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HELP—Omega Constellation

Y
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New Omega Vintage Fan—Long time Rolex aficionado. Daughter getting married and asked for help in finding a reasonable vintage watch to her fiancée as wedding gift. I looked all over and went down many rabbit holes.

Finally landed on one I liked and she absolutely loved: Pie Pan SS Tropical Dial. I realize these dials are polarizing. What did I buy here—acceptable or a dog? Pretty confident I can flip it Igbo got hosed.

What model, est age, value? Went for $1300 on eBay. I’d guessed it would go for $1000.

What size watch strap should I get—18mm?

Appreciate all feedback. Roast away…lol

IMG_7816.webp IMG_7817.webp IMG_7818.webp IMG_7819.webp
 
TexOmega
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If you paid $1300 USD/EURO then that is the value, now.

Whether you can find a newbie down the road who'll pay that value is always the trickiest part of this hobby. A collector would not, at least this one, and I haven't even seen the movement.

Newbie tax is hard.

I may change my mind with pix that better show this watch. HiRez, in focus and not highly processed and not highly over- exposed. And in natural light(sunshine)

I hope your future son in law enjoys his watch as your daughter enjoys seeing him wear it.
Edited:
 
ErichKeane
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Without looking under the case back, I can't be sure, but it is probably a ref 2943 (so late 58-62 or so). Obviously you see the inscription.

Case is a little over-polished, and it is unfortunately a dial that has been repainted in a few places (particularly the minute markers.. it looks like the turned-down area of it has had its paint/texture removed, and probably needed the minute markers re-painted at the same time. So that is why it went as low as it did, I'm a bit shocked it went that high of course.

Crown looks to be a replacement as well, which is both a blessing and a curse, the 10 sided crowns are pretty awesome looking, but more difficult to use. Unfortunately it is a generic replacement, I'd rather have a signed one.

It IS of course a 18mm lug width, so any strap that you like, I prefer a nice black leather with a case like that, though brown might go with the dial.

In the end, I would personally prefer something in better shape/a better state, but if you guys like it, than it is a lovely watch.

I WOULD however VERY much suggest getting it serviced ASAP (find a good watchmaker!), and making sure to test it for water-tightness. IF your future-SIL isn't used to vintage, he could very well ruin it further washing hands/etc.
 
Y
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Thank you both for your feedback and the kindness. Fully realize I’m under water on this—trying to find a cool vintage in her price point was almost impossible.

Will get serviced asap.
 
ErichKeane
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TBH, if she wanted something other than a Pie Pan, there are plenty of that vintage/newer in great shape to be had at that price point.
 
Dan S
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The dial is a matter of taste, if the daughter likes the aging of the dial, that's good. The crown would bother me, TBH, so I'd probably be looking to replace it.
 
nanjingcigaretes
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The reference is probably 14393, with Cal. 561 inside.
At today’s market, I think you may have overpaid by a couple hundred, assuming the movement is correct. So not ideal, but probably not a big deal either.
That said, it will likely need a proper service, a correct crown, and a nice strap. For this reference, either a decagon crown or a thin scalloped crown would be appropriate. All in, you’re probably looking at another $400–500 to turn it into a decent, wearable piece.
Lugwidth is 18mm btw.
 
TimeODanaos
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Unless your future SiL actually is Forest L. Johnson, I can foresee him failing to appreciate the effort you have put into finding and selecting this. Some collectors do enjoy caseback inscriptions, but I'm not sure this is the right occasion to find out.
My $0.02...
 
skand
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It looks like a Connie Pie Pan ref. 14393, cal. 561. In my opinion, prices for Pie Pans have gone crazy, so if the movement is in good condition, you won't lose money on this watch.
 
ErichKeane
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skand skand
It looks like a Connie Pie Pan ref. 14393, cal. 561. In my opinion, prices for Pie Pans have gone crazy, so if the movement is in good condition, you won't lose money on this watch.
You can get a complete 550 series movement (561 included, though I see quite a few 565s) for about $400-$600. You can get complete 561 watches for ~$600-700.
 
skand
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
You can get a complete 550 series movement (561 included, though I see quite a few 565s) for about $400-$600. You can get complete 561 watches for ~$600-700.

Show me where I can buy complete Connies at this price, and I'll buy a whole bucket of them
 
hugh162
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TimeODanaos TimeODanaos
Unless your future SiL actually is Forest L. Johnson, I can foresee him failing to appreciate the effort you have put into finding and selecting this. Some collectors do enjoy caseback inscriptions, but I'm not sure this is the right occasion to find out.
My $0.02...
Right, never mind whether you paid a fair price or not… if I were getting a wedding gift I sure wouldn’t want a watch with someone else’s name on it. If there’s any engraving at all it should be the wedding date or something related. I think this alone disqualifies the watch. Just my (additional) two cents
 
Caliber561
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skand skand
Show me where I can buy complete Connies at this price, and I'll buy a whole bucket of them
168.004s still go within this range fairly regularly, albeit with dome dials and in iffy condition.
 
skand
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Caliber561 Caliber561
168.004s still go within this range fairly regularly, albeit with dome dials and in iffy condition.

Your example of an uncertain condition 168.004 doesn't apply here. The original post was about units in complete condition.
 
Caliber561
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skand skand
Your example of an uncertain condition 168.004 doesn't apply here. The original post was about units in complete condition.

I don't see any mention of condition in regards to 561 watches, just 'complete.' Even then, that adjusted to be in reference to valuing movements, not complete watches. Anyways, I'm just providing another data point.

ErichKeane ErichKeane
You can get a complete 550 series movement (561 included, though I see quite a few 565s) for about $400-$600. You can get complete 561 watches for ~$600-700.
 
skand
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I have every Connie reference in my collection, starting from the first 2648 (2 units) cal 352, but I’ve never been lucky enough to find a complete one for $700
 
Peemacgee
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Welcome @Yugga

Your future son in law should be pleased that your daughter has such good taste as to want to buy him a Constellation.

I think the crowd are being a bit harsh regarding the watch.

I’m not into patinated dials myself (we shy away from using the word ‘tropical’ on this side of the garden fence) but it is quite even and has a pleasant lived-in vibe.
Better pics of the dial would help assess overall condition.

The case looks pretty good to me.
The engraving is just part of its history- it’s a shame the engraving isn’t dated as that would place it in time.

As above, ref is 14393 -so, no earlier than ‘60 and no later than ‘62. (Although, technically, it could have been sold later)
Cal 561, one of the best vintage movements Omega ever made, with semi quickset date.

It’s definitely worth getting the watch serviced and replacing the crown at that point, as it’s part of the waterproofing system.
Unfortunately, the original crowns are not available and the available replacement looks bit like the one that is on there at the minute.

As for cost, we have witnessed a steady rise in costs for pie pans recently- blame internet trends - so, whilst this watch might have cost 2/3rds the cost 12 months ago (assuming the dial hasn’t been repainted) I don’t think you did too badly in the current market.

I hope your future son in law enjoys the watch.
 
ErichKeane
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skand skand
Your example of an uncertain condition 168.004 doesn't apply here. The original post was about units in complete condition.
Yes it does? Iffy condition is still complete. And fairly matches the OP.
 
ErichKeane
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Yes it does? Iffy condition is still complete. And fairly matches the OP.
Also; look at what I said, complete 561 watches. These two I got in the last year sub-$500 each, a 552 and a 565. Both complete watches :

PXL_20260312_165512238.webp PXL_20260312_165559255.webp
 
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