Looking for my first vintage Omega

Joepyeweed · Sat. 3:18pm

Looking for a Constellation or a Seamaster off of eBay. Definitely no date, with a hippocampus and everything else is up in the air. I've never bought a vintage watch before so I don't really know what to look for outside of basic damage to a watch. I do like the 471 an 55x calibres I've been seeing but would love help seeing if anything I'm seeing here is worth it.

Omega Seamaster .471
147.73 SC-61
I really like the dial on this one. All of the components look original as they're not too shiny but also not heavily weathered.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/267595868689

Omega Consellation .551
167.015
I love this one, and I really enjoy the constellations from this time but it looks too new? That's a redial, correct? And it's a minor thing but I really enjoy the gold medallion on the back.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/267595868717

Omega Seamaster .552
147.74
Kind of basic and the hands look a little rough. The band sucks too.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/277817328690

Omega Seamaster .501
2846-2848
Simple but maybe the right combination between wear and upkeep for a watch this age? Crown peeled off is a bummer though.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/147093469641

Omega Constellation .552
167.005
The pictures are super soft and the price is higher than I would like to pay but I do love the look of this one. The seller is also nearby so maybe worth taking a look in person?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/127633341685

Anyways, take it easy on me. Let me know if anything here is worth taking a second look or if I should be looking for something else/elsewhere.

reggie_v · Sat. 3:46pm

Hi There,

Only saying this as I know it’ll get mentioned - people will want photos as opposed to links.

I’ve only had a very quick browse through these but I think it’s worth really deciding if you want a Seamaster or a constellation. I sit in the constellation camp but they’re all excellent watches. The 500 series movements are highly regarded.

Worth noting on the 167.015 is that it’s a front loading case which requires a special tool for servicing and the crown stems can be a bit problematic due to a two part system where the crown can sometimes be pulled off if you’re not gentle with it. That being said I really like this reference.

SOG53 · Sat. 4:51pm

Welcome to OF

FYI members generally dont like to open links, better to post photos which will be visible in future while links disappear.

Also best to post 1 or 2 watches with what you have learned from your research- asking for review of 5 watches is too much.

Read this will be helpful to get best results:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-posting-guide.383/

Thread 'Vintage Omega Posting Guide' ·

When you have a vintage Omega that you would like to get some information about, whether you've found something you like on eBay or for sale locally, have had it for 50 years, or recently...

dsio · Feb 6, 2012

Peemacgee · Sat. 5:32pm

Welcome @Joepyeweed
As above, focus on what you really want, reduce the options and post pics.

I had a look at the two Constellations.

Whilst I’m not personally fond of the 167.015 (they are very much ‘marmite’ watches) it looks to be in good condition and at that price seems to represent pretty good value for money.

The pics for the 167.005 are atrocious but the case looks to be particularly good.
However, it’s impossible to properly assess the dial.
The case back shows significant rotor rub - so it needs a service.

It’s a very very early 167.005 but way too expensive at the moment for a dome dial.

However, if the dial is as good as the case it would be a decent deal at C$2000.

gatorcpa · Sun. 9:15am

Joepyeweed
Omega Consellation .551
167.015
I love this one, and I really enjoy the constellations from this time but it looks too new? That's a redial, correct? And it's a minor thing but I really enjoy the gold medallion on the back.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/267595868717

This is a very uncommon reference. Almost all of this model were the 168.015 with the cal. 564 with calendar feature.

https://stories.omegaforums.net/constellation-monocoque-piepan/

That being said, there isn’t a huge demand for them.

If you have a good watchmaker, the front loading case shouldn’t be much of an issue.

But you have to like the unusual shape.
gatorcpa

Joepyeweed · Mon. 5:56pm

I appreciate all the help here, guys! I'm going to post another, more focused, post with pictures.

myouss · 2026-05-05T11:03:57-0500

Joepyeweed
Looking for a Constellation or a Seamaster off of eBay. Definitely no date, with a hippocampus and everything else is up in the air. I've never bought a vintage watch before so I don't really know what to look for outside of basic damage to a watch. I do like the 471 an 55x calibres I've been seeing but would love help seeing if anything I'm seeing here is worth it.

Omega Seamaster .471
147.73 SC-61
I really like the dial on this one. All of the components look original as they're not too shiny but also not heavily weathered.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/267595868689

Omega Consellation .551
167.015
I love this one, and I really enjoy the constellations from this time but it looks too new? That's a redial, correct? And it's a minor thing but I really enjoy the gold medallion on the back.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/267595868717

Omega Seamaster .552
147.74
Kind of basic and the hands look a little rough. The band sucks too.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/277817328690

Omega Seamaster .501
2846-2848
Simple but maybe the right combination between wear and upkeep for a watch this age? Crown peeled off is a bummer though.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/147093469641

Omega Constellation .552
167.005
The pictures are super soft and the price is higher than I would like to pay but I do love the look of this one. The seller is also nearby so maybe worth taking a look in person?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/127633341685

Anyways, take it easy on me. Let me know if anything here is worth taking a second look or if I should be looking for something else/elsewhere.

167.005
Pictures aren't the greatest but to my eyes that looks to be a very tidy example. Dog legs seem sharp and dare I say unpolished, caseback medallion is razor sharp. Hard to say on dial condition.

167.015
Also looks very nice. Pictures are better here and can comfortably say it's a tidy example. Does not look to be a redial to me. Uncommon reference.
EDIT: Interestingly, the listing you've shared is the exact watch pictured in the OF article on the watch for this reference: https://stories.omegaforums.net/constellation-monocoque-piepan/. Same background with the flowers etc.

To me the others don't exactly stand out for any particular reason, and I'd personally be holding off for nicer examples, but maybe that's just me.

I do agree that you've cast a wide net and might benefit from narrowing your search a little.

Looking for my first vintage Omega

Joepyeweed

reggie_v

SOG53

Peemacgee

gatorcpa

Joepyeweed

myouss

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