Looking for a Connie - Advice on some options appreciated!

Peemacgee · Mar 10, 2017

J Johnny_H
Ok, one more for this evening 😀

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=7419605

I also found it on his Instagram page - looks like some damage to dial at 4 o clock. Hard to see properly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNu3G9Pg42N/

I can't open the Rolex forum site but can see the Instagram image
I think these indices were Rhodium (?) plated
I think the lugs are soft -but that is just from the one image I can access
I pretty much agree with what @ConElPueblo said but I'd want a much sharper case for that price

BTW The 'seller' is a recent member here on the forum

Peemacgee · Mar 10, 2017

J Johnny_H
This is the kind of info I just don't possess myself. Thank you for the direction!

I said I was done but I have one more I want to ask about 😉

Does that cyclops glass make sense?

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/381990416701

this last one I quite like
it has been polished (probably for sale) but still retains the edges on the lugs and case
good dial
hands have lost some plating
it's missing the case seal
I'm a little concerned about the colour of the movement and the fact that the crown isn't snug against the case

the cyclops is a personal preference and came as an option -although I can't see the Omega symbol on the crystal

w154 · Mar 11, 2017

I was looking at this one, but looking back just now it seems to have sold.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Men-039-s...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I would be say to be patient, and keep a very close eye on eBay and forum sales boards, and you'll surely find a great example in the next month or so. I would also recommend the path of taking small risks with family owned watches from eBay. As long as the case and dial are great then the movement can always be repaired, and I find doing a bit of work yourself is a great way to bond with a new watch.

ConElPueblo · Mar 11, 2017

J Johnny_H
This is the kind of info I just don't possess myself. Thank you for the direction!

Hey, hey, HEY!

Nothing that has been said here is unavailable! You just need to do a bit of research first - sooner or later people here will lose patience with you and demand that you start doing your own home work...

You can start here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish.52603/

The particular issue with luminous hands/dial is even specifically mentioned...

I'm not out to scare you away or anything, we're all for new, enthusiastic members here 😀

w154
I was looking at this one, but looking back just now it seems to have sold.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Men-039-s-Omega-Constellation-Watch-/192125423695?hash=item2cbb91504f:g:uusAAOSw32lYvv6C&nma=true&si=bwLjPAkJwH15OW%2Fphgv8FYuTrCU%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

A good example of an item someone with a bit of knowledge and a lot of courage could score a great watch (or lose quite a bit of money) by gambling on.

Johnny_H · Mar 12, 2017

Here is one I found on ebay thats about a 10 minute drive from where I live funnily enough. I live in a small city in Ireland circa 200k people so that's some coincidence!

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/252800419684

I'll try and make my own call on it but appreciate correction and further input ( thanks so much for all the advice to date BTW)

- Case looks sharp and not polished, has some scratches.
- Dial legit but aged and only ok condition.
- Hands are good.
- Crown is legit but was replaced at service so is not strictly period correct.
- Crystal is scratched and might need replacing
-BOR is showing signs of age and looks stretched

No movement pics a worry, could be a good deal at the right price (I'm thinking closer to 800 than the 1140 listed) but could also be expensive to get running right and only a service will tell me that.

There is an Omega AD in town that I'm guessing this probably came from so I'll try and get the serial number and run it past them.

Ps - engraving doesn't bother me but generally speaking do they take away value?

Edward53 · Mar 12, 2017

I might be behind the times with Constellation prices but I wouldn't give 800 for that. The dial looks ok to me from those rather limited pictures, but the case back is in a well-worn state and I couldn't live with that engraving, and yes they always hurt the value unless they are to someone special or particularly beautifully done. The BOR end links don't fit the watch and as you say, the BOR itself is pretty rough. IMO it's only worth getting by a watchmaker who has a spare caseback and crown and can fit them and service it himself, and I think he'd want it cheap. My thoughts: pass on this as it's not "the one".

ETA: I think you may be in danger of making the mistake I made and so have a lot of others. You decide you'd like one of these, you see prices rising and you find a load of discussion on line, and you think Heck, things are moving and I'd better get one quick before the ship sails! It's not like that, and patience really is the best policy. Even if you pay over the odds for a really good example, you'll love owning it and you'll soon forget about the money. If you buy in haste you'll almost certainly regret it and end up with something you need to sell at a loss. You might as well stay calm, hold fire and wait till you see the whites of their eyes!

Johnny_H · Mar 12, 2017

Edward53
You decide you'd like one of these, you see prices rising and you find a load of discussion on line, and you think Heck, things are moving and I'd better get one quick before the ship sails! It's not like that, and patience really is the best policy.

That's pretty much it alright, seems I picked the wrong time to develop a crush on Connies and that's after having the same thing happen me with JLC Memovoxs which seemed to spike some time after that Hodinkee article came out praising them 🙁

I was patient in finding my Reduced Speedmaster
and did well there so I know I need to rein it a bit and won't put my money on any old thing.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and for the reality check 😉

I'm gonna go try the one for sale locally on anyway - I have yet to wear/see a Connie in person and want to get a feel for them

Peemacgee · Mar 12, 2017

J Johnny_H
I'm gonna go try the one for sale locally on anyway - I have yet to wear/see a Connie in person and want to get a feel for them

you're going to get a big surprise at the size of the Connie as they look really small when you first see one/put one on
however, persevere as contrary to popular opinion, size is not everything!

Johnny_H · Mar 12, 2017

Peemacgee
you're going to get a big surprise at the size of the Connie as they look really small when you first see one/put one on
however, persevere as contrary to popular opinion, size is not everything!

Thanks for the reply, my interest in watches was sparked by a gift my wife picked me up of a Skagen dress watch a couple of years ago, very retro styled dress watch @ 35mm and I loved it! Got lots of compliments and I knew nothing about the movement / horology of it! I didn't even understand that a "bigger is better" mentality prevaded a of watch fashion.

That started me off and my first 'proper' watch then was a 3539.50 Speedy Reduced I got about a year ago. Specifically went for it due to the 39mm case. I wanted a retro inspired dress watch and got an Orient Bambino but at 40" it was far too big so I gave it to my father who loves it! I only have 6.5" wrists and like understated with a touch of retro class - hence the 12 month search for the 'right' vintage dress watch. A JLC Memovox 855 or Constellation 168.005 being the two options I really love the look/style/history of.

BartH · Mar 12, 2017

If you're not used to watches like a 44mm U-Boat beast, you might also be pleasantly surprised how the 34-35,5mm Constellations wear.

My 35mm ref. 2852 is superb and the doglegged 34,3mm cases also wear nice (also because of the long lugs and the slim bezel).

@Peemacgee is a fan of the hidden crown models, which measure 35,5mm. They're fine, moreso when fitted with a pie pan dial. 😁

Pahawi · Mar 12, 2017

Onyx markers, cross hair, sunburst dial and on BOR - what's not to like 😀

Banner Roar · Mar 12, 2017

J Johnny_H
Here is one I found on ebay thats about a 10 minute drive from where I live funnily enough. I live in a small city in Ireland circa 200k people so that's some coincidence!

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/252800419684

I'll try and make my own call on it but appreciate correction and further input ( thanks so much for all the advice to date BTW)

- Case looks sharp and not polished, has some scratches.
- Dial legit but aged and only ok condition.
- Hands are good.
- Crown is legit but was replaced at service so is not strictly period correct.
- Crystal is scratched and might need replacing
-BOR is showing signs of age and looks stretched

No movement pics a worry, could be a good deal at the right price (I'm thinking closer to 800 than the 1140 listed) but could also be expensive to get running right and only a service will tell me that.

There is an Omega AD in town that I'm guessing this probably came from so I'll try and get the serial number and run it past them.

Ps - engraving doesn't bother me but generally speaking do they take away value?

Watch looks in good condition and original but as a whole doesn't speak to me.

From a fellow Irish man living in the far north west I too never see vintage Omegas locally. I get my watches from far and wide but the extra cost means I wait for the right watch for the write price. I spent six months reading on here, speedmaster101, constellation collectors blog and bought an AJTT and MWO reference books. I realised that I didn't have a clue how to spot a correct collectors watch and avoid new collectors tax 'noob tax'. I still get opinions on here for watches but be careful comments can be cutting from some members which can be deserved and is understandable if see how many long lost uncle watches are trawled on here for assessment and valuations before going onto ebay. If your a real watch fan welcome and enjoy the ride.....

harrymai86 · Mar 12, 2017

Got this on ebay for only a little more than 1k last month. Sometimes you just need to be patient and get lucky.

This cleaned up nicely

BartH · Mar 12, 2017

harrymai86
Got this on ebay for only a little more than 1k last month. Sometimes you just need to be patient and get lucky.

This cleaned up nicely

Terrific buy!

ConElPueblo · Mar 12, 2017

BartH
Terrific buy!

That's putting it mildly! Steal of the year 👍

BartH · Mar 12, 2017

Sold this one a couple of months ago: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-constellation-pie-pan.42313/

Not pristine, but very very good looking.

Peemacgee · Mar 12, 2017

BartH
@Peemacgee is a fan of the hidden crown models, which measure 35,5mm. They're fine, moreso when fitted with a pie pan dial. 😁

You mean like these ones? 😉

Hattrick · Mar 12, 2017

Pahawi
Onyx markers, cross hair, sunburst dial and on BOR - what's not to like 😀

DIBS if i may.
I'll be the 99th hoping to buy something that you'll never sell 😀

Edward53 · Mar 12, 2017

BartH
Sold this one a couple of months ago: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-constellation-pie-pan.42313/

Not pristine, but very very good looking.

Wow. They don't get better than that and the price was fair. Not surprised it flew out!

Kja · Mar 12, 2017

I really love the 50's ones..

Looking for a Connie - Advice on some options appreciated!

Peemacgee

Peemacgee

w154

ConElPueblo

Johnny_H

Edward53

Johnny_H

Peemacgee

Johnny_H

BartH

Pahawi

Banner Roar

harrymai86

BartH

ConElPueblo

BartH

Peemacgee

Hattrick

Edward53

Kja

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