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Need Help! Constellation 168.0065 Flat Dial

Hensley
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I managed to purchase this beautiful piece recently and am looking for more information on it. Does anyone know anything more about this watch?

From the serial number, I presume it dates back to 1973 (Serial No. 37~). It uses the Cal. 1011 automatic chronometer movement and the case is factory-plated (ND on case back). Tried doing a search on google but have not been able to get any good hits.

Thank you.
Regards, Hensley

FCC80752-D7E5-4E30-9CC1-C256D2653F46.jpeg 3B6595DF-2FA7-40E0-BC9F-E7BCD8F289FD.jpeg 2C66A757-57DB-42EA-9FBE-82B674C155C3.jpeg 24378AC2-7A3C-444C-9C7D-CD051861232B.jpeg B6707C08-5A3C-449F-BA46-3A69AA9FE4BA.jpeg B0E5E4C3-DE67-4994-BF32-3ED4EB12777F.jpeg CE0EDE72-B9CE-4986-88B4-0AA5883B446C.jpeg F45F8FBB-4E5F-41F9-9048-5712A4B73E23.jpeg 9C2782E3-8000-4F4C-92D1-5F85A702A54D.jpeg
Edited:
 
Hensley
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MtV MtV
Pretty uncommon gold-plated variant of the 168.0065, of which the majority where stainless steel pie pan examples. Looks ok, a little beaten-up maybe. There's one major issue though: Where's the bezel?

Here's a great article about them in Desmond's blog:

http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2009/07/last-omega-constellation-piepan-left.html

I actually contacted Desmond via email and he told me that it looks authentic. Is there supposed to be a bezel for this model? How does it look like?
 
MtV
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Hensley Hensley
I see now! Thank you! I hope I can find a bezel that fits.

Not to discourage you, but even on the most common refs - and this certainly doesnt fall in that category - they're almost impossible to find. I'm not entirely sure if a 70s 168.0065 would have had a solid gold bezel like the gold-capped (and of course solid gold) Constellations of the 50s and 60s, but either way: Your best bet is probably to have one made. Maybe drop @No Mercy a PM and see if he can help you.
 
Hensley
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MtV MtV
Not to discourage you, but even on the most common refs - and this certainly doesnt fall in that category - they're almost impossible to find. I'm not entirely sure if a 70s 168.0065 would have had a solid gold bezel like the gold-capped (and of course solid gold) Constellations of the 50s and 60s, but either way: Your best bet is probably to have one made. Maybe drop @No Mercy a PM and see if he can help you.

Thank you! I think I will use it as it is for the time being. It still looks decent without the bezel.
 
janice&fred
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Hensley Hensley
Thank you! I think I will use it as it is for the time being. It still looks decent without the bezel.

Congrats on the watch and for sure it looks just fine to wear until you can find a bezel to complete it 👍

Depending on your geographic locale we could suggest some guys that might be able to modify/fit an existing bezel or make one for you.
 
TexOmega
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Hensley Hensley
I managed to purchase this beautiful piece recently and am looking for more information on it. Does anyone know anything more about this watch?

From the serial number, I presume it dates back to 1973 (Serial No. 37~). It uses the Cal. 1011 automatic chronometer movement and the case is factory-plated (ND on case back). Tried doing a search on google but have not been able to get any good hits.

Thank you.
Regards, Hensley




FCC80752-D7E5-4E30-9CC1-C256D2653F46.jpeg 3B6595DF-2FA7-40E0-BC9F-E7BCD8F289FD.jpeg 2C66A757-57DB-42EA-9FBE-82B674C155C3.jpeg 24378AC2-7A3C-444C-9C7D-CD051861232B.jpeg B6707C08-5A3C-449F-BA46-3A69AA9FE4BA.jpeg B0E5E4C3-DE67-4994-BF32-3ED4EB12777F.jpeg CE0EDE72-B9CE-4986-88B4-0AA5883B446C.jpeg F45F8FBB-4E5F-41F9-9048-5712A4B73E23.jpeg 9C2782E3-8000-4F4C-92D1-5F85A702A54D.jpeg




Hmmmmm, I would say Desmond, both he and his blog, would be a better than "good" hit.
 
Hensley
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janice&fred janice&fred
Congrats on the watch and for sure it looks just fine to wear until you can find a bezel to complete it 👍

Depending on your geographic locale we could suggest some guys that might be able to modify/fit an existing bezel or make one for you.

Thank you! I did not even notice the bezel was missing until MtV pointed that out. As you can probably tell, I am new to all this 🤔

I live in Japan and I purchased the watch here. I will try searching for someone locally but it would be great if you have any contacts I could work with.
 
Hensley
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TexOmega TexOmega
Hmmmmm, I would say Desmond, both he and his blog, would be a better than "good" hit.

Actually, I did read Desmond’s article entitled “
Last Omega Constellation PiePan Left Standing” but the flat dial model I believe I have was only mentioned briefly.

It’s great that there are so many seasoned collectors here to offer their advice. Much appreciated!
 
Hensley
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I just wanted to share that the bezel from a similarly sized De Ville 196.0158 was a tad too small. Will keep looking!

Edit: The omega website states that the 168.0065 is 34mm while the 196.0158 is 33.5mm. Just 0.5mm… 🙁

12831626-A610-4D05-AF01-69D552A479CF.jpeg 9EE101AC-A448-450A-B7F3-2769A55FB84E.jpeg
Edited:
 
MtV
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Hensley Hensley
I just wanted to share that the bezel from a similarly sized De Ville 196.0158 was a tad too small. Will keep looking!

Edit: The omega website states that the 168.0065 is 34mm while the 196.0158 is 33.5mm. Just 0.5mm… 🙁

12831626-A610-4D05-AF01-69D552A479CF.jpeg 9EE101AC-A448-450A-B7F3-2769A55FB84E.jpeg

Do note that the size of the watch doesn't say anything about the size of the bezel. And even two bezels with identical diameter might not be interchangable. It's really not that easy.

It's your watch, so your decision, of course, but let me just say from personal experience: I was positively surprised about the price of having a bezel made for my needs.
 
Hensley
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MtV MtV
Do note that the size of the watch doesn't say anything about the size of the bezel. And even two bezels with identical diameter might not be interchangable. It's really not that easy.

It's your watch, so your decision, of course, but let me just say from personal experience: I was positively surprised about the price of having a bezel made for my needs.

I see, thank you for your advice.
If I may ask, how much did you pay for yours?
 
gatorcpa
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Hensley Hensley
Actually, I did read Desmond’s article entitled “
Last Omega Constellation PiePan Left Standing” but the flat dial model I believe I have was only mentioned briefly.
That’s because at the time that article was written there were very few of the dome dial model known to exist. Yours is the first gold plated example of a Ref. 168.0065 I’ve seen.

I have no idea how to advise you on sourcing a new bezel, as for the time being, you are the proud owner of a horological unicorn. Although I suspect other examples exist somewhere in Japan.
gatorcpa
 
Hensley
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
That’s because at the time that article was written there were very few of the dome dial model known to exist. Yours is the first gold plated example of a Ref. 168.0065 I’ve seen.

I have no idea how to advise you on sourcing a new bezel, as for the time being, you are the proud owner of a horological unicorn. Although I suspect other examples exist somewhere in Japan.
gatorcpa

Thank you. I’m glad I found this piece, even though it is missing its bezel. I hope I can make it complete someday. 😀
 
SkunkPrince
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While the chances are not great, it is always worth contacting Omega. I received a 2627 bezel from them a while back.
 
Archer
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Hensley Hensley
Thank you. I’m glad I found this piece, even though it is missing its bezel. I hope I can make it complete someday. 😀

The bezel is not available from Omega.

I've had this place make bezels for me in the past - prices are very reasonable and the work is excellent:

HOME | watchcaserepair.com
 
Hensley
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
While the chances are not great, it is always worth contacting Omega. I received a 2627 bezel from them a while back.

Thank you, I might give that a shot.
 
Hensley
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Archer Archer
The bezel is not available from Omega.

I've had this place make bezels for me in the past - prices are very reasonable and the work is excellent:

HOME | watchcaserepair.com

If you do not mind, could you tell me how much you paid for their services?
 
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