Not sure where to lay the blame... too many glasses of prosecco or time zone differences? Either way, I ended up with a tired old Constellation back in June. The good thing was that I picked it up quite inexpensively, for probably a “parts” price. The watch was still running, but its dial was missing furniture and it needed a bezel and a service for sure.

My delivery address and where I live are are separated by an ocean, so there was a long lag between buying the watch and getting my hands on it. I occupied my spare hours on the Forum and the more time I spent, the more I realized how much I didn’t know! I immediately began to fret that I might have gotten myself a fake and then that it might be a franken. Cue sinking feeling in stomach...

A couple posts later and with all your help, I was able to determine that it was neither! Beyond that, there wasn't a whole lot of encouragement for this project because this is what I bought:




Some time before the purchase and thanks to OF, I came across @No Mercy . In fact, I still regret that I flinched when I had the chance to buy almost this same watch from him, in perfect condition. If there's a hero in this story, it's definitely Dat (No Mercy)! He is a skilled, determined and resourceful watch maker! Without him, I wouldn't have anything to post as this purchase would be sitting in a drawer waiting for her make-over. Dat sourced the missing hour markers and a bezel and gave her a heck of a service! Setting the time and the date is so silky, yet solid! She's like a brand new watch!

The final result:



I think this will be my favorite vintage find ever! I've been in love with these pie pan dials since I first stumbled on to the Forum, but it seemed like I'd never find a nice one. It was a stroke of luck that the junker I found was authentic and that I met Dat! And finally, the whole investment amounts to much less than what a comparable Constellation is selling for these days. Now that I finally have it to wear, I think I want yet another new strap…this one seems too casual for such an auspicious watch!



Thank you Omega Forum members for helping me learn about these great watches! Thank you, Dat for your great work! It’s been a joyful education and an edifying experience, indeed!

 

Most awesome! Terrific Job!

 

Thank you! So happy here on this!

 

Beautiful watch, congratulations.
Have you considered a bracelet?
Here´s my ref. 14902 from 1962, with an original Omega 1037 bracelet:



Best regards

 

Wow! That does look great! I wasn't sure how it would look with those dog leg lugs, but yours is awesome! I have a GoR bracelet on my more aged Constellation and I really love it - I think I might try it on this one too! Now, to find one!

Now, my case is 168.005, I wouldn't know where to begin finding the right bracelet number...

 

There is very little difference between 14902 and 168.005. The medallion on the case back is protruding on the 14902, not so on the 168.005. That's the thing I look for to distinguish between them. And of course the absence of "Officially Certified" on the dial of certain, early examples of the 14902. Both models use 18 mm straps/bracelets.

The 1037 is probably the best bracelet for your watch, and these aren't that difficult to find in good condition. However, the end links may be more difficult to source. The ones used on my watch are modern # 800´s. I bought these as Omega spare parts about a year ago, but they seem much harder to find now. These end links are not period, but they fit the watch nicely, and the basic design is similar to the original ones. I have never been able to work out whether there was in fact a recommended end link for 14902/168.005 ...

You may also be able to use the older # 70 endlinks, but I´m not sure how well they will fit the case.

Best regards

 

My 168.005 has no. 70 end links

 

Only difference is caseback as Woodward states

 

The 1037 is probably the best bracelet for your watch, and these aren't that difficult to find in good condition.

...and so the quest begins! Those end links don't sound fun to find but if a modern piece fits, it should be great!

 

What about 8220 with #11 end links? No go?

 

Well, that looks great! The # 70 end links is a possibility then.

 

Here´s a picture of the caseback on my 14902, for comparison ...

 

The 8220 is a different model with fewer rows, and a more "rounded" appearance - in lack of a better word.
I have no experience fitting these to Connies - I use them on 50´s 30 mm watches - and can´t help you with end link recommendations.

But have a look through this thread - lots of good info here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/sizing-a-beads-of-rice-bracelet.28081/

 

Super helpful, thanks! I knew the one I saw couldn't be right for this watch - that would be far too easy!

 

I'm Sooo happy for you to finally have your pie pan back how it should be.. Its a wonderful feeling!

 

Wow amazing! Makes me kind of jealous Anyway I loved reading your post and who knows maybe I'll get my hands on one of these eventually Enjoy your connie!

 

I'm so psyched to have it back! No Mercy did such a nice job with it! I'm about to send him a bunch of Dynamics!

 

Just looking at a '61 cross-hair pie pan I also picked up this summer. These two are so similar...I think when I find a new GoR bracelet I'm going to move the elder one along. There aren't enough days or wrists to justify keeping two!

 

I think you should keep them both, the gold is a nice dress watch, this one is a great everyday watch! I like this one much more though!