Is something wrong with the dial

shah@123 · Feb 12, 2020

The listing says the watch is 50s Vintage Omega Constellation Pie Pan Rail Track Trench Dial Ref 14381 cal 551

From the photos I was able to confirm the ref # - the year and the cal 551 with the Omega website,

From my research of similar models - the inner dial does not seem to a exact circle, The photos of these show it somewhat as a circle. Compared the inner photos - i was not able to find 24 jewels that i did see in most original photos - although no jewels is mentioned in the omega websire

Is this redone dial or something wrong with this piece. ?

Peemacgee · Feb 13, 2020

Hi @shah@123
Your research is pretty much spot on, although the date could be end of 50s or very early 60s.

If you are asking if the rail track should be round, then the answer is yes.
if you’ve seen others that aren’t I suspect they were distorted pics.

these dials are notorious for having the rail track repainted - you will need hi res pics to determine if this is the case (from the pics provided the minute marks on the rail track look uneven)

in general, the case isn’t bad but the dial is showing signs of degradation and the movt looks very tired.
Edit: I should have added that it has an incorrect crown of course.

whether it is worth buying depends on the price and the condition of the dial.

Hope that helps

shah@123 · Feb 13, 2020

The asking price is 380 US dollars

shah@123 · Feb 13, 2020

Peemacgee
Hi @shah@123
Your research is pretty much spot on, although the date could be end of 50s or very early 60s.

If you are asking if the rail track should be round, then the answer is yes.
if you’ve seen others that aren’t I suspect they were distorted pics.

these dials are notorious for having the rail track repainted - you will need hi res pics to determine if this is the case (from the pics provided the minute marks on the rail track look uneven)

in general, the case isn’t bad but the dial is showing signs of degradation and the movt looks very tired.
Edit: I should have added that it has an incorrect crown of course.

whether it is worth buying depends on the price and the condition of the dial.

Hope that helps

The asking price is 380 dollars - thoughts?

Peemacgee · Feb 13, 2020

S shah@123
The asking price is 380 dollars - thoughts?

these are highly sort after references - that would be very, very, cheap if the dial is not repainted (even with a bit of dial degradation and a movt in need of a service)

you need (much) better pics of the dial to assess the condition of the watch

cristos71 · Feb 13, 2020

Even with its issues I'd buy it at $380, but expect to pay maybe even that much again to get it running well and looking presentable. The dial looks original to me.

kingsrider · Feb 13, 2020

This watch is an auction listing with a reserve. I am not sure where the asking price came from.

Peemacgee · Feb 13, 2020

kingsrider
This watch is an auction listing with a reserve. I am not sure where the asking price came from.

that would make more sense

do you have a link to the auction?

seekingseaquest · Feb 13, 2020

The *current bid* is at $360. It will go much higher.

connieseamaster · Feb 13, 2020

seekingseaquest
The *current bid* is at $360. It will go much higher.

That makes much more sense. I'd expect to see another digit on the price by the time the hammer comes down.

Peemacgee · Feb 13, 2020

connieseamaster
That makes much more sense. I'd expect to see another digit on the price by the time the hammer comes down.

hopefully only a 1 in front of the $360 in this condition 😉

but the value of this watch is all in the dial -otherwise it is no more than a decent 14381 case, with a ropey movt and an incorrect crown
if it is redialled then it crashes the price to a collector
apart from the general grubbiness, the central section of the dial looks ok but its the rail track that looks a bit off in the OPs pics -and we all know that is where the issues often lie with these dials.

Shabbaz · Feb 13, 2020

Why do I see all these railtracks in threads but I cant find any of them... hmmm

Is something wrong with the dial

shah@123

Peemacgee

shah@123

shah@123

Peemacgee

cristos71

kingsrider

Peemacgee

seekingseaquest

connieseamaster

Peemacgee

Shabbaz

Similar threads

Omega Constellation - NOS or something wrong with it?

was something wrong with the ed white @ phillips ?

Is there something wrong with this Connie or has the market gone down that much?

Omega Constellation - how many things are wrong with the dial?

Is there something wrong with this dial on my newly bought Seamaster De ville?

Is something wrong with this Breitling?