I got an old watch that says its an omega constellation on its face. It isn't working. I was wondering what is the best way to have it restored? I was thinking of bringing it to the authorized service center in my country, Philippines. Is That a good idea? Any thoughts about how i should proceed? Thanks for any advice, I'm a bit lost right now.
Looks like you have a Frankened watch there. Dial (and movement?) is/are from Constellation in a Seamaster case. Have a watchmaker open it and have a look inside then decide what to do next. Good luck.
The dial is a nice one, quite early and quite probably houses a 505. It's worth looking out for a compatible watch with ruined dial and having a vintage specialist watchmaker transplant your dial (and movement?). Whatever you do, don't go to Omega to have it done as it can be done better and cheaper elsewhere.
Thanks for the information Edward53. I was able to get the watch opened. The Omega service center in Manila said that they no longer do repairs on this model. It has to be sent to Switzerland if i plan to have it repaired by omega. I will be in Chicago and New York in November does anyone have recommendations where to have it repaired there?
You have the correct 354 movement for the 2494 case - Google will tell you all about it - and the case looks to be 18K gold so is quite valuable. The movement is several different colours, which usually means it did not all start life together and is thus not a good sign. Because the case is for a Seamaster, the Constellation dial is wrong for it. So you have a good case for one watch, a very nice dial and two hands for another (second hand is missing), a missing crown and a not-very-good movement. It's no use sending this watch to Omega as they won't touch it, and it's anyway not recommended to get vintage watches serviced by Omega. I think your dial is from a Constellation 2852 with a 505 movement, like this one: If your watch belonged to me I would watch ebay for a suitable Constellation with damaged dial and get a watchmaker to switch them. I think the dial is good enough to merit that. IMO you are unlikely to find a suitable Seamaster movement, dial and crown for the case and personally I would sell the case on its own and the movement for parts. But see what others say before taking my advice.
I'd recommend to have it serviced by a good watchmaker - your movement seems to be a bit corroded (missing crown = water entry point). A good watchmaker should be able to restore the watch to fully working order including organizing spare parts like the crown and a stem and maybe movement parts. A polishing of the case should add a nice look! If you are for originality then organize a dial - eBay may be a good bet for this as similar gold-cased watches have been taken apart to collect the gold value and the 'rest' like movement and dials end up there. Any _serious_ watchmaker should be able to replace the dial quickly, but these are hard to find.
Thanks, been immersed on ebay since both of your messages. i've found some movements for the seamaster. i've been thinking, if i should try to get the watch working as is. and look for the different parts and gradually bring it back to two separate watches? any advice on what kind of model is the constellation? and what prices does anyone think is fair for the parts?
Edward53 How do I know which which case and movement are for the constellation? thanks for the previous advice
Just curious, but would a 505 dial fit a 354 bumper movement? Nothing compatible with bumper movements unless dial posts cut off and glued to movement Also appears to be a case ring around movement DON
I have a master watch builder at my work if you need any help. I actually sell watches in Baltimore md at Smyth Jewelers. He is the only one I have work on my timepieces Here is a before and after of what a simple cleaning does.
I did qualify that with "I think"! I doubted the dial was from a 354 because all the 354 pie pan images I found show broad arrowhead markers. We'll only find out if a) someone redhot on these dials shows up or b) we see the reverse of the dial.
any thought if this might be a good match for the watch? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Omega-1952-Seamaster-Automatic-Bump-Mens-Wristwatch-354-Ref-C-2577-2-SC/232272540079?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=2&asc=20131003132420&meid=eb0eb7c52748478eaf90e8eec2d14911&pid=100005&rk=3&rkt=6&sd=172174942400Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network thanks for all the help
Looks like the case ring doesn't fit perfectly and there is no case clamp/bracket. This is probably bouncing around in the case.
It would appear that the feet have been removed, sorry. Pictures from the post below will show both movements from the dial side. Both are close to 28 mm. Good luck with your hunt. http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&a148&2uswk&Omega_500 http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&a148&2uswk&Omega_354