My Father‘s Omega Constellation (late sixties)

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it is possible that the finish we see on the OPs bezel and the gold example you posted above was reserved for solid gold models.
(it would be interesting to see if they have ever shown up on a gold cap or steel version )

For what its worth ive only ever seen this on the solid gold models, this finer "fluting" which i took to be more a replacement of the radial brushing due to how soft gold is, its more the clearer cut flutes on the gold cap models. Perhaps
@kaplan knows more as im sure hes seen more c-cases than me.
 
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For what its worth ive only ever seen this on the solid gold models, this finer "fluting" which i took to be more a replacement of the radial brushing due to how soft gold is, its more the clearer cut flutes on the gold cap models. Perhaps
@kaplan knows more as im sure hes seen more c-cases than me.

If I'm not mistaken, the knurled bezels on c-cases are solid gold on both gold cap and steel (white gold - possibly rhodium plated as they tend to discolour) and should be solid gold on the earlier gold cap models too.
(the reason for gold bezels on gold cap models is that it is difficult to 'wrap' such a small item as a bezel with gold, so they were made as solid gold - 14k, like the gold cap IIRC)
 
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If I'm not mistaken, the knurled bezels on c-cases are solid gold on both gold cap and steel (white gold - possibly rhodium plated as they tend to discolour) and should be solid gold on the earlier gold cap models too.
(the reason for gold bezels on gold cap models is that it is difficult to 'wrap' such a small item as a bezel with gold, so they were made as solid gold - 14k, like the gold cap IIRC)
My understanding on the steel watches is some bezels are white gold and some are steel. The steel ones are easier to tell because they tend to show rust. Or perhaps that’s the rhodium discoloration you’re referring to? I’ve seen a bunch like that I’ll try to find a pic and update this post.
 
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My understanding on the steel watches is some bezels are white gold and some are steel. The steel ones are easier to tell because they tend to show rust. Or perhaps that’s the rhodium discoloration you’re referring to? I’ve seen a bunch like that I’ll try to find a pic and update this post.

it is a confusing subject but IIRC only the knurled 'silver' bezels are meant to be white gold (possibly rhodium plated)
 
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Indeed these low flute bezels are the 168.017/168.009 (date) or 168.019 models (day-date), more uncommon

The possible explanation makes a lot of sense too, after 1966 Omega switched from flat bezels to brushed bezels for steel C-Case's, and maybe this was their attempt at adding that brushing at solid gold models
 
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My (incoming) solid 168.017/168.009 from ‘67 has the same lower fluting.



My previous steel/gold 168.029’s (mostly from around ‘69) all have the large fluting.

 
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stunning C cases, but I'm much more attracted by dog legs, and preferably pie pans 🥰🥰
 
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Agreed, so am I. If had had to pick one watch to keep, it would be my 14900. But luckily there’s room for more watches in the box.