Inherited 60s Omega Constellation

J Janne

So if the inside is gold it is solid and if it is silver it is SS?

J Janne

So if the inside is gold it is solid and if it is silver it is SS?

SkunkPrince

You're sure? I've had "silver" tension rings on gold watches before, based on the dial...

Syrte

Clearly watchmakers in the US are charging much more than in certain parts of Europe and expectations differ. But since I am the “someone” in question, let me clarify I only expect the best from a watchmaker and I would only recommend someone with a proven track record of delivering just that.

That being said I can understand a newbie being reluctant to ship a valuable family heirloom.

hoipolloi

From what I see from your pictures. Your watch is 18k yellow gold, reference 168.006. The dial is made in 18k gold, too.
With the cross hair on dial, it is rare and valuable to some collectors especially in Asian market.
If the dial is in perfect condition, it is valued @$6000 usd at this time.
Regards.

Hoi.

hoipolloi

From what I see from your pictures. Your watch is 18k yellow gold, reference 168.006. The dial is made in 18k gold, too.

watchyouwant

Seconded. The crystal will polish nicely as well. Looks like it is not damaged. All your Infos are on the inside case back. Fingers crossed ! Good luck. Kind regards. Achim

J Janne

I have now been to the watchmaker and the watch is 18k solid gold, he couldn't tell though if the dial was gold as well without taking it apart. The crystal is original, the logo was apparently there. Since it is original I don't see any need to swap it out, is there anything controversial in polishing the crystal? It was a reference 168.005/6 and caliber 561. Everything with the movement looked good at a glance. The use of the word "repair" was just bad wording. So the cost of 500$ would include service of the movement, polishing of the crystal, general "cleaning" and seeing over the seconds hand. This time there was another guy who helped me and he was doubtful that they could source an original seconds hand. He seemed equally knowledgable though and actually owned a Constellation himself 😀

Peemacgee

that's excellent news - congratulations
did you get the serial number?
if the movt is a 561, then the watch may have been bought around 69 but was made at least a few years earlier
correct Omega seconds hands are available if the watchmaker has a parts account - don't let them fob you off with a none Omega replacement.
polishing the crystal is fine if there are no cracks in it.

perhaps you could provide some better pics of the dial?
if the onyx insets are wide and flat then it will be a solid gold dial
- and the reference number will be 168.006, which defines it as a 'deluxe' Constellation (they used the same caseback in solid gold watches without gold dials, hence the dual reference)

J Janne

Thank you! I have the serial number, there is no potential problem in sharing it? I actually left the watch with the watchmaker so sadly I can't provide any better pics at the moment. Since they probably weren't able to source an original seconds hand I decided to call an AD and ask for their estimate. Their price was 800$ which would include everything, new crystal, new seconds hand, new crown and full service of the movement. All parts used were going to be original. What is the general opinion about swapping out the crown?

J Janne

When I asked the guy at the AD about the seconds hand he could only find one for caliber 564, is it interchangeable with my 561?

Peemacgee

Some folks are concerned about sharing serial numbers (they think forgers are going to replicate the movement or some such thing)
Sharing the first 4 or 5 numbers is sufficient to roughly date the watch eg 20,974,XXX

I think I mentioned the crown previously, if you value originality don't change it - you can't get a new version the same. (the replacement version is very different)
Reataining it will however prejudice the water resistance of the watch as there are rubber seals inside the crown that perish over time - but most on OF would advise to keep the original.

the seconds hand should be the same for both movts, for a pie-pan dial, perhaps @Archer would kindly comment?

parts have gone up but $800 sounds expensive to me.
lets say:
service - $300
crystal - $100
seconds hand - $100
crown - $100
assuming no other parts require changing, then it doesn't add up to $800
That's almost Omega service-charge territory.

Also, make sure that the AD isn't sending the watch to Omega - they are likely to not respect the vintage originality

you will have to be very very specific about what you do and don't want doing if you use the AD - they are used to dealing with new watches


hope that helps

J Janne

The serial number starts with 2386. My understanding was that replacing the crown was mandatory during the service, I might agree to change it but keep it the original for the future. I am basically 100% sure they do it in house, the guy I spoke to was working on a caliber 560 when I called. My guess is that prices in Sweden are just generally higher than other countries when it comes to reliable watchmakers. Absolutely, I will be very clear!

Syrte

Isn’t there a watch forum in Sweden where people might recommend the best possible watchmaker for this?
Giving a watch like this to someone who’s essentially unknown seems like a no-no to me.
The watch is just too valuable, from a sentimental and monetary view point. Considering the quotes you got, you might as well pay for the best people in the country and take a week end trip to take your watch where it needs to go.

Alternatively you could post a new thread here for a watchmaker referral in Sweden as there are a few Swedish members; and search past queries on the esame question.