28, 2025

I have the same very reference with the same dial configuration and bracelet (can post picture for reference if you like, although there are plenty of them online).
I might have just some doubts about the lume as well, but the hands are correct for the dial and match the index configuration, although they’ve lost a bit of color (which could suggest that the dial has been retouched and the lume possibly reapplied(?)). “Swiss Made” without a “T” even with the lume is appropriate for that period, the crown is correct, and the bracelet and link are all fine, just the plexi is a replacement.

kaplan · Mar 1, 2025

Yeah I agree with @Peemacgee - hard to conclusively tell from the photos but I'd lean towards refinished with 70% probability - lume seemed like it could be ok, and if the Plexi is original its likely a Flume Omega crystal, those look irregular like this one

Constellation, Did I do okay?

riimar

CikoNemo

wagudc

riimar

Porteroso

Peemacgee

bazelot

mrEgon

kaplan

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