grandfather's watch. Insight needed please

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Hi. I am new to this and am hoping someone might be able to give me some info on my grandfather's watch

I never met the man he died when my mum was young.

My mum recently gave me his old watch. A Constellation in gold. It's amazing I want to know more about it. I have done some reading online but wondered if anyone had any insights. It was bought in 1964.

Bit scratched but mum says he loved it and wore it regularly. Anyway thanks again. Sorry for the long one.
Edited:
 
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Nice watch. Is the bracelet soldered on or a separate item?

Also. Signed bracelet or after market?
 
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What to say? Well, it seems to me to be a beautiful watch in excellent condition for its age.

Constellation with Pie-Pan dial, probably in 18K solid gold case & bracelet and with a 500 family movement (maybe a 561?).

By opening the gold case back you will obtain all the information on the type of gold, the movement it carries and reference numbers.
But please, don't try to open it yourself, take it to a good, experienced watchmaker.

The movement probably needs a service if it hasn't been serviced in a long time, but you would be very careful where you take that watch to have it serviced.

It is practically the same header model as this article:
https://monochrome-watches.com/history-of-the-omega-constellation-in-depth/
 
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What a wonderful heirloom!

Be very careful where you have it serviced. It is in outstanding condition.

Where are you located? Maybe some members can direct your path.
 
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The watch is quite nice with the original facets and lines of the case still visible. Often these get heavily polished which makes the case look blobby and the lugs like bent sticks. Please don't polish the case, the watch looks great! The crystal can be polished to remove scratches without adversely affecting the value. As @Asturianucu says, all the identifying info is on the inside, but don't try to open it unless you know what you are doing. Are you in the UK? If so, you can find good watchmaker recommendations here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/looking-for-a-uk-watchmaker.133557/
 
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It's beautiful.

Sorry, that's all I got.
 
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Nice family heirloom and serious amount of wrist bling.

As your watch falls in a transition period it could be a model no. 14903 or 168.006. Nothing really changed between the two models other than Omega updated their reference numbers. The 3 in the former and 6 in the later denotes a de luxe model with an 18k gold dial/case. Inside the case back will be stamped either 14902/3 or 168.005/6 as they share a case back with other non de luxe models. I expect the movement will be a cal 561 as it’s too early for a 564.

The Milanese bracelet (if genuine) would likely have been supplied as an accessory at point of sale. You will need to provide more detailed pics to verify authenticity.

You can find further reading on all Constellation models here http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/
And de luxe models specifically here https://download1648.mediafire.com/...0d9l7/Omega+Constellation+Deluxe+Dials+V4.pdf
 
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Well, @nottstime welcome and that is a fairly spectacular first post.

You have a very lovely watch.

@Noddyman has pretty much said it all in his description of your watch.

This watch really was the absolute pinnacle of Omega watches at the time it was produced. (Around 1963)

All I can say is - you are a very lucky and please post more pictures of your splendid watch.
 
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Nice watch. Is the bracelet soldered on or a separate item?

Also. Signed bracelet or after market?
Much is now known but this question above once answered will determine the value since a genuine removable Omega bracelet is worth rather more than a soldered on aftermarket one which would need very specialist work to remove or resize. A photo of the back and clasp should be enough to clarify all.
 
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Here is your watch in a UK catalog from 1967:

p25.jpg


http://www.old-omegas.com/cat67en.html

gatorcpa
 
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Almost.
That’s the Dennison cased version of the 14393/4.
They produced this for a lot of the 60s.
Likely to have a fixed bracelet too.
 
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Splendid watch. I never know what to expect when clicking on these threads - more often than not watches are in a very used state - but sometimes they look absolutely stunning like yours. Enjoy !
 
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Stunning watch and in beautiful condition. As others have advised, it likely needs to be serviced and you must be very careful in selecting an independent watchmaker with an Omega parts account who has considerable experience servicing vintage watches. Whatever you do, don't send it to Omega for servicing. If you tell us where you're located, we can likely provide you with some names of independent watchmakers who can properly service the watch and preserve its vintage character.
 
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That's quite nice!
Helps that you actually took a good picture of it too.
 
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Here is your watch in a UK catalog from 1967:

p25.jpg


http://www.old-omegas.com/cat67en.html

gatorcpa

Not sure it's the same bracelet. His has a gold rim at the case side edge. I don't see that on the factory ad image. Omega could have made a change after that, so until he responds. Won't know for sure
 
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Thank you all so much for your kind words. It has made both my mum and I smile with delight.
I will get more photos and definitely heed your advice.
Very interesting about not sending it to omega for servicing. Why is that?
 
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Omega will replace many parts to bring it up to their service standards and in doing so may negatively impact the value of a vintage watch, in the view of most collectors. In addition, Omega will keep the watch for months and will be very expensive. If you can find an independent watchmaker with Omega parts account, they are usually more sensitive to the wishes of vintage watch collectors and can service the watch while preserving the appeal and value of a vintage watch. You can ask for a service plan and quote outlining what the watchmaker suggests and post it here for advice and input from very experienced collectors who have already commented on your watch and will be available to help you through the process.
 
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Almost.
That’s the Dennison cased version of the 14393/4.
They produced this for a lot of the 60s.
Likely to have a fixed bracelet too.
Not sure it's the same bracelet. His has a gold rim at the case side edge. I don't see that on the factory ad image. Omega could have made a change after that, so until he responds. Won't know for sure

As noted above, the confusion with the Old Omegas image is that the OP watch is a dog leg and the model shown in the brochure with the similar bracelet is a curved lug model. Note the leading 5 in two of the model numbers listed there. This indicates UK production. Based on the date, the curved lug catalogue watch with the OP bracelet are likely DS&S (Shackman & Sons) rather than Dennison production since the latter were defunct by the mid 60s. It is just possible that the OP watch is early enough to be a Dennison model but I doubt it. Shackman made some lovely bracelets (not sure Dennison made any in fact) so even if not Swiss it is still high quality. There is the real possibility though that it is soldered on to the head which is a big negative since obviously it can't be easily removed, indeed removal without professional skill can lead to damage to otherwise very nice lugs. Bracelets like this often have very little adjustment, also an issue with resale value, though not an issue if it fits correctly and resale is of no import.
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IIRC Dennison closed up shop in ‘67 and Shackman took over their work. ( so the watch in the advert could be either)

Either way, if English, the bracelet is likely to be Shackman.