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Just cancelled an order for a vintage Omega Constellation Model 2852 9 SC

Russ Murray
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First of all, thank you Trev and others for welcoming me to this forum. As for the brand, I'm a relative newby although I've been collecting for approx 30 years and to date I own 2 Omegas; SMP 2254 and a Globemaster. It was the latter that drew me to checking out the vintage "pie-pan" Constellations and yesterday I pulled the trigger on one without performing due diligence. Thankfully a fellow member and local enthusiast from Calgary expressed some concerns about my purchase.

Now I am not accusing the seller of anything nefarious but there were some incongruities I missed because I had my blinders on when I ordered. After addressing my friend's concerns and doing some research I learned that the 505 caliber is a 24 jewel movement and upon closer inspection of the seller's photos I noted the rotor was stamped 19 jewels and the description referenced 505 caliber - 19 jewels. Perhaps at best the watch is a bit of a Franken and I'm more interested in pursuing something genuine. Thankfully the seller has agreed to cancel my order so I can knuckle down and so some proper research. Most certainly the expertise in this forum will be invaluable.

Ok, enough blabber, here are some of the seller's photos;

il_1588xN.6038904334_9jzv.webp il_1588xN.6086974759_huvf.webp
 
Walrus
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Sometimes those blinders can be funny. On a vintage Seiko pickup not too long ago I was just pleased to see everything checked out as original I completely missed that one of the hands looked like a mouse k nibbled on it. The seller made no attempt to hide it I was just looking at everything else completely missed it. Weird
 
Russ Murray
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Walrus Walrus
Sometimes those blinders can be funny. On a vintage Seiko pickup not too long ago I was just pleased to see everything checked out as original I completely missed that one of the hands looked like a mouse k nibbled on it. The seller made no attempt to hide it I was just looking at everything else completely missed it. Weird
I can definitely relate being a former mod on the old SCWF forum. I have too many Seikos but something tells me I'm not alone 😉
 
Passover
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The dial looks a bit suspicious, do you got a straight on picture?
 
Knebo
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Russ Murray Russ Murray
First of all, thank you Trev and others for welcoming me to this forum. As for the brand, I'm a relative newby although I've been collecting for approx 30 years and to date I own 2 Omegas; SMP 2254 and a Globemaster. It was the latter that drew me to checking out the vintage "pie-pan" Constellations and yesterday I pulled the trigger on one without performing due diligence. Thankfully a fellow member and local enthusiast from Calgary expressed some concerns about my purchase.

Now I am not accusing the seller of anything nefarious but there were some incongruities I missed because I had my blinders on when I ordered. After addressing my friend's concerns and doing some research I learned that the 505 caliber is a 24 jewel movement and upon closer inspection of the seller's photos I noted the rotor was stamped 19 jewels and the description referenced 505 caliber - 19 jewels. Perhaps at best the watch is a bit of a Franken and I'm more interested in pursuing something genuine. Thankfully the seller has agreed to cancel my order so I can knuckle down and so some proper research. Most certainly the expertise in this forum will be invaluable.

Ok, enough blabber, here are some of the seller's photos;

il_1588xN.6038904334_9jzv.webp il_1588xN.6086974759_huvf.webp
Most likely, the rotor was swapped from a (compatible) 491 or 501 movement. Not the end of the world, but yes, not perfect...and very visibly incoherent with the 505.

Besides, while it's very difficult to see (intentional?) from the side angle, I don't see the proper pie-pan "edge" on the dial. Probably redone.
 
CalgaryJim
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Passover Passover
is it this one from ETSY?

1751748711064.webp

Clear redial IMO
It is the one from Etsy. Glad you were able to provide more feedback for Russ.
Edited:
 
Passover
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Russ Murray Russ Murray
Here's a couple

il_1588xN.6086974773_bq03.webp il_1588xN.6038904258_q8q1.webp
As said before this dial is redone IMO

Just post the next one on the forum before you waste your money 😉
 
Russ Murray
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Knebo Knebo
Most likely, the rotor was swapped from a (compatible) 491 or 501 movement. Not the end of the world, but yes, not perfect...and very visibly incoherent with the 505.

Besides, while it's very difficult to see (intentional?) from the side angle, I don't see the proper pie-pan "edge" on the dial. Probably redone.
I would agree it's not the end of the world because some "Frankens" actually do the trick for the owner. The fact I don't know current market prices for genuine vintage pieces was also a mitigating factor. I did do some comparables though and the price "seemed" reasonable. Can't really comment on the edge component of the "pie-pan" aesthetic on this one but it seems more defined than say the edge on my Globemaster 😉
 
Russ Murray
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Passover Passover
As said before this dial is redone IMO

Just post the next one on the forum before you waste your money 😉
Will do but I'm going to take my time!
 
Dan S
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The dial is a bigger issue than the rotor, IMO.
 
CalgaryJim
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Knebo Knebo
Agreed.
@Russ Murray dodged a bullet by noticing the lesser problem
What a great resource this website and it's members are, I've purchased 5 of 6 vintage Omegas based entirely on helpful information from here, including the Recommended Vintage Omegas on eBay thread.
Edited:
 
Russ Murray
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CalgaryJim CalgaryJim
What a great resource this website and it's members are, I've purchased 5 of 6 vintage Omegas based entirely on helpful information from here, including the Vintage Omegas on eBay Recommended thread.
Absolutely and thank you Jim for first alerting me to your concerns about my purchase!
 
JimInOz
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Russ Murray Russ Murray
I have too many Seikos but something tells me I'm not alone 😉
Is there such a thing as "too many"?

IMG_4791.webp
 
Faz
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Walrus Walrus
Sometimes those blinders can be funny. On a vintage Seiko pickup not too long ago I was just pleased to see everything checked out as original I completely missed that one of the hands looked like a mouse k nibbled on it. The seller made no attempt to hide it I was just looking at everything else completely missed it. Weird
I’m pretty sure many of us here suffered from “can’t see the trees through the forest” syndrome when stumbling upon a so called beauty.
 
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