Is this Constellation rare or franken watch?

avidmark · Dec 18, 2018

Hi there folks, first time poster. Look at posts often. Looking to get info on this Constellation I've had for a few months. In my Google searches of this reference I don't see it very often. Was told it's a ref: 14393 from the early 60's ish, cal 561, gold capped. Purchased from a member of my local watch club and he purchased from another reputable member of the same club. Does it look all original? Any thing look off? It's in quite good shape but hoping it's not a redial. Purchased the watch for $600 CAD($450 USD)

hoipolloi · Dec 18, 2018

All original except the crown which is a service crown with wrong tone.
The case was polished but it is quite hard to buy one like that with $450 usd.

jshaw083 · Dec 18, 2018

Agree font looks good and the case looks polished, but overall 600 CAD is a very good deal for a beautiful watch

avidmark · Dec 18, 2018

So a service crown was a crown replaced by Omega when the they serviced the watch? This was normal for the time?

hoipolloi · Dec 18, 2018

To keep the watch waterproof, the crown was replaced when it was serviced and normally, a service crown was used.
In this case, the crown on your watch looks like a China made, not Omega service crown.

avidmark · Dec 18, 2018

So it should have this type of crown? Suggestions on where to get the right one?

Peemacgee · Dec 19, 2018

I think that is a great buy for $450 - congratulations.
Odd that members of a watch club would sell it so cheaply - it would likely fetch (more than) double that on the open market.

avidmark · Dec 19, 2018

Peemacgee
I think that is a great buy for $450 - congratulations.
Odd that members of a watch club would sell it so cheaply - it would likely fetch (more than) double that on the open market.

He was selling it locally, so not a huge vintage market. The price started at $1400 originally.
So does anyone know? Is this model rare? Don't see it much. Mostly just the pie pan Connies.

Peemacgee · Dec 19, 2018

avidmark
He was selling it locally, so not a huge vintage market. The price started at $1400 originally.
So does anyone know? Is this model rare? Don't see it much. Mostly just the pie pan Connies.

It is a well known model, not rare but very nice to wear.
Have a look through the Connie show and tell thread for these and many other versions
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-constellations-show-and-tell.19186/

@ConElPueblo has (had) a similar cross-hair no-date version for sale in the private sales forum at the moment (understandably on hold now)
https://omegaforums.net/threads/near-full-set-gold-cap-omega-constellation-14-381.86824/if you compare case, you will see what @hoipolloi meant about yours being slightly polished.
$1,400 would have been too much but IMHO $450 is a steal for your watch.
Crowns are difficult to come by (the faceted ones aren't produced by Omega anymore) they come in two forms for this reference - see the one for sale for the alternative style - but if the replacement you have is a Chinese copy, I would look to having it replaced with a genuine Omega version.

avidmark · Dec 19, 2018

Peemacgee
It is a well known model, not rare but very nice to wear.
Have a look through the Connie show and tell thread for these and many other versions
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-constellations-show-and-tell.19186/

@ConElPueblo has (had) a similar cross-hair no-date version for sale in the private sales forum at the moment (understandably on hold now)
https://omegaforums.net/threads/near-full-set-gold-cap-omega-constellation-14-381.86824/if you compare case, you will see what @hoipolloi meant about yours being slightly polished.
$1,400 would have been too much but IMHO $450 is a steal for your watch.
Crowns are difficult to come by (the faceted ones aren't produced by Omega anymore) they come in two forms for this reference - see the one for sale for the alternative style - but if the replacement you have is a Chinese copy, I would look to having it replaced with a genuine Omega version.

Thank you for the info. To get a genuine Omega crown do I need to send it back to Omega? WhereWcan I get one? I've heard they have stopped selling parts to independent watch makers.

Peemacgee · Dec 19, 2018

avidmark
Thank you for the info. To get a genuine Omega crown do I need to send it back to Omega? WhereWcan I get one? I've heard they have stopped selling parts to independent watch makers.

The general consensus is to never send a vintage watch back to Omega.
There are places where independents (and the public) can still get genuine Omega parts and there are certified independents with Omega parts accounts.
If you can tell us where you (roughly) are you may get recommendations for a suitable watchmaker.

ConElPueblo · Dec 19, 2018

An Omega crown that will fit the watch can be ordered by any watchmaker with an account with Omega (or otherwise acces to this type of spare), but you'll need to go hunting on your own if you want to find the type that was originally on the watch as it is not produced anymore.

CdnWatchDoc · Dec 19, 2018

As the one-time owner of this lovely Connie, I can vouch for the condition (very good not withstanding the polishing), and timing (close to COSC specs...). The crown is the same I received when I paid 625 pounds for it back in 2012 from a fellow OF member. I did have it serviced, and enjoyed it very much for a few years. I didn't go looking for a period correct crown, as I wasn't sure if I wanted to go down that rabbit hole at the time.
We do have a thriving local watch club (WinnipegWatchEnthusiasts.com for a taste), and yes, I did sell it locally to one of our members for $1200 Cdn (little lower than the OF rate at the time). @avidmark got a fantastic deal as I believe the owner was looking to raise cash in a hurry.
There are a few members (@Archer) who may be able to advise as to the availability of the 10 sided crown.

avidmark · Dec 19, 2018

CdnWatchDoc
As the one-time owner of this lovely Connie, I can vouch for the condition (very good not withstanding the polishing), and timing (close to COSC specs...). The crown is the same I received when I paid 625 pounds for it back in 2012 from a fellow OF member. I did have it serviced, and enjoyed it very much for a few years. I didn't go looking for a period correct crown, as I wasn't sure if I wanted to go down that rabbit hole at the time.
We do have a thriving local watch club (WinnipegWatchEnthusiasts.com for a taste), and yes, I did sell it locally to one of our members for $1200 Cdn (little lower than the OF rate at the time). @avidmark got a fantastic deal as I believe the owner was looking to raise cash in a hurry.
There are a few members (@Archer) who may be able to advise as to the availability of the 10 sided crown.

I would like to get the proper crown as I'd like this to be a keeper in my collection. Love looking at this thing.

X350 XJR · Dec 19, 2018

This is the most common crown for reference 14393. Although the classic decagonal crown is also acceptable.

qboa · Dec 19, 2018

This one has a beautiful dial and hands. Hope you can find the matching crown soon!

OLSKER · Jun 12, 2022

X350 XJR
This is the most common crown for reference 14393. Although the classic decagonal crown is also acceptable.

What a beauty

Is this Constellation rare or franken watch?

avidmark

hoipolloi

jshaw083

avidmark

hoipolloi

avidmark

Peemacgee

avidmark

Peemacgee

avidmark

Peemacgee

ConElPueblo

CdnWatchDoc

avidmark

X350 XJR

qboa

OLSKER

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