Does a 167.500 Constellation caseback ever not have a medallion?

hobbes85 · May 7, 2020

Long time lurker on OF and have been interested in vintage constallations for a while. I recently found a copy of a 167.005 Pie pan and everything looked great based on all my research about that particular reference. The only thing out of place was the caseback did not have a medallion. It’s stamped with the right ref number though.

Thought I’d throw it out to the experts here, since I’m clearly still new to this. Is this legit? Realizing, after the fact, I probably should have come here first. Thanks in advance!

Passover · May 7, 2020

Hi Hobbes!

Welcome here on Omegaforums! 😀

Asking before buying would maybe have been better but anyway...

Looks not too bad at first sight.

Dial seems genuine, hands are OK, movement looks OK but the regulator indicates that a service should be carried out I think

Lugs are too polished IMO

I'm pretty shure that there hasn't been a 167.005 Connie without medallion.

This reference isn't know to be faked often so I think the caseback is genuine.

Maybe the outer caseback has been heavily polished to get rid of an engraving?

How much did you pay?

Take care

EDIT: the lugs width is 18mm so you should change the watchband

Noddyman · May 7, 2020

That case back is a mystery.
The medallion on a 167.005 is stainless steel and an integral part of the case back.
As @Passover says possibly someone got carried away trying to disguise an engraving.

Peemacgee · May 7, 2020

I agree that the 167.005 should have a medallion and other than that the watch looks correct.
It would a hell of a job to polish off an integral medallion.
My guess would be a special order back for presentation engraving.
You can see the remnants of some kind of engraving.

Edward53 · May 7, 2020

Very nice dial, original hands and crown, lugs polished but we have seen worse on here. It's still very wearable (others won't see the back!) and if the price was low, worth enjoying on its own terms.

I agree that this must be a ground-down special order presentation caseback. Wasn't there one with a religious icon posted some time ago? It looks as if someone went to a lot of trouble to erase both inner and outer circles.

Peemacgee · May 7, 2020

Edward53
Wasn't there one with a religious icon posted some time ago? .

The religious one was a hoot - a medallion of Our Lady.
By the time it appeared on OF for the second time, it had even acquired a miraculous halo. 😒

six-barrel · May 7, 2020

Peemacgee
The religious one was a hoot - a medallion of Our Lady.
By the time it appeared on OF for the second time, it had even acquired a miraculous halo. 😒

It was on the original photos, I used the same pics..

hobbes85 · May 7, 2020

Thank you @Passover and everyone for taking the time to reply. I'm fairly new to vintage omegas, and this forum is just invaluable. I didn't even think of an engrave/polished scenario, but that makes sense and you do see possible remnants of that possibility. I'm glad it looks, for the most part, correct.

This was on ebay, I got it for the starting bid of $999. After no one else bid on it, that had me worried. As a newbe, I don't know what I don't know. But that's why I'm here. Thanks again for all your knowledge.

gatorcpa · May 7, 2020

Yes, I have seen these without medallions. They were sold as presentation watches for engraving.

Note that these came from a special office inside Norman Morris, Inc. who was the US Omega importer. These casebacks were likely made only for the US market.

On this example, the engraving was likely polished off.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

Peemacgee · May 7, 2020

six-barrel
It was on the original photos, I used the same pics..

no intention to offend @six-barrel

Original pic from thread
Followed by second later pic with halo

gatorcpa · May 7, 2020

My guess is that the Madonna was not a custom job from Omega. Just a skilled jeweler that worked with the medallion that was there and maybe added a small amount of gold to it.

Unlike the OP’s example which never had a medallion to begin with.
gatorcpa

Peemacgee · May 7, 2020

gatorcpa
My guess is that the Madonna was not a custom job from Omega. Just a skilled jeweler that worked with the medallion that was there and maybe added a small amount of gold to it.

Unlike the OP’s example which never had a medallion to begin with.
gatorcpa

do you not think that the original medallion was lost (as @cristos71 said in the original post - 2782s appear to be prone to ‘throwing’ their medallions) and someone added the Madonna to fill in the hole and as a votive gesture?

hobbes85 · May 7, 2020

I think I prefer my polished caseback. An engraved Omega for years of loyal service seems like such a different time/place from now.

Passover · May 7, 2020

gatorcpa
Yes, I have seen these without medallions. They were sold as presentation watches for engraving.

New to me so thanks for that!

Does a 167.500 Constellation caseback ever not have a medallion?

hobbes85

Passover

Noddyman

Peemacgee

Edward53

Peemacgee

six-barrel

hobbes85

gatorcpa

Peemacgee

gatorcpa

Peemacgee

hobbes85

Passover

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