First PiePan. Need help to determine if it is a fake.

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pedraox3

·Thurs. 1:48pm

Hello everyone,


I would really appreciate your opinions regarding the originality of a vintage watch I am considering buying.

I have some vintage omegas, but this one would be my first piepan (a watch I’ve always dreamt of).


It is an Omega Constellation Pie Pan from 1963, reference 168.005 solid gold case. Overall, the watch looks very interesting to me, but I do have a few doubts, especially regarding the crystal. It appears to have a magnifier over the date window, and I do not recall seeing this feature on other examples of this reference before.


I have attached some photos of the watch for reference.


Any thoughts, comments, or advice would be very welcome.


Thank you very much in advance.

 

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ErichKeane

·Thurs. 1:54pm

It looks legit to me, though I have some slight misgivings (perhaps due to the photos) about the top text, which might have been touched up. Better pictures would help. Crystals get replaced over the years, you can actually glue on the magnifier if you care to, and there were some you could order with it, see: https://omegaforums.net/threads/constellation-with-date-magnifying-crystal.96671/

Movement looks crusty, so obviously get that serviced ASAP.

ALSO-ALSO: I HOPE you didn't pay solid-gold prices for that, that is a gold filled case.

 

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Peemacgee

·Thurs. 2:05pm·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Welcome @pedraox3
We need much better pictures as there are a number of questions about the watch.

 

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Cartesian

·Thurs. 2:10pm

In the first photo, it looks to me like the second 'n' in 'Constellation' curves outwards instead of inwards, which is worrying.

Moreover, the stars seem to be clustered incorrectly on the observatory medallion.

These considerations - along with the erroneous solid gold claim - would make me pass on the watch.

 

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Peemacgee

·Thurs. 2:13pm·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

The dial looks suspicious but it could be the photos.
The second hand is an incorrect replacement.
Magnifier crystals were available as special order.
The lugs have no facets at all (not just polished soft) this cannot be right.
The movt appears to be a cal564 - so is not from 1963.
We could do with the serial number.

 

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Dan S

·Thurs. 2:13pm

Better photos are needed, but at first glance, it's not solid gold, dial printing appears wrong, dogleg shape is barely visible.

 

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Yelfel

·Thurs. 3:39pm

Mmm it could also be totally legit?? Not sure how you can really determine with these photos.

 

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MtV

·Thurs. 4:24pm

Peemacgee

The dial looks suspicious but it could be the photos.
The second hand is an incorrect replacement.
Magnifier crystals were available as special order.
The lugs have no facets at all (not just polished soft) this cannot be right.
The movt appears to be a cal564 - so is not from 1963.
We could do with the serial number.

This.

Dial is incorrect, it’s those overpronounced serifs we’ve seen regularly on not only reprints but fake kits. I don’t believe the case is legit either. The extremely tired movement is another hint.

Another one might the asking price which, I assume, might be relatively low to lure possible buyers.

 

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TexOmega

·Thurs. 5:07pm

At one brief glance at that first picture of the dial(even blurry and taken 30 feet away and heavily manipulated in photoshop), the fonts in Constellation are all wrong and really awful up top.

 

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pedraox3

·Thurs. 5:13pm

Thank you all very much for the helpful comments so far. Unfortunately I do not have any more photos of the watch.


Just to clarify, I have not bought the watch yet. The asking price is USD 3,800, so I am trying to gather as much information as possible before making a decision.


I would also like to understand how it was possible to determine that the case is gold-filled rather than solid gold. Are there any specific hallmarks, case-back markings, or construction details that indicate this?


Also, were there no solid gold Omega Constellation Pie Pan models from this period/reference, or is the concern specific to this particular watch?


Any further opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

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ErichKeane

·Thurs. 5:15pm

You can see the bottom of the lugs and inside the case aren't gold...

 

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Dan S

·Thurs. 5:15pm

It's gold capped, not gold filled. You can clearly see that the case-back and the backs of the lugs are stainless. Gold-capped watches have similar value as stainless.

Not to put too fine a point on it ... you are being scammed because you don't know enough to be shopping for a vintage Constellation. Step back, take some time, and learn.

 

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TexOmega

·Thurs. 5:18pm

If you pay $3800, I have TWO bridges in New York to sell you..........cheap.

 

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ErichKeane

·Thurs. 5:36pm

Dan S

It's gold capped, not gold filled. You can clearly see that the case-back and the backs of the lugs are stainless. Gold-capped watches have similar value as stainless.

Not to put too fine a point on it ... you are being scammed because you don't know enough to be shopping for a vintage Constellation. Step back, take some time, and learn.

Urgh, I never remember which is which. Thanks for the correction.

 

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pedraox3

·Thurs. 5:50pm

To be honest, this was exactly the purpose of my post: to avoid making an expensive mistake before buying the watch. I would much rather be corrected here than learn the lesson the hard way after spending US$3,800.


I should also say that I really do not have much experience buying vintage watches, especially this particular model, so I truly appreciate the knowledge shared by the members here.


I am very glad I asked before pulling the trigger. Thanks for the comments and considerations!

 

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TexOmega

·Thurs. 6:26pm

If you do not know at a glance you are looking at an original dial, best to study here on this Forum, many many MANY threads with all original Constellations. And members to help you out.

We all started where you are at now.........and just saved you $3800USD

 

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SOG53

·Thurs. 7:05pm

pedraox3

would also like to understand how it was possible to determine that the case is gold-filled rather than solid gold. Are there any specific hallmarks, case-back markings, or construction details that indicate this?

The inside of Caseback at top reads
ACIER INOXYDABLE
which means stainless steel.


If it were solid gold it would have .750 for 18k and have hallmarks.
The sides and back are steel from outside.


Good for you that you asked first before buying. Study this thread to help you get started and don’t buy without checking in here

https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish-a-guide-not-for-enquiries.52603/

Thread 'Learn How To Fish - A Guide - Not For Enquiries' ·

I have had a few newer members asking me for advice on how to spot a good vintage watch and what they should be on guard for. I've decided to post a little primer on how to assess vintage watches...

ConElPueblo · Feb 3, 2017

Edited: Thurs. 7:17pm

 

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SOG53

·Thurs. 7:27pm

This post describes difference between various gold watches

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-stories-a-brief-guide-to-gold-variants-gold-filled-vs-gold-capped-vs-gold-plated-vs-solid-gold.184365/

Thread 'Omega Stories: A Brief Guide to Gold Variants - Gold Filled vs Gold Capped vs Gold Plated Vs Solid Gold' ·

This is a very common question we get here and one that gets answered constantly so I figured I'd write a longer explanation of the differences and what my preferences are as a...

dsio · Jun 12, 2025

 

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chrisinohio

·Thurs. 9:29pm

A lot of good advice here. 2,000 would be about right for an outatanding example of this reference.

For starters, dial appears to have been refinished and the case is way too polished.

Keep learning, take a break, and proceed with caution.

 

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ErichKeane

·Thurs. 9:30pm

chrisinohio

A lot of good advice here. 2,000 would be about right for an outatanding example of this reference.

For starters, dial appears to have been refinished and the case is way too polished.

Keep learning, take a break, and proceed with caution.

A little higher than that these days (an outstanding capped or stainless has been going mid-2ks lately), but yes, this watch is a no-buy at 1/2 the price listed.