Inherited 60s Omega Constellation

Archer · Jun 18, 2021

Syrte
@Archer didn’t you say in a recent thread that vintage watches brought for service to a local Omega AD would somewhat automatically be sent to Switzerland for a «Bienne restoration» ?
Would that not apply to a Constellation like this one?
Or did I misunderstand?

I don't know what thread you are referring to, but if a specific watch is "Bienne only" or not depends on 2 things:

1 - Swiss produced case or "national production" - If the case of the watch is not a Swiss made case (and is a locally produced case, what Omega calls national production) then Omega says this should go to Bienne regardless of the movement.

2 - Caliber restrictions - there is a list of specific movements that Omega considers "Bienne only" so one would have to check that list and see if it's on there or not. If it is, then the watch would be sent to Switzerland, and if not it can be serviced locally.

In this specific instance, it is unlikely that the case is national production, and the Cal. 564 is able to be serviced locally.

Note that these rules apply to official Omega entities only, so I do not follow these as I'm an independent watchmaker, and I can choose to service Bienne only calibers, or watches with locally produced cases if I wish to. In fact I just finished an Omega Century that has a locally produced case.

Cheers, Al

Archer · Jun 18, 2021

Peemacgee
I've just looked on Cousins UK
the same hand is £16.96

However - and I'm going to caveat this by saying that I have never ordered any kind of hand for a Constellation
If the measurement is from the centre post-hole (collet) to the tip, then I think the 1365 looks to be too long at 13.5mm and is likely for a dome dial
the 1355 is 10.5mm long and looks to be about the right size for a pie-pan dial but is an Omega account-holder only part

Since he was kind enough to help in the first instance, perhaps @Archer could shed some light? - because as I said I'm whistling in the dark here.

REF : 066UX1365
LENGTH L1 : 12.70 MM

Again, this is the only hand Omega lists for this 168006 case reference. The only dials they show are domed dials.

Confirming the case number would be a good idea...

Janne · Jun 18, 2021

Archer
REF : 066UX1365
LENGTH L1 : 12.70 MM

Again, this is the only hand Omega lists for this 168006 case reference. The only dials they show are domed dials.

Confirming the case number would be a good idea...

How do I confirm the case number? According to the watchmaker it said 168.005/6 on the inside. What does a "domed dial" mean? The dial does not appear to be flat, it looks angled "outside the piepan" if that makes sense.

Peemacgee · Jun 18, 2021

Archer
REF : 066UX1365
LENGTH L1 : 12.70 MM

Again, this is the only hand Omega lists for this 168006 case reference. The only dials they show are domed dials.

Confirming the case number would be a good idea...

Thanks
The OPs watch is double referenced as either a 168.005 or 168.006, most likely the latter with a solid gold pie-pan dial.
12.7mm looks to be significantly too long for a pie-pan dial
The hands I showed above from Cousins were for a 168.005 (they don't list a .006) and it rather looks like the shorter 10.5mm 1355 hand is a more likely fit. (if indeed that is the correct length given the Cousins length discrepancy with the 1365 hand)

Peemacgee · Jun 18, 2021

J Janne
How do I confirm the case number? According to the watchmaker it said 168.005/6 on the inside. What does a "domed dial" mean? The dial does not appear to be flat, it looks angled "outside the piepan" if that makes sense.

a dome dial is a different kind of dial - as per the dogleg I posted illustrating the replacement crown
the minute haches are at the outer edge of the dial and so the hands are longer than on a pie-pan
here it is again

Peemacgee · Jun 18, 2021

J Janne
How do I confirm the case number? According to the watchmaker it said 168.005/6 on the inside. .

new, clear pictures of the dial in natural daylight would help - both straight on and at an angle
also confirming the colour of the dial and whether the onyx inserts in the indices are flat

Archer · Jun 18, 2021

Peemacgee
Thanks
The OPs watch is double referenced as either a 168.005 or 168.006, most likely the latter with a solid gold pie-pan dial.
12.7mm looks to be significantly too long for a pie-pan dial
The hands I showed above from Cousins were for a 168.005 (they don't list a .006) and it rather looks like the shorter 10.5mm 1355 hand is a more likely fit. (if indeed that is the correct length given the Cousins length discrepancy with the 1365 hand)

The 1355 is indeed 10.5 mm, so that is likely the correct hand. Even for the 168005 case, no pie pan dials are shown. This is the fun of working on vintage...

Janne · Jun 18, 2021

Sadly I don't have a good camera, I just use my phone. I also think the scratched up crystal makes it difficult for the camera to focus on the dial. Here is a new pic, not sure if it is any better though.

hoipolloi · Jun 18, 2021

Yes, lots of fun when you work on vintage.
Then the hand must match other hands in color, doesn't have a big hole in middle like the new imitation etc...

Peemacgee · Jun 18, 2021

J Janne
Sadly I don't have a good camera, I just use my phone. I also think the scratched up crystal makes it difficult for the camera to focus on the dial. Here is a new pic, not sure if it is any better though.

much better thanks.
you can see the gold colour of the dial properly and the flat, broad, inserts.
I think we can confidently say your watch has a deluxe solid gold dial and therefore the case reference is 168.006. (As @hoipolloi suggested on page3)

however, the seconds hand should be the same for a pie pan dial in either reference (168.005/168.006)

@Archer has pretty much confirmed that the seconds hand you require is the 1355, which is only available if you have an Omega parts account.

Janne · Jun 18, 2021

So it is basically impossible to get the correct seconds hand for my watch from anywhere other than Omega service centers? The seconds hand on my watch could possibly be the longer 066UX1365 I guess.

Peemacgee · Jun 18, 2021

J Janne
So it is basically impossible to get the correct seconds hand for my watch from anywhere other than Omega service centers? The seconds hand on my watch could possibly be the longer 066UX1365 I guess.

You can take/send your watch to an Omega-certified independent watchmaker who has a parts account with Omega, not just an Omega service centre.

Janne · Jun 18, 2021

Peemacgee
You can take/send your watch to an Omega-certified independent watchmaker who has a parts account with Omega, not just an Omega service centre.

Ok, thank you! My newbie guess would have been that only service centres have parts accounts.

watchyouwant · Jun 18, 2021

J Janne
Ok, thank you! My newbie guess would have been that only service centres have parts accounts.

You worry too much.... Have it serviced at your watchmaker of choice. I would do it locally ( talk to them and control, that your wishes are followed...). Mvmt. Service only . Polish crystal only. Keep the crown and have a new crown seal put in. Absolutely no case cleaning. Have them cut the existing center second to size and sharpen the tip. Wear it. Be happy. And look for the right center second hand. Might take time. Changing that hand is a 15 minute affair for a watchmaker. Don't complicate a simple and enjoyable affair too much. Have fun with your beautiful Omega.

Archer · Jun 18, 2021

J Janne
Ok, thank you! My newbie guess would have been that only service centres have parts accounts.

Not at all. I am a completely independent watchmaker with an Omega parts account. There are plenty of us out there.

Janne · Jun 19, 2021

I have spoken to my father and we both feel that it would be a good idea/interesting to take the watch to the service center and see what they have to say in person and make a decision after that visit, this will happen in a couple of weeks or so. No matter where we end up taking it we will make sure that the originality is respected, I will update the thread with pics when it is all done.
HUGE thanks to everyone who has helped me, it really means a lot. Fantastic community 👍

Archer · Jun 19, 2021

J Janne
I have spoken to my father and we both feel that it would be a good idea/interesting to take the watch to the service center and see what they have to say in person and make a decision after that visit, this will happen in a couple of weeks or so. No matter where we end up taking it we will make sure that the originality is respected, I will update the thread with pics when it is all done.
HUGE thanks to everyone who has helped me, it really means a lot. Fantastic community 👍

Just be aware that even if they do an initial inspection and tell you that no cosmetic parts will be changed, they may still change them against your wishes. There's really no way to "make sure" that they won't, short of not taking it to Omega.

Here are two examples (there are many) of Omega making cosmetic changes when they were not authorized to do so:

Vintage Omega sent for repair - returned with new hands/crown: UPDATE | Omega Forums

Information requested for my Seamaster Chronograph | Omega Forums

In both instances irreversible things were done to these watches despite the owner requesting that Omega not do those things. You simply cannot trust Omega with vintage, period.

Cheers, Al

watchyouwant · Jun 19, 2021

J Janne
I have spoken to my father and we both feel that it would be a good idea/interesting to take the watch to the service center and see what they have to say in person and make a decision after that visit, this will happen in a couple of weeks or so. No matter where we end up taking it we will make sure that the originality is respected, I will update the thread with pics when it is all done.
HUGE thanks to everyone who has helped me, it really means a lot. Fantastic community 👍

Listen to Archer and others. do it locally. it is cheaper for you and you can influence things. no long distances/insurance problems in sending away..... this service is not rocket science. it is normal for a good watchmaker. we all have been there. multiple times.....

hoipolloi · Jun 19, 2021

watchyouwant
Listen to Archer and others. do it locally. it is cheaper for you and you can influence things. no long distances/insurance problems in sending away..... this service is not rocket science. it is normal for a good watchmaker. we all have been there. multiple times.....

I bring my watches to Vietnam, have them serviced right in front of me and make sure everything is under my control.
Cost? 1.000.000 million VND (less than $50 usd) 😁

amcclell · Jun 19, 2021

Taking your vintage 1960's Omega Constellation to the dealer for service is akin to taking a vintage 1960's Corvette to the local General Motors dealer (substitute Jaguar, if you live in the UK). The overwhelming majority of the service work done at a dealer will be routine maintenance and warranty work on modern watches. Vintage watch owners, like vintage car owners tend to be very particular about what is done, and how it is done. Dealers don't tend to provide the same level of individualized service and processes are set up to get the work in and out efficiently. It may not even be the same person working on the job from start to finish.

Inherited 60s Omega Constellation

Archer

Archer

Janne

Peemacgee

Peemacgee

Peemacgee

Archer

Janne

hoipolloi

Peemacgee

Janne

Peemacgee

Janne

watchyouwant

Archer

Janne

Archer

watchyouwant

hoipolloi

amcclell

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