Help identifying Omega Constellation

JimP303 · Nov 16, 2022

Hi All, I'm a complete newbie here looking for a bit of help in a world of vintage watch collecting that I did not know existed until a few weeks ago.
I have inherited my grandfather's Omega Constellation. I don't have the tools to be able to open up the back to discover the identification numbers. But I would like to know a bit more about it, if possible, just from the external features.
Having trawled the internet for hours I have seen lots of Constellations but none that seem to match this one. In particular mine does not have a calendar, which almost all of the other ones seem to have.
My grandfather lived in the UK but travelled the world as a merchant seaman. So, it is possible that he bought the watch in the middle or far east. As you can see from the photographs the watch is in its original, uncleaned condition. I don't know if the strap is original or not. It has not been worn for over 25 years (I put it on my wrist just for the photo).
Any help gratefully received.

PlainVanilla · Nov 16, 2022

Hello Jim,

Firstly, I am sorry for your loss.
Now about the matter at hand: you have got a watch from your grandpa, and that's something that you can treasure in itself.
But not only you got that watch from your grandpa, this is a very fine watch indeed. To me, everything checks out and you've got a beautiful gold plated Omega Constellation dog legs. I see your grandpa wore it the Japanese way, with the shorter part of the strap on the bottom. This watch will need a service at a good local watchmaker (not at Omega) and a new strap, and then you're ready to go. You have a very beautiful watch to wear and enjoy here!

janice&fred · Nov 16, 2022

I believe the gold sections are capped which is much better than plated, and she is a beauty for sure 👍

PlainVanilla · Nov 16, 2022

Reference number likely 167.005.

Peemacgee · Nov 16, 2022

Welcome @JimP303

As above, you have a very nice inherited watch.

It is a gold capped, dome dialled, no date, dogleg constellation.
The gold cap is a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal (steel) case.
( you can see the thickness of the gold on the back of the lugs)
The bezel and medallion are solid gold.

I’m almost certain that the dial has gold indices with onyx inserts

It has the original crystal which will polish up nicely ( you can see the little omega symbol in the centre)

The watch is likely to date between ‘63- ‘67 ish.

Most likely a 167.005, with a cal 551 movt.

you can read more about constellations on Desmond’s splendid site.
http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

If you intend wearing the watch, you should have the watch serviced - but instructions not to polish the case are essential if you want to retain the shape of the watch.

hope that helps

Bruce235 · Nov 16, 2022

Not having a calendar is not a big deal, many people prefer the more symmetrical look. Very nice example to wear with pride.

JimP303 · Nov 18, 2022

Thank you all for all of your replies and the information.
Peemacgee, that's a nice explanation of what I am looking at. I had not noticed that you can see the thickness of the gold cap by looking at the lugs. And thank you for pointing out the little omega symbol in the middle of the crystal. I had not even noticed that it was there! Is the symbol on the inside surface (so won't get worn away during polishing)?
Couple of follow up questions. How easy is it to clean up the external gold surfaces of the watch? There is dirt in the edges of the bezel and at the base of the lugs. What's the safest method to remove that dirt and get the gold looking good but without polishing off the sharp case edges?
And how can I go about polishing the crystal to remove all the small scratches without doing any damage?
Are there things that I can safely do myself (that do not involve any element of dismantling as I don't have the equipment)?
At the moment I'm unsure whether to keep the watch as an heirloom, in which case I would like to clean it up a little, perhaps put a new strap on it, and put it on display. Or sell it, as it is not a watch that I am likely to wear myself and the cost of a proper service seems disproportionate for an item that I am unlikely to use. Though that may be heresy to post on a forum dedicated to Omega watches! Apologies
Thanks again for your feedback

Peemacgee · Nov 18, 2022

JimP303
Thank you all for all of your replies and the information.
Peemacgee, that's a nice explanation of what I am looking at. I had not noticed that you can see the thickness of the gold cap by looking at the lugs. And thank you for pointing out the little omega symbol in the middle of the crystal. I had not even noticed that it was there! Is the symbol on the inside surface (so won't get worn away during polishing)?
Couple of follow up questions. How easy is it to clean up the external gold surfaces of the watch? There is dirt in the edges of the bezel and at the base of the lugs. What's the safest method to remove that dirt and get the gold looking good but without polishing off the sharp case edges?
And how can I go about polishing the crystal to remove all the small scratches without doing any damage?
Are there things that I can safely do myself (that do not involve any element of dismantling as I don't have the equipment)?
At the moment I'm unsure whether to keep the watch as an heirloom, in which case I would like to clean it up a little, perhaps put a new strap on it, and put it on display. Or sell it, as it is not a watch that I am likely to wear myself and the cost of a proper service seems disproportionate for an item that I am unlikely to use. Though that may be heresy to post on a forum dedicated to Omega watches! Apologies
Thanks again for your feedback

If you were going to keep the watch, then I would advise a service by a suitably qualified watchmaker.
They would dismantle the watch and give the case (and movt) a clean in a sonic bath - so no polishing necessary to get rid of any grime.

If you are dead-set on cleaning the watch of grime, you could try using a very soft, dry, toothbrush but if you are going to sell the watch, I would advise that you do nothing to the watch at all - those who know what they are looking at would prefer to see it in 'as found' condition - and in that way you don't risk damaging the case by trying to clean it (especially those lugs).

If you wanted to, you could try 'polywatch' on the crystal to clean it up a bit (taping off the bezel first) - the omega symbol is on the inside, so you won't polish it off

but I probably wouldn't bother with that either as this watch is good enough to attract collectors rather than just 'Joe public'.

Of course, as you would expect, we are likely to advise here on an Omega enthusiasts forum for you to keep the watch, once an inherited watch is gone, it's gone.

BTW a no-date Connie is more desirable than a date version as there were fewer made. (and it is more of a 'dress' watch)
However, a dome dial Connie is less desirable than a pie-pan and a gold cap case is less desirable than a stainless steel case.
In saying that, in that condition it's still worth something around say $1000 -1,200, perhaps even a little more to the right buyer. (you will see them on sale for much more - but these are aspirational / retail prices, not private sales prices)

If you don't actually need that kind of money - keep it for you and the next generation.
(and wear it!)

hope that helps

JimP303 · Nov 18, 2022

Thanks for every element of that very speedy reply Peemacgee. Good clear advice on my options. That all makes perfect sense to me.
Except the bit about stainless steel versions being more desirable than the gold capped ones. Is that simply down to rarity? Or is it aesthetics?
All the best

Peemacgee · Nov 18, 2022

JimP303
Thanks for every element of that very speedy reply Peemacgee. Good clear advice on my options. That all makes perfect sense to me.
Except the bit about stainless steel versions being more desirable than the gold capped ones. Is that simply down to rarity? Or is it aesthetics?
All the best

Purely aesthetics/desirability

More people wear SS than gold watches - and to some, gold cap is a 'poor-man's' solid gold watch.
Whilst a gold-cap watch was more expensive when new, both reasons make gold cap watches less desirable.

JimP303 · Nov 18, 2022

Thanks Peemacgee.
When I was a kid in the 70's we had a Wolsely 16/60 with a red leather interior. It's a classic now but back then it was an unreliable rust-bucket. They were nicknamed the "poor man's Rolls Royce". I guess it ran in the family (no pun intended, in fact cars and watches - that's a double pun!)

Peemacgee · Nov 18, 2022

JimP303
Thanks Peemacgee.
When I was a kid in the 70's we had a Wolsely 16/60 with a red leather interior. It's a classic now but back then it was an unreliable rust-bucket. They were nicknamed the "poor man's Rolls Royce". I guess it ran in the family (no pun intended, in fact cars and watches - that's a double pun!)

Don't get me wrong - there was nothing 'poor-man' about the constellation when it was new.
The constellation was the top of the range Omega watch at that time. - and that really meant something.

It is only today's sensibilities which deem the watch less desirable than a stainless steel version.

PlainVanilla · Nov 18, 2022

Omega was the number 1 wartchmaker in the world at the time, sales wise. It was the most well known, also. Now, Omega still holds the second position. Rolex is number one for around 20-25 years and before that, Omega hold that title for a Century.

They were also one of the most successful watchmakers at the Geneva observatory trials, alongside Patek Philippe.

So what you have here is a Constellation, which is the pinnacle product of the number one watchmaker from that era, from a time when watches actually meant something. You needed one to be able to tell the time without looking for a clock on a church, administrative building or warehouse. These things needed to be reliable, and also told something about the person wearing them. The Constellation was a very accurate watch, and it came with a price. It was also - and still is - a very delicate and beautiful piece of design. Very much the symbol of one's success and good taste.

Obviously, you are likely to get that advice on the Omega Forums, but I sincerely think you should get it serviced and wear it. It's an object that's close to you, and it's also a beautiful watch that you can wear with anything and that will only increase in value (both financial and emotional). Just service it, keep it away from water, moisture and shock and you will enjoy the hell out of it for a very long time. And with a good strap, it will look absolutely stunning on your wrist.

Here are some pages of old UK catalogues about your watch:

JimP303 · Nov 18, 2022

Thanks PlainVanilla. Talking me into it. And it's great to see some of the old adverts and docs. Much appreciated.
Grandad was a merchant seaman with Cunard and ended his career as a Chief Engineer. So accurate timekeeping would have been important to him. And I expect having a good dress watch to wear with full dress uniform would have been important too.

PlainVanilla · Nov 18, 2022

JimP303
Thanks PlainVanilla. Talking me into it. And it's great to see some of the old adverts and docs. Much appreciated.
Grandad was a merchant seaman with Cunard and ended his career as a Chief Engineer. So accurate timekeeping would have been important to him. And I expect having a good dress watch to wear with full dress uniform would have been important too.

Cunard, amazing.
Do you have pictures of him in uniform wearing the watch?

Help identifying Omega Constellation

JimP303

PlainVanilla

janice&fred

PlainVanilla

Peemacgee

Bruce235

JimP303

Peemacgee

JimP303

Peemacgee

JimP303

Peemacgee

PlainVanilla

JimP303

PlainVanilla

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