Dial Check: 168.004 Cal.561

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vtgconst

·Feb 23, 2026

Hi all,

The dial to me looks decent but the T Swiss Made T is kind of throwing me. I have seen examples mostly of Swiss Made only, I know the T stands for Tritium, but have only seen Swiss Made T in other examples on this forum.

Any help to verify would be most appreciated!

 

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Peemacgee

·Feb 23, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Theories have been put forward - but no one quite knows why tritium lumed Constellation dials have either one or two Ts.
Possibly just a quirk of the manufacturer.

But both are equally correct.

I’m not sure where you are shopping but you really need to post better pics for a considered assessment of the watches you post.

From what we can see, the case looks pretty good, original crown, BOR.
the dial looks good but I would want to see much clearer pictures to be sure.
(There is a spot above the 3 index)
How about a movt and inner case back pic as well?

 

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Peemacgee

·Feb 23, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

I should add that the hands are very poor - which is quite unusual on this reference - and should be replaced.
And it looks like some of the painted hour markers are present on some hours but missing on others - which would annoy me - but as I said we need better pics to assess the dial properly.

 

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vtgconst

·Feb 23, 2026

Peemacgee

Theories have been put forward - but no one quite knows why tritium lumed Constellation dials have either one or two Ts.
Possibly just a quirk of the manufacturer.

But both are equally correct.

I’m not sure where you are shopping but you really need to post better pics for a considered assessment of the watches you post.

From what we can see, the case looks pretty good, original crown, BOR.
the dial looks good but I would want to see much clearer pictures to be sure.
(There is a spot above the 3 index)
How about a movt and inner case back pic as well?

Thanks for the comments. Here are the additional photos I can get. As I am not the seller, the quality and resolution are not in my hands.

 

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Peemacgee

·Feb 23, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

There is pitting inside the caseback - again, very unusual.
The caseback gasket is missing.
This might explain the pitting and corroded hands.
I’m surprised that the dial isn’t showing some signs of moisture ingress.
The movt is slightly grubby and shows signs of rotor drag.

Desirability will depend on:
Asking price.
Better pics of the dial. (Which you should be able to request if you are interested in the watch. )

Hope that helps.

 

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BlackTalon

·Feb 23, 2026·This Space for Rent

The Seller has the ability to take better and more comprehensive photos than what they have provided you so far. They have the white glove, the overblown lighting, etc. -- they can take good photos when its in their best interests...

The lack of good dial photos is concerning, as the minute marks look like they vary. Strategic poorly-taken photos...

 

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Dan S

·Feb 23, 2026

Looks legit to me, I think the condition issues are pretty apparent in the photos. I think it really comes down to price vs the personal appeal of the watch, including how much you like this reference compared to others.

 

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hoipolloi

·Feb 23, 2026

T Swiss Made T is correct for 004. The 004 pie pan is different from 005 with rounded edges and considered as less desirable like the 005.

 

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Peemacgee

·Feb 24, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Not all 004 pie pans have rounded edges.
(But they are still less desirable than an 005 pie pan)

Early 004s often have the soft edged two-tone dial but this is my late (24,29m) 004 with the brickwork observatory and cal 564 movt.

 

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hoipolloi

·Feb 24, 2026

BTW, 004 and 010 dials, movements are interchangeable.

 

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Peemacgee

·Feb 24, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

hoipolloi

BTW, 004 and 010 dials, movements are interchangeable.

Good to know.

For clarity (and the record) my late 004 hasn’t had a dial / movt swap.

As you may recall this one came with a full set of papers, quickset operating instructions and even the hang tag.
Proving once and for all that late 004s did indeed cross over with 010s and came with 564 movts out of the factory.