Hi all. I have a Constellation for which I'd like to get an authentic crystal. I have the case back number - 166.005, but I suspect my Constellation is a bit of a franken so I'm not sure if that will entirely help. The case is SS, and my calipers measure 1.230", 31.242mm, as the crystal diameter at least as I can measure it while it's mounted. If I could get some help narrowing down the possibilities for the correct crystal and matching silver ring I'd appreciate it.
IIRC there are some 70s Connies without chronometer designation Is the case back definitely 166.005? (As opposed to 168.005) There are only so many Connies case styles so pics of the case should help our resident watchmakers help you
I'll have to get pics once I get home. It's a chronometer - there's a 561 under the hood and the dial is labeled correctly.
In that case it'll be a 168.005 dogleg (or should be) You should be able to find the correct crystal on cousins or ofrei Still post pics though as we've seen a couple of case back swaps recently
No doubt good info but we just have to see what case the OP actually has if he thinks the case back has been changed for an incorrect one
It would best to see a picture of the case style to say if it is a 166.005 or a 168.005 or something else all together.
Thanks M. C., but I think that's why my case is a franken. The 5015 I think is 1.204" in diameter. The one fronting the watch right now is 1.230".
Okay. Here are the pics. You'll note the existing non Omega crystal has no ring, and that the face is marked "CHRONOMETRE" and not "CHRONOMETER". I've seen other Constellations marked this way so I'm not sure, but I think it might be okay. It was sold from within Germany by someone who (I'm told) purchased it from a private owner.
Well I'm jet lagged so only going to say it's definitely the wrong case back Looks like late 50s early 60s lyre shaped lugs Others better versed will no doubt chip in with good info on case style The movement looks silver - has the finish been removed or is it just the lighting?
The dial looks refinished to me, There are better qualified members on here who will be able to say for sure if it is a redial or not.
It might be a case reference 14393? The crystal for the case reference would be 063pz5140, you can cross reference that crystal size.
The case looks and fits cal. 561 exactly like ref. 14393, but the crystal for this ref is only 29.64mm. No way a 14393 can fit a 31mm crystal which is even bigger than that of the bigger case 168.005. What is the diameter of this case? IMO, the easiest way for this watch is to be used as parts only. To make this watch right at least an original dial and a correct caseback are needed, but then the case is already too worn out to merit the effort and time required.
Ref 14393 has the outside diameter of 34mm. You can check yours to confirm. (Also measure the largest diameter of the case back just to make sure your caliper is not off.)
Let me measure again... Well, near as I can get to the edges of the crystal while it's still in the case, I get 1.145" or 29.083". So my initial measurement was off. Within the range of variation it does seem like this is a 14393.