Hi all, my very post here! I just bought my first ever vintage and it's a Constellation Cal 501.

I would like to check with all the experts here on the minute and second hands. I have noticed both these hands are bent slightly downwards. Being worried initially, I went to read up and found other brands to have this feature to prevent the scratching of the inner plexi crystal. Has anyone else noticed this on their watches?

 

Such an elegant design... welcome! I suspect the bending you are seeing is really just the effect of the hesalite crystal, i.e. an optical illusion and nothing of which to be concerned.

 

Some close ups

 

At first, I thought it was due to the convex crystal, but closer inspection shows the bend.

 

Looks like refraction to me. On the last picture, look at the 9:00 index marker. It is "bent" by refraction, just like that minute hand.

 

I thought so too until I looked at it from the top down. It's a very mild bend. Not concerning but

somewhat interesting after reading up on why some brands do it. I haven't read about omega doing it though.

 

Thanks for the welcome!

 

Welcome! nice sunny wristshot!

 

Thanks!

 

There's a simple rule for this which you learn in watchmaking school - it works in nearly all situations (there are always exceptions...):

Flat dial - flat hands.
Curved dial - curved hands (usually just the minute and second hands as the curvature is out there).

Basically, you're trying to make the hands follow the shape of the dial and as your dial curves down at the outside, the hands will too. Probably a lot of what you're seeing is the crystal distortion though. It's a very nice watch, enjoy!

Best regards, Chris

 

Very nice watch for openers! Nice choice. Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome to this wonderful forum!
I'll have to say that you did your entry with great style. That's a terrific watch to start with.

 

Good rule! I found it quite interesting that the designers of old went down to this detail.

 

Thank you sir!

 

Upon a recommendation of a great friend. For the lack of a better word, it's pretty intoxicating