Constellation redial?

Olhenry56 · Mar 22, 2022

I bought this constellation (750 usd) based on some pictures of less than stellar quality, and fear that the dial is at best a redial. The star is not 3-dimensional, and the fonts seem a bit off, but I lack experience. The movement is a 354 and the reference number of 14... seems to date this from 1954. Those of you with more experience, does this seem to be a redial? I plan to take it to a service center when I can find one to try to confirm that it is at least a chronometer.

Edit: I took it to a watchmaker who said he thinks I got a fair deal, but I'm not so sure, though I do like everything else about the watch and it keeps good time. I could live with it if the dial is a service dial, but I can't find any dial like it anywhere, so I feel like it's a fake. The indices have 2 facets instead of 3 and are not aligned.

MtV · Mar 22, 2022

Very much a redial, I'm afraid and I have a feeling that with more and better pictures, this won't be the last issue. Can you still return it?

padders · Mar 22, 2022

Obvious redial. Spelling of Chronometer is wrong for the movement, star is missing, should be 3 lines etc etc etc. Was that style of block dial even seen on the 354 bumper movement? Maybe it was but the rest puts me off. As noted above, you might find a can of worms when you remove the back.

khangct · Mar 22, 2022

Definitely a redial. Also, everything else look off too. If possible, return it.

Olhenry56 · Mar 22, 2022

Thanks, all. I should still be able to return it since it was advertised on eBay as all original.

Olhenry56 · Mar 24, 2022

I added more photos. A local watchmaker said it's worth at least what I paid for, but I don't think so if the dial is in fact fake. The seller will accept a return. Is 750 usd too much for such a watch? I'm not a collector or a purist. I wouldn't mind a franken with genuine parts, but I don't want to waste my money on an inauthentic dial.

Nepomuceño · Mar 24, 2022

Olhenry56
I added more photos. A local watchmaker said it's worth at least what I paid for, but I don't think so if the dial is in fact fake. The seller will accept a return. Is 750 usd too much for such a watch? I'm not a collector or a purist. I wouldn't mind a franken with genuine parts, but I don't want to waste my money on an inauthentic dial.

The dial isn't fake, it's simply been repainted at some point and not done very well. 750 USD for a constellation in good condition is good imo.

I would also disagree with the notion of being fine with a franken. If I paid for a chronometer rated movement the last thing I would want is to spend my money something that isn't as advertised. If you're bothered by a redial then you will eventually be bothered by an incorrect movement etc.

Olhenry56 · Mar 24, 2022

Nepomuceño
The dial isn't fake, it's simply been repainted at some point and not done very well. 750 USD for a constellation in good condition is good imo.

I would also disagree with the notion of being fine with a franken. If I paid for a chronometer rated movement the last thing I would want is to spend my money something that isn't as advertised. If you're bothered by a redial then you will eventually be bothered by an incorrect movement etc.

True. I suppose there's no way to be sure that it is a chronometer, huh? Without service or adjustment it keeps good time, losing about 10-15 second per day.

Has anyone seen indices like that on other constellations?

Nepomuceño · Mar 24, 2022

Olhenry56
I suppose there's no way to be sure that it is a chronometer

Well this is a chronometer certified movement in your example. Looks like a caliber 354. I only mention chronometers vs. non chronometer movements as you said you wouldn't mind a franken with genuine Omega parts. However, imagine you buy a Constellation for $1000 that is supposed to be chronometer certified only to open up the movement and you find a whole different caliber. This different movement is a genuine Omega movement but is it incorrect for the example and isn't a chronometer.

The bottom line is if you're paying a premium for watch, you'd expect it to have the correct movement inside whether you're a purist/collector or not.

Olhenry56 · Mar 24, 2022

Yeah, I was wrong to say that. It would bother me, and it does bother me to think that mine might not be a chronometer since I sought that out when I bought this. I gather that the engraving of "adjusted five positions and temperatures" means it was certified, but I don't really know for sure if that's the original rotor (or reference number for that matter). It has a naiad crown which doesn't match the case (unless I misunderstand) so who knows what else has been changed.

MtV · Mar 25, 2022

The movement looks fine (in terms of correctness), the dial does not. I’m not sure if it’s “only” a redial, as the indices, as you mention, don’t belong on a 2782. Might well be a whole other dial, although either way, the value is equally lost.

The price is relatively low for a 50s Constellation, but not for what it is. Return it, be patient, find a nicer and correct example and wear the hell out of it. 😀

Peemacgee · Mar 25, 2022

I don’t think that is a Constellation dial at all.
The intermediate indices are too slim, it would have an applied OMEGA.
There would be a hole for the star.
It might be an omega dial and had the erroneous text addd but who knows.
However, it does make this a frankenwatch.

redhed18 · Mar 25, 2022

There is a special place in hell for people doing redials and frankens. Alas...

Constellation redial?

Olhenry56

MtV

padders

khangct

Olhenry56

Olhenry56

Nepomuceño

Olhenry56

Nepomuceño

Olhenry56

MtV

Peemacgee

redhed18

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