This is my first post after long-time lurking, and I'd like to thank everyone here for the very useful information that you have all provided. I bought my first ever vintage watch at auction and I'm wondering if there is a small hour marker missing by the date at 3 o'clock. The watch is a 561 calibre 168.005-6 from 1962-1963. Thank you for your help.
Not necessarily. Some dials had this short marker and some didn't. Since the dial otherwise looks original and there are no holes in that area, I would guess that it has always been that way. Hope this helps, gatorcpa
Wouldn't worry about it, I've owned 168.005 Constellations with and without the marker at three, all origional dials. Your watch has a nice origional dial, enjoy it!
welcome aboard lovely constellation -congratulations dome dials come with and without marker at 3 o'clock too mine has just the lume dot - but entirely original
Really Nice example with that case, BOR and crown! I personally prefer the SS over gold or gold plated models.
Another question. I will be getting the watch serviced and, from what I've learned, I should have the movement cleaned, oiled and tuned, have the case cleaned but not polished, and replace the crystal if necessary (I think I should - there is a slight crack at 6 o'clock). Everything else I should leave well alone. Am I right? If I want the watch to be water resistant again, I would need to have the crown replaced, but the replacement is not the same as the original. In that case it's best not to bother with the water resistance, but better to keep the original crown. Again, am I right? Thanks for your help.
Yes. And tell them not to clean the dial or relume. Don't bother about the WR. It is vibtage watch, don't wear it near water
replacing parts is a personal choice most folks are happy to replace the crystal -and you can get an 'official' new omega crystal, complete with omega symbol (£30 0r $50) -look in the centre of mine and @BartH's crystal you'll see the tiny symbol -yours doesn't appear to have it so is most likely a service replacement anyway. the crown is a different matter -again most collectors want an original crown but are happy to believe that crowns were replaced in services as the norm and so accept replacements. However, you are right in saying that Omega no longer make the original for the Constellation but the replacement is similar. I chose to keep my original crown for the sake of originality but at the risk of moisture ingress. I now live in a very humid country and am questioning if I've done the right thing. -but even with a new back seal and new crown the watch won't ever be guaranteed waterproof the main thing is to find a good watchmaker who works on vintage watches -preferably Omegas -and explain in great detail what you do and don't want them to do - -like "an angels's breath dusting of the dial and no more..." -the good ones won't mind the obsessive attention to originality hope that helps Philip
I'd be in the camp of replacing the crown - though keeping the original, especially in a humid region. It's not just water that can get in and you don't want moisture in there. I had this very question and ended up being convinced. https://omegaforums.net/threads/dust-humidity-vs-correctness.25775/
Thanks for the link oddboy. It's a difficult decision. I'll take it for servicing and see what they say about the condition of the watch.