Purchased my first vintage constellation pie pan all stainless with caliber 564 ref 168.005. To me this piece looked original and correct. However once seeing the movement I saw the last 4 digits of serial number to be what looks like drilled out!! I have never seen this and was wondering if anyone else has. Did not know if this was common practice if maybe the bridge was replaced or movement swapped out from a donor? Any thoughts or comments are appreciated. Thanks

 

Stolen

 

I posted here regarding this several years ago:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/thoughts-on-seamster-cal-562.7835/

 

Very cool read!

 

That was a interesting read.

 

What a fascinating bit of Omega history. Thanks for posting the link.

 

This is why I love vintages, you never know when you will come across an interesting story about its origin and owners.

 

Looks like you’ve got yourself a fantastic watch that comes with a cool story! Congrats!

 

Well I'd say that pretty much answered my question. Very interesting,I had all kinds of thoughts going on when I saw the serial. Was it stolen,swapped movement,not authentic etc. It is nice to have an answer but not sure how I feel about it. In a way kinda neat to own a part of history of that story even though a dishonest way of doing business. I am glad at least they are authentic and were purchased and brought to the states legally. Seems to me like he could have just sold them as used and offer his own warranty through his business,never illegal to resell something as used. He'd made less money though and that's what it's all about. I do love the watch and does definitely have an interesting story behind it. Have you heard or do you know how much it effects the value? Honestly I am a bit concerned now I may have overpaid if it hurts the overall value too much. I do feel I got it for below average going rates I have seen but does not have original band,box etc. Thanks for your reply

 

Thanks

 

I don’t think it materially affects the value - as said above it’s just an interesting historical footnote now.
However, I would save a copy of the article for future reference if you decide to sell.
Given the timescales cited in the article it looks like your Connie may be one of his early ventures into the import business.
And if you tell us what the watch cost we can tell you if you overpaid...

 

Yeah the serial dates it to 1967 with the lawsuit beginning in 1969 if I remember correctly. I paid $780 out the door for the watch.

 

Well you have a nice pie pan dial.
Can’t really tell too much about the case from your pics (more photos would be useful)
$780 sounds like a good deal

 

It has definitely been polished at some point not by me though. Sorry for the reflections.

 

With the serial in 25 mil. Are the hour markers painted black?

 

Yes looks like stainless raised markers with fading black paint on the high flats

 

Well, yes it’s been polished but it’s not too bad.
I still think it’s a good deal for the price.

 

cool bit of history... thanks for the link!

 

Very cool article. Being relatively new to the forum I enjoy finding tidbits like this. Oh, and OP; nice find!