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I haven't been able to find much information on my Omega online - can anybody help?

LouisLG
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Hello all,

I bought a 198.0024 Omega Constellation, however I have not been able to find much information about it. I know that it houses an electronic movement by Bulova and that its from the early 70s but i haven't been able to find anything beyond that. It has a beautiful blue 'waffle' dial, but I couldn't find one similar without the weekday in that colour. The following are my questions:

- Is it original?

- How often should it be serviced? I have heard that the movement tends to be a little fragile.

- What is it approximately worth? (with box but without papers)

I am fairly new to the world of Omega and watches in general, so excuse my lack of knowledge 😀 Here are some pictures:
IMG_5331.webp IMG_5332.webp IMG_5333.webp IMG_5334.webp
 
ahartfie
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Looks original to me. I have its black-dialed sibling.

If it’s accurate it shouldn’t need servicing.

I paid $500-ish for mine in 2014.

IMG_2677.webp
 
dsio
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Cool piece! The metallic blue dial looks lovely and tuning fork watches in good shape are worth taking care of for sure
 
LouisLG
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ahartfie ahartfie
Looks original to me. I have its black-dialed sibling.

If it’s accurate it shouldn’t need servicing.

I paid $500-ish for mine in 2014.

IMG_2677.webp
It seems to be very accurate, it tends to only lose 10-15 seconds a week. Looks stunning in black as well!
Thank you!
 
LouisLG
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dsio dsio
Cool piece! The metallic blue dial looks lovely and tuning fork watches in good shape are worth taking care of for sure
Thank you! The smooth second hand and the gentle hum has to be one of the most mesmerising things in the world - definitely a keeper!
 
Canuck
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Movement is not by Bulova. It is likely an ESA calibre 9162 which, like Bulova Accutron tuning fork watches, has a tuning fork of which you are aware. The calibre 9162 movement is often marked “Licensed by Bulova”. Similar to the Accutron, but otherwise quite different. Bulova owned the patent on Accutron movements, requiring the labelling. Value? Depends on what sellers are asking, and what payers are paying. I have two Omega F 300s, and an Eterna (Eterna Sonic, same movement). Total expenditure for all 3? $50.00 (Cdn.). But if you really want one, and you like it, and it runs, pay what you have to.
Edited:
 
Foo2rama
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Echoing @dsio

Super cool piece and I’ve never seen the blue dial variant.

Hard to value these don’t come up that often, your not paying for a year of college for someone… not even a US junior college…

But something a lot of collectors would love to have. Welcome to the weird world of watch values.
 
B
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These are worth about £400 to £600 UKP over here.
I love a hummer, I have four Omegas with 916x movements. I also have an Omega Electroquartz and a Bulova Spaceview. And of course a large stack of batteries...
 
LouisLG
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B BrokenSkunk
These are worth about £400 to £600 UKP over here.
I love a hummer, I have four Omegas with 916x movements. I also have an Omega Electroquartz and a Bulova Spaceview. And of course a large stack of batteries...
Wow thats more than what I paid, so thank you! How often do they need a battery change in your experience?
 
LouisLG
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Foo2rama Foo2rama
Echoing @dsio

Super cool piece and I’ve never seen the blue dial variant.

Hard to value these don’t come up that often, your not paying for a year of college for someone… not even a US junior college…

But something a lot of collectors would love to have. Welcome to the weird world of watch values.
Thank you! The blue/grey-ish dial is even prettier in person. It certainly seems like a weird world, especially when it comes to more niche watches like this.
 
LouisLG
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Canuck Canuck
Movement is not by Bulova. It is likely an ESA calibre 9162 which, like Bulova Accutron tuning fork watches, has a tuning fork of which you are aware. The calibre 9162 movement is often marked “Licensed by Bulova”. Similar to the Accutron, but otherwise quite different. Bulova owned the patent on Accutron movements, requiring the labelling. Value? Depends on what sellers are asking, and what payers are paying. I have two Omega F 300s, and an Eterna (Eterna Sonic, same movement). Total expenditure for all 3? $50.00 (Cdn.). But if you really want one, and you like it, and it runs, pay what you have to.
I didn’t know that, thanks! Seems like you got a good deal, though 😀
 
Bruce235
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They should get a service to keep the gear works clean and lubed. Every 10 years or so if you like it. Otherwise it will stop eventually.
 
Trith72
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That is a very cool looking watch, it almost looks like it's missing a bezel though. In fact I would have sworn it was with the crystal standing proud like that, until the second pic of the black one below it proved me wrong. Maybe I've just gotten too used to my Speedmaster's bezel and everything without one feels naked now.
 
LouisLG
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Bruce235 Bruce235
They should get a service to keep the gear works clean and lubed. Every 10 years or so if you like it. Otherwise it will stop eventually.
There's a guy in Copenhagen that services tuning fork watches - might pay him a visit in the future, then
 
LouisLG
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Trith72 Trith72
That is a very cool looking watch, it almost looks like it's missing a bezel though. In fact I would have sworn it was with the crystal standing proud like that, until the second pic of the black one below it proved me wrong. Maybe I've just gotten too used to my Speedmaster's bezel and everything without one feels naked now.
haha yeah it would have to be a very small bezel, since its only a 35mm case
 
B
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LouisLG LouisLG
Wow thats more than what I paid, so thank you! How often do they need a battery change in your experience?
You did well. I'm a bit jealous, it's a nice watch.

If the watch is set up properly I think a 916x should draw about 1.5uA. The cell are around 10mAh, so 10mAh/.0015mA = 6666Hours.
There are 8766 hours per year, so 6666/8766 = 0.76 years or 9.13 months. 1.5uA and 10mAh figures are from memory, could be wrong but I vaugely remember looking them up as I had the same question.

When I'm not wearing mine I pull the crowns out and slide a little cardboard spacer between crown and case to stop it being accidentally popped back in. There's a switch that turns the 916x off when the crown is fully out, so there's zero draw on the battery in this state.

EDIT: If you are UK based, the Croydon Watch Centre will service these.
 
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