Help me authenticate this 1961 Omega Constellation 14831.61SC

Hello.

I am new to vintage Omega and wonder if the more seasoned collectors could cast their eyes over photographs of a 1961 Connie I am looking to buy. I have researched the model extensively and everything seems fine to me, from the case lines to the subtly freckled dial to the 10 sided crown. Have I missed anything or are there any red flags?

Here are some photos of the watch below. Thank you in advance!



Cheers.

straight on images of the watch with hands away from the text would help assess the watch.

Also images of the rear and if possible inner case back and movt.

Thank you very much for your reply. Please see below additional photos as requested. Thank you in advance I appreciate your time very much.

Always best to post as many images you have of the watch.

OK - So this is the same watch, with the fabricated bezel, that you posted previously in this thread
(link added so readers can cross reference the comments should they wish to)

Presumably, you have an image of the inner case back? - It may not be a '61 but if it says 14381-61 in the inner case back, it was the iteration first released in 1961.
The serial number will be a better guide to the year.

From my point of view it is a nice enough watch.
The case is pretty good - and if you hadn't mentioned the bezel I don't think anyone would have questioned it's originality.
The seller was honest in raising the bezel, however, whilst a non-original bezel doesn't affect the aesthetic enjoyment of the watch, it does affect the resale value (originality always commands a premium)

The dial does have quite a bit of bubbling to the lacquer coat and some minimal black spotting - this is not unusual and as you can see, it is likely only seen at certain angles but it does, once again, affect the value of the watch.

Difficult to see from the images provided but the lume may have been cleaned from the ends of the indices.

The crystal is a non-omega replacement - not a big deal but the crystal does form part of the waterproofing on a Constellation.

The movt looks clean but if proof of (a proper) service isn't provided then factor in a service.

You said previously that the watch was AUD$2500 ($1550 / £1200).

With the items listed above I personally think it is a bit expensive, probably by about AUD$500.

However, if you can't find another similar watch to suit your tastes then this may be the watch for you.

Hope that helps.

Chiming in here as someone who prioritize personal wearability -- looks decent enough to me, especially the case. The dial patina is rather common in examples I have seen. If this pops up in auctions, I would probably bid up to 1k CHF, so total cost at ~1.3k CHF after hammer fee and shipping.

If you are new to vintage watches, or watches in general, why not get a decent one and wear it in daily rotation? I often found wearing the watch to be the true test of how much I liked a particular watch model. Sometimes, eyes tricks the brain.

This is great advice.

I said in the other thread you posted that I thought this would be a really nice watch to wear. It's not without issues (the bezel and the slight bubbling on the dial), but few vintage watches are flawless (and if the are, they will cost significantly more). If it runs well, and there's no reason it shouldn't, I think this would be a really easy watch to wear and would look great on the wrist. Get it out in the sunshine and you won't notice any of the flaws.

Whether that means it's worth the asking price is up to you.

Thank you @Lbreak @HorsinTime and @Peemacgee

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about the watch. The seller has sent me a few more pictures which seem to more clearly capture the bubbling. Would you say, based on what is reasonable to expect in such an old watch, it is acceptable? Would I realistically be able to find one in better condition for AUD$2500 (£1200, US$1500, CHF1300)?



It does look like a really nice watch in the video the dealer sent me, which I have attempted to attach here.

As to the lume issue, the seller says because there is no "T" after "SWISS MADE" the watch never had lume. Is this correct? I understand T would refer to Tritium to warn buyers given its radioactivity? That is certainly something I do not want in my collection.

I welcome your additional thoughts.

Thank you once again!

@wombat_time

as @Davidt says, the watch has lume and, now you can see it, the colour does look like radium.


As I mentioned earlier, it is a good looking watch - however, the bubbling on the dial is quite prominent.
Many dials have this bubbling but not all and those that have it should be priced accordingly.

I'll stick with my stance of it being notably overpriced.
Better to be patient and pay a couple of hundred more if you have to and get a good watch with no issues.