Inherited 1960 Omega Constellation

Yo32Leigh · Dec 8, 2021

I have recently been lucky enough to inherit an Omega watch from my late grandparents estate. It has been fascinating researching Omega watches in general and I'm hoping you may be able to provide some more specific knowledge. The watch was purchased new and from what I can acertain is entirely original, including the leather strap. Unfortunately we have no original paperwork or the original box. The watch has not been used for over 20yrs so I want to do it justice and have it serviced. I guess the obvious question is, is it worth the expense? Omega are quoting £350 although I suspect I may be able to have it serviced for less. Any info or approx valuations you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

SkunkPrince · Dec 8, 2021

Of course it's worth the expense! It belonged to your grandfather, and now it's up to you to take care of it.

Because you're quoting price in sterling, your local go-to guy is Simon Freese. Mostly everything looks like it's in good condition except for the cracked bezel, which is a huge bummer, but Mr Freese should be able to help with that. You also need new crown and crystal, and finding the original style crown (hint: what you got ain't it) might take a while and cost some extra money.

All in all, heck yeah it's worth it, because Omega watches are among the best in the world, chronometers are of good quality, and it belonged in your family and needs to remain so.

Be aware that a watch like this needs to be cleaned and lubricated every five years or so. Yes, this costs some money, but that is part of the ownership of a fine watch such as this.

Good luck and I hope you decide to get it serviced, keep it, and wear it.

Yo32Leigh · Dec 9, 2021

SkunkPrince
Of course it's worth the expense! It belonged to your grandfather, and now it's up to you to take care of it.

Because you're quoting price in sterling, your local go-to guy is Simon Freese. Mostly everything looks like it's in good condition except for the cracked bezel, which is a huge bummer, but Mr Freese should be able to help with that. You also need new crown and crystal, and finding the original style crown (hint: what you got ain't it) might take a while and cost some extra money.

All in all, heck yeah it's worth it, because Omega watches are among the best in the world, chronometers are of good quality, and it belonged in your family and needs to remain so.

Be aware that a watch like this needs to be cleaned and lubricated every five years or so. Yes, this costs some money, but that is part of the ownership of a fine watch such as this.

Good luck and I hope you decide to get it serviced, keep it, and wear it.

Thanks for your prompt reply and the recommendations made. Rest assured I have every intention of keeping and wearing this watch. Although the watch came from my Grandparents estate, it belonged to my Grandmothers second or third husband, consequently the sentimental value is diminished somewhat. The question with regards to 'worth the expense' was essentially one of economics. Obviously spending hundreds of pounds on refurbishment and servicing would only be viable if the intrinsic value of the watch exceeds any outlay. I'm guessing in some cases it may not be economically viable and leaving the watch in it's current working state may be more sensible. For insurance purposes I need to identify any single item with a value over £500 which I'm assuming this may be based on servicing costs etc. Could you give me an idea of the watches value? As you suggested I have made contact with Simon Freese with regards to the repairs/replacement parts you have identified. Thanks again for your continued advice and expertise.

SkunkPrince · Dec 9, 2021

I only know dollars, so forgive me if this is confusing.

There is no Constellation in good condition worth less than $1000. You reference its "current working state". It's not. That it runs is good but that is meaningless. This watch must be serviced before it is regularly worn. Lubrication that dried out decades ago just means wear on the pivots the lubrication was meant to protect.

There is no economic sense in caring for a mechanical watch with its associated cost of ownership. You can get an electronic watch for $2 that will keep time. That said, I have a friend who delights in ridiculing me for buying an AM transmitter to play 30s music on the 1934 RCA console radio that once belonged to my grandparents. I started restoration of this radio while I was still in high school and put in significant time finding the original tubes (you call them "valves") that it would have had when it was new.

Your decision is going to be emotional, not rational, and that's fine. Most of us who enjoy mechanical watches have accepted the cost of ownership and found it acceptable.

Davidt · Dec 9, 2021

In a nutshell, if you’re going to sell it, sell it now, un-serviced. The cost of a service will not increase the value by the same amount.

However, if you’re keeping it, a dome dial Constellation with a nice original dial (assuming it is nice under that crystal), will be worth c.£1000. Bear in mind the bezel is an issue. It will cost to have it repaired or replaced and will significantly lower the value as is.

Yo32Leigh · Dec 9, 2021

SkunkPrince
I only know dollars, so forgive me if this is confusing.

There is no Constellation in good condition worth less than $1000. You reference its "current working state". It's not. That it runs is good but that is meaningless. This watch must be serviced before it is regularly worn. Lubrication that dried out decades ago just means wear on the pivots the lubrication was meant to protect.

There is no economic sense in caring for a mechanical watch with its associated cost of ownership. You can get an electronic watch for $2 that will keep time. That said, I have a friend who delights in ridiculing me for buying an AM transmitter to play 30s music on the 1934 RCA console radio that once belonged to my grandparents. I started restoration of this radio while I was still in high school and put in significant time finding the original tubes (you call them "valves") that it would have had when it was new.

Your decision is going to be emotional, not rational, and that's fine. Most of us who enjoy mechanical watches have accepted the cost of ownership and found it acceptable.

Thanks again for your reply. I take your point about costs associated with mechanical watch ownership. This is all new to me and to be honest had I not been gifted this watch, I probably would never have dabbled. That been said, I'm keen to maintain and use this watch and now accept this comes with a certain amount of financial commitment. Just waiting to see how much Simon is going to quote to get to where I want to be with this watch.

Yo32Leigh · Dec 9, 2021

Davidt
In a nutshell, if you’re going to sell it, sell it now, un-serviced. The cost of a service will not increase the value by the same amount.

However, if you’re keeping it, a dome dial Constellation with a nice original dial (assuming it is nice under that crystal), will be worth c.£1000. Bear in mind the bezel is an issue. It will cost to have it repaired or replaced and will significantly lower the value as is.

Hi David, thanks for your reply.
I totally accept the service will add no value, I was just conscious of spending more than the watch is realistically worth. I'm waiting to hear for a quote to restore/replace the watches bezel, crown and crystal. Assuming these items are remedied, would £1000 be a fair evaluation for insurance purposes?

Davidt · Dec 9, 2021

I sold a dome dial constellation in great condition a year or two ago for around £750. However mine had ‘dog leg’ lugs. Yours with the earlier lugs is more desirable and the market has increased slightly so I think £1k is reasonable.

Other collectors who are more active in this market may be able to give a more accurate indication.

JwRosenthal · Dec 9, 2021

Yo32Leigh
Thanks again for your reply. I take your point about costs associated with mechanical watch ownership. This is all new to me and to be honest had I not been gifted this watch, I probably would never have dabbled. That been said, I'm keen to maintain and use this watch and now accept this comes with a certain amount of financial commitment. Just waiting to see how much Simon is going to quote to get to where I want to be with this watch.

Just think of if a family member left you a vintage Jaguar and the cost to get it to be a daily runner was $1k. Any one of us would whip out that credit card.
You will love this watch after it’s brought back up to snuff and if you don’t, you can sell it and recoup your investment and then some.
Values above are about right. For insurance I would have it appraised by a local jeweler. They usually charge a nominal fee.

eternalover · Dec 9, 2021

I looked for something like this for about12-14 months. I recently spent around £1250 on a dog leg 564 in good condition. With crystal sorted and bezel and crown, in current U.K. market I reckon around £1100-1300 to buy something as good. Some of that depends on the absolute quality of the dial, which looks to be quite nice and may be excellent under the scratches as others commented. Overall it looks like the case has had a hard life and the rotor looks (to me) better condition than the rest of the movement. To me with a cracked bezel and a replaced crown that raises questions about whether a serious accident happened to it. Personally I would not expect to re coup all your outlay with increased value on a sale in the shorter term, compared with just selling it. It would be about par. According to others who know better than me the dial condition will be the key determinant of final value.

SkunkPrince · Dec 9, 2021

Yo32Leigh
Hi David, thanks for your reply.
I totally accept the service will add no value, I was just conscious of spending more than the watch is realistically worth. I'm waiting to hear for a quote to restore/replace the watches bezel, crown and crystal. Assuming these items are remedied, would £1000 be a fair evaluation for insurance purposes?

You absolutely must have the movement cleaned and oiled before you can wear the watch.

Yo32Leigh · Dec 9, 2021

eternalover
I looked for something like this for about12-14 months. I recently spent around £1250 on a dog leg 564 in good condition. With crystal sorted and bezel and crown, in current U.K. market I reckon around £1100-1300 to buy something as good. Some of that depends on the absolute quality of the dial, which looks to be quite nice and may be excellent under the scratches as others commented. Overall it looks like the case has had a hard life and the rotor looks (to me) better condition than the rest of the movement. To me with a cracked bezel and a replaced crown that raises questions about whether a serious accident happened to it. Personally I would not expect to re coup all your outlay with increased value on a sale in the shorter term, compared with just selling it. It would be about par. According to others who know better than me the dial condition will be the key determinant of final value.

Many thanks for your input. From what I've been told the watch was worn everyday by a very active bloke so most of the visible damage is wear and tear. I'm guessing it was used as a watch and not a status symbol. I've tried to take a better picture of the dial but hard to get past the scratched crystal. From what I can see though the dial appears to be immaculate so I'm looking forward to getting a new crystal to show it off.

Peemacgee · Dec 9, 2021

Yo32Leigh
Hi David, thanks for your reply.
I totally accept the service will add no value, I was just conscious of spending more than the watch is realistically worth. I'm waiting to hear for a quote to restore/replace the watches bezel, crown and crystal. Assuming these items are remedied, would £1000 be a fair evaluation for insurance purposes?

Welcome @Yo32Leigh
You have a great inheritance there, congratulations.
Lovely dial - correct 'missing text' script, onyx insert indices, sunburst finish - what's not to like

The valuations above are all in the right ballpark - but these are for purchasing a watch like yours privately, i.e. a collector's market value
(If not for the cracked bezel and the slightly beaten up case back, , I would personally put it in the £1200-1300 region)
However, if you wanted to replace it at a specialist vintage retailer, which is what an insurance value should be set at, you would have to pay significantly more.
I would insure it for something like £2,000 for your insurance.

It's personal preference, (and understanding that your grandsire had it like this) but if you are replacing the crystal, consider getting one without the date magnifier - these watches look so much better with a plain crystal. (the date magnifiers were special order and aren't that common on Constellations - more of a Rolex thing)

and if you haven't come across it yet in your research - dive into Desmond's fabulous website about Constellations
http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com

eternalover · Dec 9, 2021

Dial looks great in the new picture.

I hate cyclops date and so personally even if it isn’t strictly correct would get a non cyclops replacement.

Dan S · Dec 9, 2021

While we get comments like this all the time, I really don't understand the concern about insuring heirlooms like these, that don't really have high value. If the watch is lost or stolen, an insurance payment will not replace the actual watch that has sentimental value, and somehow I can't imagine that most people go around putting individual insurance riders on items worth £1000. Doesn't a typical homeowners policy have some coverage for jewelry and watches?

Maybe it is seen as more acceptable to ask for an insurance value instead of a sales valuation.

ahartfie · Dec 9, 2021

Dan S
Doesn't a typical homeowners policy have some coverage for jewelry and watches?

I can't speak for others, but my homeowner's policy limits blanket coverage for jewelry and watches to $500, which coincidentally and ironically is the exact amount of my deductible. If I want more, I must have specific riders attached to the policy.

JwRosenthal · Dec 9, 2021

ahartfie
I can't speak for others, but my homeowner's policy limits blanket coverage for jewelry and watches to $500, which coincidentally and ironically is the exact amount of my deductible. If I want more, I must have specific riders attached to the policy.

Mine is $25k but they require receipts, pictures and appraisals to get replacement value- otherwise you have to fight. Never had to try thank goodness.

Dan S · Dec 9, 2021

ahartfie
I can't speak for others, but my homeowner's policy limits blanket coverage for jewelry and watches to $500, which coincidentally and ironically is the exact amount of my deductible. If I want more, I must have specific riders attached to the policy.

Well, I hope you see the main point I was making. Insurance has its place, e.g. as back-up for catastrophic losses. But for an object whose value is primarily sentimental? Not me.

Yo32Leigh · Dec 9, 2021

Dan S
Well, I hope you see the main point I was making. Insurance has its place, e.g. as back-up for catastrophic losses. But for an object whose value is primarily sentimental? Not me.

Hi Dan,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I totally get your point with regards to sentimental value and agree in the most part. Although this watch was inherited, the sentimental value is limited for reasons already covered. With regards to insurance, I personally insure anything I would consider to be an asset. In this case I would consider a £1000+ watch an asset as much as I do my expensive bikes etc, regardless of sentiment. I realise this may not be a popular opinion but the monetary value of anything I possess is an asset than can be passed on when I leave this mortal coil

Dan S · Dec 9, 2021

Yo32Leigh
Hi Dan,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I totally get your point with regards to sentimental value and agree in the most part. Although this watch was inherited, the sentimental value is limited for reasons already covered. With regards to insurance, I personally insure anything I would consider to be an asset. In this case I would consider a £1000+ watch an asset as much as I do my expensive bikes etc, regardless of sentiment. I realise this may not be a popular opinion but the monetary value of anything I possess is an asset than can be passed on when I leave this mortal coil

Just because something is an asset doesn’t mean it needs to be insured IMO. Insurance is a bet that the item will be lost or stolen. And the odds are obviously in the insurance company’s favor.

Inherited 1960 Omega Constellation

Yo32Leigh

SkunkPrince

Yo32Leigh

SkunkPrince

Davidt

Yo32Leigh

Yo32Leigh

Davidt

JwRosenthal

eternalover

SkunkPrince

Yo32Leigh

Peemacgee

eternalover

Dan S

ahartfie

JwRosenthal

Dan S

Yo32Leigh

Dan S

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