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Inherited Omega Constellation: Advice hugely appreciated

DLKeatis
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Hi, and thanks for having me on the forum

Following a death in the family I have inherited an Omega constellation. Unfortunately, anyone who could have told me more about it is no longer with us.

It’s ticking over just fine but I don’t have any paperwork or service history. I’ve kept winding it up but it’s just been sitting in a drawer since. I’ve thought about keeping it for sentimental reasons but I’m not a watch guy so it’s really pearls before swine.

If possible, I’d really appreciate some advice on the following:

* Should I bear the cost of servicing and restoring it? Would I be able to recover the cost if I were to sell it?

* If I were to sell it in its current state, what sort of price should I consider my “floor”?

* Would anyone want to buy it at all in its current state?

Apologies in advance for the stupid questions. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

PS A local jeweller told me it was from the 60s but couldn’t tell me any more than that. And I’m loath to take the back off because I have no idea what I’m doing
 
4D565848-B351-45A4-955D-87665359AA85.jpeg C81AF774-1123-470A-A62D-D80ECA1558D6.jpeg
DLKeatis
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Taken a couple more pictures as the guide says to take from as many angles as possible.

If you guys need to see anything more specific let me know and I’ll do what I can 😀
 
5C1ED026-2ADF-4224-A811-19CD815DD5B4.jpeg B39009DB-DC71-42B2-AB74-6EB396C942EE.jpeg
cristos71
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Looks like a 14381 from around 1959/1960. The screw back and non- "officially certified" dial are the signs.
 
ConElPueblo
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Hi mate, welcome to OF. Sorry about your loss - I will see if I can help you a little.

DLKeatis DLKeatis
* Should I bear the cost of servicing and restoring it? Would I be able to recover the cost if I were to sell it?

* If I were to sell it in its current state, what sort of price should I consider my “floor”?

* Would anyone want to buy it at all in its current state?

Apologies in advance for the stupid questions. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

PS A local jeweller told me it was from the 60s but couldn’t tell me any more than that. And I’m loath to take the back off because I have no idea what I’m doing

* if you are intending to sell it on, definitely keep away from servicing it.

* difficult to say, but I would expect a watch like this to end around $1000 on eBay. Unless you have a fairly good understanding of how to price a vintage watch, I would not recommend setting a fixed price which may be unrealistically high or silly low. An eBay advert will attract a lot of interest, but make sure to be completely transparent in the description.

* most definitely.

You have an early 60s Omega Constellation ref. 14381 with a cal. 551 movement, one of my favourite Constellation types. Here is a gold-capped version I sold a few years ago:

269492-b97c28a66454af7d49d0b3087a9ae8af.jpg


Yours look right where it matters, but if you intend to sell it, clean it a little with a lightly damp cloth and take photos where the dial especially is in focus. You could try having a go at cleaning the crystal with some polishing compound too, if the crystal is too hazed to show the dial properly.
 
DLKeatis
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Thanks so much matey. I’m in Manchester UK and it’s just occurred to me that people will be contributing from all over the world so appreciate someone calling me mate 😀

Thanks for the advice and consolation. Really means a lot
 
DLKeatis
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Hi mate, welcome to OF. Sorry about your loss - I will see if I can help you a little.



* if you are intending to sell it on, definitely keep away from servicing it.

* difficult to say, but I would expect a watch like this to end around $1000 on eBay. Unless you have a fairly good understanding of how to price a vintage watch, I would not recommend setting a fixed price which may be unrealistically high or silly low. An eBay advert will attract a lot of interest, but make sure to be completely transparent in the description.

* most definitely.

You have an early 60s Omega Constellation ref. 14381 with a cal. 551 movement, one of my favourite Constellation types. Here is a gold-capped version I sold a few years ago:

269492-b97c28a66454af7d49d0b3087a9ae8af.jpg


Yours look right where it matters, but if you intend to sell it, clean it a little with a lightly damp cloth and take photos where the dial especially is in focus. You could try having a go at cleaning the crystal with some polishing compound too, if the crystal is too hazed to show the dial properly.

Thanks again and that’s a gorgeous watch!
 
Maganator
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Hello! Would you mind taking a photo with the hands at 2:10 so we can get a better look at the logo and writing underneath?
Thanks
 
DLKeatis
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Maganator Maganator
Hello! Would you mind taking a photo with the hands at 2:10 so we can get a better look at the logo and writing underneath?
Thanks

You got it!

hope that’s ok?
 
image.jpg
Maganator
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DLKeatis DLKeatis
You got it!

hope that’s ok?
thanks and that's much better.

The case looks unpolished which is great. The dial looks clean. Some loss of lume on the hands and the crystal looks a bit cracked in places.

Based on the condition I would say you could expect to get around £6/700 for it on ebay which chimes with what @ConElPueblo said above.

If you had a watch maker take the back off and got some movement shots you might be able to get a bit more.
 
DLKeatis
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Maganator Maganator
thanks and that's much better.

The case looks unpolished which is great. The dial looks clean. Some loss of lume on the hands and the crystal looks a bit cracked in places.

Based on the condition I would say you could expect to get around £6/700 for it on ebay which chimes with what @ConElPueblo said above.

If you had a watch maker take the back off and got some movement shots you might be able to get a bit more.

Yeah, the jeweller that I took it to said that they used to use a radioactive isotope for the lume back in the day?!? Bonkers.

Really appreciate this feedback!
 
Mark020
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DLKeatis DLKeatis
used to use a radioactive isotope for the lume back in the day
Correct. Don't lick on it 😁
 
ConElPueblo
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Don't worry - yours is without radium lume. It has onyx inlays on the indices and black inlay in the hands, the latter of which is fairly brittle and has cracked in places. Have a look at mine that I posted earlier, it too has the black inlay and no lume.

I will add that yours have a very bright white dial, which is uncommon as the lacquer tends to darken with age. It is also seemingly unpolished (though worn from use) which is also attractive to potential buyers.


Untame Untame
Are these your auctions? I see a lot with the floral background.

Sorry, I am not sure what you mean? This was just a hydrangea from the garden.
 
MtV
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Sorry for your loss @DLKeatis and welcome!

DLKeatis DLKeatis
Yeah, the jeweller that I took it to said that they used to use a radioactive isotope for the lume back in the day?!? Bonkers.

Yeah, bonkers indeed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radium_Girls

Another little remark regarding attractiveness of your example: It's also has the original crown, a thin scallop style example. These arent exactly easy to find a replacement for, definitely another nice detail.
 
Untame
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Sorry, I am not sure what you mean? This was just a hydrangea from the garden.
When you said you sold it, I thought that was a photo from your listing. There are a lot of watches for sale on Ebay that have a similar floral / greenery background, so I thought you might be that seller.
 
Dan S
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Don't do anything to it, the dirt and badly worn strap add credibility to your story, and collectors like "barn finds". Just make the effort to take lots of good photos and put it on eBay in an auction. These are popular watches, so it will do fine.
 
DLKeatis
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Thank you all so much, everyone. I really appreciate your being so helpful and welcoming!
 
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