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ConElPueblo
·
Yeah, he's such a pain in the ass.
Looking at vintage Constellation
Yeah, he's such a pain in the ass.
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cicindela
··Steve @ ΩFPut this in a good condition case and you've got something.
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KingCrouchy
·Just pay attention to not buy a fake case if you do so. There are a lot of fakes floating around.
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JLN765
·I went to the dealer on Saturday and took a close look (with a high-powered loupe) at this watch. Everything pointed out here was noted but, overall, the watch seems in pretty good shape but obviously not perfect. It does appear to be 100% legitimate. I was not able to see the insides but spoke with a local watchmaker (different place) and she gave me some tips about what to look for. The watch runs and seems to keep time (nothing egregiously wrong - I checked against my Seamaster and took a 20 minute walk, came back and it was still on the money). I asked their best price (didn't offer anything but had cash money in hand) and they would do $1500 all in, including the tax.
I thought about it a bit and walked away as the corrosion around the "Omega" appliqué bugged me; everything else I would be fine with. Honestly, it's not really noticeable beyond 1 ft. away. I've added a cropped close up photo of the corrosion issue but photo quality is still not the best (sorry, crappy iPhone and no macro to work with - it's the best I can do right now).
So, some questions:
1) Aside from a redial, can the small amount of corrosion around the "Omega" be mitigated/touched up or is it "what it is" and one has to live with it because trying to fix it, even by a qualified person, would ruin the dial?
2) Someone here mentioned that there are real deal cases floating around - any advice where one can be procured and how outrageously expensive are they?
There seemed to be a few others here on the forum interested in this thing and fair is fair - if they want to go after it - by all means. But, I keep coming back to this thing and am not letting it go. The above questions will tip me one way or the other. Depending on response, I'll go buy it tomorrow, if someone doesn't beat me to it.
Thanks again for the help with this.
I thought about it a bit and walked away as the corrosion around the "Omega" appliqué bugged me; everything else I would be fine with. Honestly, it's not really noticeable beyond 1 ft. away. I've added a cropped close up photo of the corrosion issue but photo quality is still not the best (sorry, crappy iPhone and no macro to work with - it's the best I can do right now).
So, some questions:
1) Aside from a redial, can the small amount of corrosion around the "Omega" be mitigated/touched up or is it "what it is" and one has to live with it because trying to fix it, even by a qualified person, would ruin the dial?
2) Someone here mentioned that there are real deal cases floating around - any advice where one can be procured and how outrageously expensive are they?
There seemed to be a few others here on the forum interested in this thing and fair is fair - if they want to go after it - by all means. But, I keep coming back to this thing and am not letting it go. The above questions will tip me one way or the other. Depending on response, I'll go buy it tomorrow, if someone doesn't beat me to it.
Thanks again for the help with this.
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Dan S
·Unless you really know what you’re doing, I think it’s best to buy watches that you’re happy with as they are. After you’ve been collecting vintage for a while, maybe you can give a project a try. Not the first time, it will take the fun out of it.
Some experts will find the watch appealing because it’s an uncommon black dial that hasn’t been tampered with, but that’s watch geekiness that comes with time, and it won’t help you if the corrosion bothers you.
So my advice is to go back and look at it. Put everything you’ve read in this thread out of your mind for the moment, look at it on your wrist, and see if it gives you joy.
Some experts will find the watch appealing because it’s an uncommon black dial that hasn’t been tampered with, but that’s watch geekiness that comes with time, and it won’t help you if the corrosion bothers you.
So my advice is to go back and look at it. Put everything you’ve read in this thread out of your mind for the moment, look at it on your wrist, and see if it gives you joy.
Edited:
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lindo
·I think we all can get caught up in being put off an otherwise nice watch by minuscule damage which is only visible under a magnifying glass. Once you have noticed it that is all you can see.
I wasted years of my collecting life being so choosy that I was just being stupid. I rejected stuff that had tiny imperfections which were really just part of the decades long life of the watch.
It seems nuts to me that we have considerable numbers of collectors who rejoice in the rough and tumble appearance of well worn classics with distressed dials that are described as having 'patina' (60s Speedmasters and Rolexes for example) and do not want them touched up in any way, whilst at the other end of the spectrum there are collectors who fuss over the smallest blemish on a dial.
We are a strange lot. You just have to decide where you personally sit.
I wasted years of my collecting life being so choosy that I was just being stupid. I rejected stuff that had tiny imperfections which were really just part of the decades long life of the watch.
It seems nuts to me that we have considerable numbers of collectors who rejoice in the rough and tumble appearance of well worn classics with distressed dials that are described as having 'patina' (60s Speedmasters and Rolexes for example) and do not want them touched up in any way, whilst at the other end of the spectrum there are collectors who fuss over the smallest blemish on a dial.
We are a strange lot. You just have to decide where you personally sit.
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Peemacgee
·Unless you really know what you’re doing, I think it’s best to buy watches that you’re happy with as they are. After you’ve been collecting vintage for a while, maybe you can give a project a try. Not the first time, it will take the fun out of it.
Some experts will find the watch appealing because it’s an uncommon black dial that hasn’t been tampered with, but that’s watch geekiness that comes with time, and it won’t help you if the corrosion bothers you.
So my advice is to go back and look at it. Put everything you’ve read in this thread out of your mind for the moment, look at it on your wrist, and see if it gives you joy.
@JLN765 this is very wise advice.
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DJG2645
·I think we all can get caught up in being put off an otherwise nice watch by minuscule damage which is only visible under a magnifying glass. Once you have noticed it that is all you can see.
I wasted years of my collecting life being so choosy that I was just being stupid. I rejected stuff that had tiny imperfections which were really just part of the decades long life of the watch.
It seems nuts to me that we have considerable numbers of collectors who rejoice in the rough and tumble appearance of well worn classics with distressed dials that are described as having 'patina' (60s Speedmasters and Rolexes for example) and do not want them touched up in any way, whilst at the other end of the spectrum there are collectors who fuss over the smallest blemish on a dial.
We are a strange lot. You just have to decide where you personally sit.
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JLN765
·Indeed, very good advice from Dan S. and lindo - much appreciated. Getting into the vintage market is a bit scary and I'm sure no one getting into this aspect of the hobby is wanting to get burned.
Thanks again,
Thanks again,
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JLN765
·After a number of months I've come full circle. Some on the Forum may remember I also stumbled across a gold 1944 Chromometre. I didn't end up buying it (hope someone else here did) and bought a moon phase Master Ultra Thin JLC instead.
I've made a few stops at this shop in the past few months where I found the black dial Connie to see what they had. The watch had disappeared from the case and I thought it had been sold. I stopped this morning and there it was again along with a gold on steel triple date Speedmaster. Long story short, I went back this afternoon, passed on the triple date and bought the Connie knowing that it wasn't perfect but pretty good (and I hadn't stopped thinking about). Price was reasonable, I thought (USD 1375.00).
I'm happy I bought it and now believe that I officially have the vintage watch bug.
Thanks to all again for the advice. Can't wait for the next find and purchase.
I've made a few stops at this shop in the past few months where I found the black dial Connie to see what they had. The watch had disappeared from the case and I thought it had been sold. I stopped this morning and there it was again along with a gold on steel triple date Speedmaster. Long story short, I went back this afternoon, passed on the triple date and bought the Connie knowing that it wasn't perfect but pretty good (and I hadn't stopped thinking about). Price was reasonable, I thought (USD 1375.00).
Thanks to all again for the advice. Can't wait for the next find and purchase.
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lindo
·J JLN765After a number of months I've come full circle. Some on the Forum may remember I also stumbled across a gold 1944 Chromometre. I didn't end up buying it (hope someone else here did) and bought a moon phase Master Ultra Thin JLC instead.
I've made a few stops at this shop in the past few months where I found the black dial Connie to see what they had. The watch had disappeared from the case and I thought it had been sold. I stopped this morning and there it was again along with a gold on steel triple date Speedmaster. Long story short, I went back this afternoon, passed on the triple date and bought the Connie knowing that it wasn't perfect but pretty good (and I hadn't stopped thinking about). Price was reasonable, I thought (USD 1375.00).
I'm happy I bought it and now believe that I officially have the vintage watch bug.
Thanks to all again for the advice. Can't wait for the next find and purchase.
Good for you - you have done what we wish all new members would do, by seeking advice in advance of a purchase, listening to what is said, then making up your own mind. I think you have made a good buy.
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wilderbeast
·Great story and a good purchase at that (slightly lower) price. A good Connie is always a special piece to own. Enjoy it!
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malilis
·J JLN765After a number of months I've come full circle. Some on the Forum may remember I also stumbled across a gold 1944 Chromometre. I didn't end up buying it (hope someone else here did) and bought a moon phase Master Ultra Thin JLC instead.
I've made a few stops at this shop in the past few months where I found the black dial Connie to see what they had. The watch had disappeared from the case and I thought it had been sold. I stopped this morning and there it was again along with a gold on steel triple date Speedmaster. Long story short, I went back this afternoon, passed on the triple date and bought the Connie knowing that it wasn't perfect but pretty good (and I hadn't stopped thinking about). Price was reasonable, I thought (USD 1375.00).
I'm happy I bought it and now believe that I officially have the vintage watch bug.
Thanks to all again for the advice. Can't wait for the next find and purchase.
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gatorcpa
··ΩF InvestiGatorGood things come to those who wait.
Now if we could find you a proper 10-sided crown...😉
gatorcpa
Now if we could find you a proper 10-sided crown...😉
gatorcpa
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cristos71
·Looks like a great bargain to me 👍 I can hardly believe no-one bought it in the last 4 months! Where are you located? It must have an uncannily low Constellation collector per capita ratio.
