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Constellation ref 2852 17 sc birthday gift advice

cutecloud
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Hi everyone,

Long story short for my dad's birthday I want to give him a vintage connie (the first real watch I ever got was his old constellation manhattan), however I myself have little knowledge of vintage watches. I have been studying Desmond's blog and this forum like there's no tomorrow. I've found the following watch in a department store/antique watch store and it looks in really good condition. It comes serviced from a respectable vendor and with one year insurance but at the premium price of roughly 2700 USD (origin Japan). To my novice eyes the dial (MOY), movement (most likely a 505?), medallion, crown, case back etc. all look in good condition, minimal polishing and original to the watch. I understand that the Tridium lumes have been removed and the glass most likely replaced.

I am really curious to hear what some of you experts think of this watch, have any interesting facts about it and or have any advice.

Info so-far: Gold capped cal. 505 Ref 2852 17 SC omega constellation 1957, lumes removed, glass replaced, original dial and movement.
 
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MSNWatch
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It's a premium price for a non-premium piece. At that price for a gold cap 2852 the dial has to be near mint and this one is not. And IMO since it is gold cap which is less desirable than either stainless steel or solid gold (at least to collectors) condition becomes even more important.
 
DaveK
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cutecloud cutecloud
...however I myself have little knowledge of vintage watches....

Great idea for a gift, and great that you are diving into the research and also checked here first (a step which has worked out well for me too).

Note that an ad for a watch may say that the dial is “original”, but the seller is technically referring to the dial (the metal) being original. The dial (paint/markers) could still be refinished/repainted. I’m not referring to the watch you posted here, specifically.
 
cutecloud
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MSNWatch, DaveK, thanks for your comments and time. Perhaps I'll have to sit this one out and wait for the next chance to buy a crosshair arrowhead paipan (there's something about this particular design that I find very charming which makes this very tempting for me). Based on this forum I think a more fair price for this piece would perhaps have been around the 1800 USD mark.

This forum has been extremely insightful and very addictive, I am afraid I might have found myself a new hobby....
 
VetPsychWars
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MSNWatch MSNWatch
And IMO since it is gold cap which is less desirable than either stainless steel or solid gold (at least to collectors) condition becomes even more important.

Really? Not a "legitimate variation"? I tihnk they're kind of interesting, myself.

Tom
 
MSNWatch
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VetPsychWars VetPsychWars
Really? Not a "legitimate variation"? I tihnk they're kind of interesting, myself.

Tom

No doubt some would prefer gold cap to SS but from what I have observed all things being equal especially originality and condition the SS watch will be more attractive and will sell for more money than the gold cap watch.
 
Kek25
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Not to derail this thread, but I find the gold capped watches (not to be confused with gold plate) present a sophisticated look when comparing apples to apples (i.e. unpolished, gently used examples of gold capped vs the same in ss). I understand perhaps a majority of the members of this forum are collectors, but I think limiting or diminishing the desirability of gold capped cases does a disservice to that variant. Such comments, to me, imply some lesser status to them.
 
JwRosenthal
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cutecloud cutecloud
Thank you JwRosenthal, efauser also recommended that one. Looks like really great value for money, however I think I'll wait a bit till I find an arrowhead pie pan because I'm in love with that particular design.
Totally understood. Just keep in mind that the arrowhead are more limited and more desirable (not that the one above is abundant and less desirable) so you may find yourself waiting for some time for the right one and competition will be greater. It all comes down to how long can you wait and how much do you want to spend.

Keep an eye on the classified’s here. They are a great safe place to buy watches as they are member monitored and vetted. Chrono24 and eBay can be a minefield.
 
BenBagbag
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Kek25 Kek25
understand perhaps a majority of the members of this forum are collectors, but I think limiting or diminishing the desirability of gold capped cases does a disservice to that variant. Such comments, to me, imply some lesser status to them.
I think it's a market demand thing rather than an objective value placed on gold cap. @MSNWatch is making on observation based on his years of watching the market.
 
VetPsychWars
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BenBagbag BenBagbag
I think it's a market demand thing rather than an objective value placed on gold cap. @MSNWatch is making on observation based on his years of watching the market.

More for those of us who appreciate them, then!

Tom
 
JwRosenthal
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I would much rather have a gold cap than a gold plate- or even a solid gold- I am not a gold fan but the two tone case on these is beautifully excecuted.
 
Kek25
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BenBagbag BenBagbag
I think it's a market demand thing rather than an objective value placed on gold cap. @MSNWatch is making on observation based on his years of watching the market.
Understood. I didn't mean any disrespect to the member voicing the opinion. I've seen similar comments on other boards parroted by those without such experience and have not seen a data compillation supporting those opinions. I can see if it is a matter of the gold capping not standing the test of time due to its composition, but it would seem logical to me if that was the case, fine examples of such watches would be sought after by collectors due to scarcity. In my mind there is a difference between not being collectible (or highly sought after) due to poor condition and not being collectible (or highly sought after) regardless of condition.
 
NVWC
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There are currently some for sale at the private sales section...u can check it out.

cutecloud cutecloud
Thank you JwRosenthal, efauser also recommended that one. Looks like really great value for money, however I think I'll wait a bit till I find an arrowhead pie pan because I'm in love with that particular design.
 
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