I found a watch for sale that.. I don't know.. could be the very rare 14777?

http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-omega-constellation-jumbo-14777.html

Here are the pictures. Per the seller it's 36mm sans crown.





I know the bezel is cracked and I was pretty sure the dial was a redial but the more I look at it the more I don't know.. Here's an original for comparison.



My questions/concerns are as follows.

1. Is this a redial?
2. As far as I know these are not suppose to have "officially certified" but I have seen very few examples so perhaps the later serial numbers could have it? 19.4 million would be a later serial number for these.
3. The bezel is a problem but I suspect the case is the same as a 168.001 and there are plenty of redials out there I could pick up cheap for a replacement case. Any ideas if this could work?

Thanks in advance.

 

Zoomed in, sharpened, and inverted the blurry case back. It looks like a 777.

 

Here's a side by side of the constellation fonts (original on bottom).

 

Well I answered my own question. After looking at this side by side of the enlargements I'm certain it's a redial. Look at the Ms.

 

Blurry pictures so can't be absolutely sure
But dial looks good to me
The Ms came in both styles in this era
(Matching and non- matching)

 

I agree. I haven't seen anything that would put me off

 

Thanks. Very interesting. I didn't know about the mismatched Ms.

 

The watch just arrived from Japan and it looks like my gamble paid off! It is in fact a 14777 and the dial appears to be original. There's not much info out there for these but this is the only example I've seen with the "officially certified" font. I've actually only found 2 examples of this reference online. Next to my 168.001 (which will hopefully provide a donor bezel) the cases appear to be identical. As a bonus it came with a 1502 bracelet which I think will look great on my Seamaster 120. I think the constellation belongs on leather.

It's off to the watchmaker tomorrow for a fresh service and bezel transplant. I will post pics when it returns.

 

That's a clean looking movement. Nice pickup!

 

Hey @westmtn I love how the movement looks great in that pic too. Nice pick up of a 14777

 

The more I look at it the more I think the crack in the bezel probably saved this watch. I can imagine it cracking early in the watch's life and then being tossed in a sock drawer for the next 30 years.

 

That's THE watch I'm looking for!! If I may ask: how much did you pay for it? or maybe what's a good price for a similar watch in those conditions? Thanks a lot