gold constellation watch

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obrYo

·Tues. 7:33am

Hello, this watch has been in my family for 50 years, since the 1970s. It’s hardly been worn as it’s rather flashy. The only time it was worn was when my grandfather went on a cruise.

You may notice that the watch is not perfect as the 4 numeral is missing. There is a story behind this. About 20 years ago when I inherited the watch from my Dad, I took it to a watch stall which was in an indoor market near Bond St tube for a valuation. The owner, a rather thickset fellow, asked if he could open the back. Being a bit wet behind the ears I said yes. During the process of opening the back he knocked the numeral off and popped the glass. Over the years, I became slightly less naive and started to wonder whether he’d defaced it on purpose.

Does any one know what model it is?
Also, I apologise if this is an inappropriate question for the forum, but approximately
how much is it worth?

Thank you for any help you can offer.

 

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felsby

·Tues. 8:09am·I don't see any option in settings or profile

Edit: Even with the missing hour marker, I'd say > 5k£. Case and bracelet are probably solid 18k gold, so with a weight estimate, you can start with assessing the gold value. Then multiply that with 1.5.
The missing marker should be possible to manufacture. Wouldn´t that make you feel better? And get the movement serviced at the same time.

Edited: Tues. 11:01am

 

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obrYo

·Tues. 10:03am

Thank you for your reply felsby. As in Antiques Roadshow, I’m truly shocked!

 

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kwh81

·Tues. 10:24am

I think felsby is either sarcastic or has an extra zero in the estimated value 😲

 

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obrYo

·Tues. 10:59am

Thank you kwh81 for keeping it real

 

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felsby

·Tues. 11:01am·I don't see any option in settings or profile

kwh81

I think felsby is either sarcastic or has an extra zero in the estimated value 😲

Oh, thanks - yes of course, conversion error on my part.

 

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kwh81

·Tues. 11:51am

obrYo

Thank you kwh81 for keeping it real

Yeah, didn't want you to get too excited with the valuation 👍

 

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kwh81

·Tues. 12:00pm

But that is a really nice watch with considerable value being apparently solid gold. These solid gold watches with integrated bracelets might be a rarer breed, but I'm sure someone has a information about the specific model. The knowledge of members here on this forum is amazing! Probably you need to have the case back opened to see the reference number that is on the inside to know for sure.

 

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Peemacgee

·Tues. 2:51pm

Welcome @obrYo

Your watch is most likely an English Shackman cased Constellation.
The design is likely based on a 168.004 or 168.010 but without the lugs.
As it has a gold dial, it is known as a deluxe version.
Almost certainly all 18k gold.

https://omega-constellation-collect...rom-advent-of-bretton-woods-monetary.html?m=1


Better pictures would help but it’s possible the dial has been repainted.
The case is in lovely condition but integrated bracelet watches are a difficult sell as the Milanese bracelets are either too small or too large and need cutting to reduce them to size.

This is a long way of agreeing with @felsby in saying that if the dial has been repainted the value is sadly in the gold weight. (Which will be considerable)

The panelled box is very nice and was meant for special Seamasters rather than Constellations. (And also has some value of its own.

Hope that helps.

 

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padders

·Tues. 5:02pm·Oooo subtitles!

felsby

Edit: Even with the missing hour marker, I'd say > 5k£. Case and bracelet are probably solid 18k gold, so with a weight estimate, you can start with assessing the gold value. Then multiply that with 1.5.
The missing marker should be possible to manufacture. Wouldn´t that make you feel better? And get the movement serviced at the same time.

Why multiply by 1.5? It doesn't work that way with these. If it were mint, I'd put it at gold scrap plus maybe £500. As it is that extra amount would be swallowed up by a service and fixing the dial. As such I'd suggest there is more like £2,500 there if it's 18K since I doubt the case, dial and bracelet weighs more than 50g. If it is in fact 9K then half that. A lot of UK domestic market stuff was 9K but that looks quite yellow so maybe it is indeed 18K.

 

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Peemacgee

·1:22am yesterday

padders

. As such I'd suggest there is more like £2,500 there if it's 18K since I doubt the case, dial and bracelet weighs more than 50g. If it is in fact 9K then half that. A lot of UK domestic market stuff was 9K but that looks quite yellow so maybe it is indeed 18K.

I don’t recall seeing anything other than an 18k Dennison or Shackman Constellation (not even 14k) so I think we can safely assume 18k gold.

It’s a watch that is definitely worth fixing if the OP is interested in wearing it.

 

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padders

·1:32am yesterday·Oooo subtitles!

Peemacgee

I don’t recall seeing anything other than an 18k Dennison or Shackman Constellation (not even 14k) so I think we can safely assume 18k gold.

It’s a watch that is definitely worth fixing if the OP is interested in wearing it.

Well it should be simple to check since usually there are hallmarks or other stamps on the bracelet clasp underside on UK cased models like this. Sometimes the case number is stamped there also.

Edited: 2:49am yesterday

 

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Trex66

·3:34am yesterday

I find it weird that he was able to pop the glass while opening the caseback, it seems like an impossibility unless he used a crystal lift which takes an effort to do

 

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Peemacgee

·3:47am yesterday

Trex66

I find it weird that he was able to pop the glass while opening the caseback, it seems like an impossibility unless he used a crystal lift which takes an effort to do

after market crystal that didn't fit properly?

 

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Trex66

·3:59am yesterday

Peemacgee

after market crystal that didn't fit properly?

Even if I have an aftermarket crystal that fits a little loose, i'd have it reinforced with the clear epoxy, a thin layer of it at the edge of the bezel where the crystal sits just to make sure it is secured. Well that's what I'd do. And even without it, it's hard to remove a somewhat loose crystal by hand unless there it is totally loose or perhaps off by more than 0.5mm. Anyway, I just find it weird.