How do vintage solid gold Omegas age?

Reminder about gold - it is a common misconception that 18k softer and less durable than 9 or 14k. It is harder.

I am interested in the same watch just about, but have been too anxious to pull the trigger, and would not spend this kind of money on internet without using this forum to check it over. I do like the Longines conquest de luxe of the same era. I think it is a great choice, annoyingly many people agree so the demand is high.

Forum member sellers are generally very fair on pricing. As you will have seen, these watches often have ridiculous asking prices on web. You need to be very patient.

I would also say this is a sharply diminishing return if you have a couple of watches. I love the small basic 9k cal 266 hand wound omega and steel pie pan below. I wouldn’t love an 18k constellation even twice as much despite, it being five or ten times the money. Perhaps I am consoling myself because I find myself unable to sell the minor pieces and have one

where did you source this information?

this from a scientific website discussing the relative hardness of precious metals:

“pure gold is 2.5, on the MOHs scale. That will not work for jewellery making…..for example at 14kt or 58% pure gold, its hardness gets bumped up to 3.5 – 4.”

Alloy Hardness as Cast Maximum Annealed Hardness
9 70 to 105 160 to 170
14 125 to 165 150 to 180
18 85 to 125 170 to 230 See 24carat.co.Uk

So 14k can be harder than 18k but 18 is harder than 9

but the mix of metals can make a big difference, as can casting and working