Community Stories

Do most 60's Constellations still have their original crowns?

Ancon Harpy
Posts
9
Likes
7
IMG_0515.JPG
I purchased the cal. 551, ref. 14393 10sc, ca. 1959 Constellation a few months ago along with the cal. 561 (date)
ref. 14393 4, 1961. Did both of these come with the decagonal crown? I have read where the original crowns
are sometimes replaced when serviced. Many of them now have a standard crown like mine. Both of these
do have the Omega symbol on the crown. Was there a problem with the decagonal crowns? (Disregard the Tudor)
IMG_0514.JPG
 
Hijak
Posts
7,225
Likes
24,419
No, there was not a problem with the origional crowns. Crowns are a wear item as over time their rubber seals wear out and the crowns got replaced. Since these origional crowns haven't been available for some time they get replaced with what is available.

Some origional crowns...
image.jpeg

Thicker Decagonal (1954) reference 2799

image.jpeg

Narrower Decagonal (1964) reference 168.005

image.jpeg

Serrated crown (1960) reference 14393

image.jpeg

Serrated crown (1959) reference 14381

As you can see my reference 14393 has a serrated crown but I believe yours could have come with either the narrow decagonal or the serrated crowns. Hope this has helped you at least a little.
 
Willem023
Posts
883
Likes
1,117
Hijak Hijak
No, there was not a problem with the origional crowns
+1
Most of the time replaced by the newer-therefore-better-replacements-at-hand.
Actually rather a lot of them still have their original crowns...

C-case ref 168.029 with 751
Schermafbeelding 2017-02-26 om 03.02.03.png


352 RG ref 2577/2520 from approx 1951
Schermafbeelding 2017-02-26 om 03.04.22.png


344 (2x...) ref 2766 from approx 1953
Schermafbeelding 2017-02-26 om 03.07.14.png Schermafbeelding 2017-02-26 om 03.07.23.png
Edited:
 
Kja
Posts
538
Likes
519
Also, they can have old replacments, my '56 Connie has a period correct replacement crown now, omega made crowns for watchmakers to use as replacements back then too.. So you have about six decades of omega making replacements for just this one model, and even the replacements have changed over time.. I hope you can understand what I'm saying it's hard to explain.
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,957
Ancon Harpy Ancon Harpy
Was there a problem with the decagonal crowns?
Actually there was a widely reported problem with usability of the thin decagonal crown and that's why it's one of the few crowns that's been discontinued by Omega. Most of the other crown styles, including the thick decagonal, are still available new.
Kja Kja
So you have about six decades of omega making replacements for just this one model
The thick decagonal are used on at least 6 different Constellation references, not just one. It would be very rare if a crown was ever created for just one watch model. If there was, it's very likely been discontinued already.
 
STANDY
Posts
16,769
Likes
47,468
Decagonal crown on a seamaster
image.png
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,957
STANDY STANDY
Decagonal crown on a seamaster
image.png
That must be Kyle's watch, rare to have in that condition. 👍

Interesting that most of the contemporary Seamasters have the same tube size as the Constellations of the time, but only the 2984 are known to have the decagonal crown.
 
STANDY
Posts
16,769
Likes
47,468
Kyle's then Dennis,s, now residing in sunny Oz 😉

( funny how watches get around on the forum with not a FS listing to be found 😗 )
 
Kja
Posts
538
Likes
519
TNTwatch TNTwatch
Actually there was a widely reported problem with usability of the thin decagonal crown and that's why it's one of the few crowns that's been discontinued by Omega. Most of the other crown styles, including the thick decagonal, are still available new.

The thick decagonal are used on at least 6 different Constellation references, not just one. It would be very rare if a crown was ever created for just one watch model. If there was, it's very likely been discontinued already.
What I meant was there are slight differences between decades of replacement thick crowns. I have a replacement one from the 50's, it's nothing like a new one. I also had a replacement from the 80's or so that I know was real omega, and it was a little different too.
 
Kja
Posts
538
Likes
519
The 50's one has a rotten gasket Even though it's never been used, so I took it off.
 
Larry S
Posts
13,157
Likes
52,284
Service crown on mine. Much preferred over the original.
IMG_4394.JPG
 
T
Posts
26
Likes
22
I have an original thin crown on mine. It's worn and a bit of a b!tch to turn when needed. I'd like to replace it someday.
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,957
Larry S Larry S
Service crown on mine. Much preferred over the original.
IMG_4394.JPG
It's better but actually doesn't fit and won't seal properly on your watch.
 
Larry S
Posts
13,157
Likes
52,284
TNTwatch TNTwatch
It's better but actually doesn't fit and won't seal properly on your watch.
I think we had this conversation before. 😗 The tedium of setting this is bad enough. Smaller crown would be worse.
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,957
Larry S Larry S
I think we had this conversation before. 😗 The tedium of setting this is bad enough. Smaller crown would be worse.
I don't remember I've ever discussed this issue before. Specifically, the tube size of your crown is bigger than the tube on the case and therefore won't seal it (not counting the hole's depth yet).
 
Larry S
Posts
13,157
Likes
52,284
You mentioned it when I posted the watch for the first time. If I ever decide to sell perhaps I'll correct it.
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,957
Larry S Larry S
You mentioned it when I posted the watch for the first time. If I ever decide to sell perhaps I'll correct it.
Did I? Sorry 😉 But it's still not a service crown... uh, never mind...😀
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

sga3532

Need ID on 60's Constellation

sga3532 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Shabbaz
Shabbaz
Posts
2
Views
736
S

60's Constellation pie pan with arrow markers - genuine?

sirepsyer Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Peemacgee
Peemacgee
Posts
29
Views
3K
X

Late 60's Constellation inheritated from my father.

xringx Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
X
xringx
Posts
24
Views
2K
knafel1983

Early 60's Constellation Estate Sale Find

knafel1983 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
GuiltyBoomerang
GuiltyBoomerang
Posts
19
Views
2K
Ancon Harpy

Do most 60's Constellations still have original crowns?

Ancon Harpy Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
WatchmakerTheory
WatchmakerTheory
Posts
2
Views
816
Ancon Harpy

How Water resistant were 60's Constellations?

Ancon Harpy Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
mondodec
mondodec
Posts
4
Views
8K