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alberto63torres
·Hi, I'm a new member here trying to find some answers from all of the very knowledgeable people on this forum!
This was my grandfather's watch (original owner) before being willed to my dad. That was about 20 years ago, and I do not know why, but my dad never really wore it. Right before I went off to college, he had it serviced and gave it to me as a gift. I thought it was a beautiful piece, but only really took it out for the odd special event. Recently, I saw it in a drawer and randomly decided to learn more about it. And that's when I found this amazing vintage watch community and have been trying to learn as much as I possibly can (I think I might have "caught the bug", and foresee rough times ahead for my wallet).
From what I can tell (and I wont be able to confirm until I get it opened up), this is probably a 14381 (1959-1960) rose gold capped Constellation with the (uncommon?) rail track dial, probably with a 551 movement. I have no reason to think the watch itself is not genuine, but I do realize there are some issues present.
First, the crown does not match (not rose gold). I know it was replaced when my dad had it serviced, but from what I have seen, shouldn't this watch have a scalloped crown?
Beyond the incorrect crown, I also know the crystal was replaced at that same time.
I think the biggest issue it the missing text on the dial. The missing Chronometer and Swiss made seems like a jarring issue. Does it indicate a redial? Fake dial? Dial cleaning having "erased" those words? Like I stated previously, I have no reason to suspect the watch to not be genuine as its always been with the family, but the dial could have been messed with as part of a full servicing.
What does everyone think? Are there any glaring issues that I have missed? Would it ever be possible to get the correct crown in rose gold? Any more info I can get is well appreciated!!
This was my grandfather's watch (original owner) before being willed to my dad. That was about 20 years ago, and I do not know why, but my dad never really wore it. Right before I went off to college, he had it serviced and gave it to me as a gift. I thought it was a beautiful piece, but only really took it out for the odd special event. Recently, I saw it in a drawer and randomly decided to learn more about it. And that's when I found this amazing vintage watch community and have been trying to learn as much as I possibly can (I think I might have "caught the bug", and foresee rough times ahead for my wallet).
From what I can tell (and I wont be able to confirm until I get it opened up), this is probably a 14381 (1959-1960) rose gold capped Constellation with the (uncommon?) rail track dial, probably with a 551 movement. I have no reason to think the watch itself is not genuine, but I do realize there are some issues present.
First, the crown does not match (not rose gold). I know it was replaced when my dad had it serviced, but from what I have seen, shouldn't this watch have a scalloped crown?
Beyond the incorrect crown, I also know the crystal was replaced at that same time.
I think the biggest issue it the missing text on the dial. The missing Chronometer and Swiss made seems like a jarring issue. Does it indicate a redial? Fake dial? Dial cleaning having "erased" those words? Like I stated previously, I have no reason to suspect the watch to not be genuine as its always been with the family, but the dial could have been messed with as part of a full servicing.
What does everyone think? Are there any glaring issues that I have missed? Would it ever be possible to get the correct crown in rose gold? Any more info I can get is well appreciated!!
