Need help with Constellation 168.009

taworn · Jan 18, 2025

I'm looking for a Constellation and find this 168.009. From the photos, the watch looks great to my little experience eyes. However, I feel like the watch doesn't look sharp enough, but not sure if I'm over thinking. Plus, not sure if it should come with fluted bezel since I find many photos of this model come with it. The seller asks for $2,550, which seems to lower than the average $3,xxx -$4,xxx. That makes me thinking if I miss something.

Would like to have your opinions about this watch if the condition is good and if it's a good deal. Appreciated any comment.

wagudc · Jan 18, 2025

The case is pretty soft (i.e. polished) and those asking $3-4k are dreaming in my opinion. It will take patience, but you can do much better for the price.

Dan S · Jan 18, 2025

That case would be too far gone for me, personally. Do a search for other examples and see what the chamfers should look like, as well as the original brushed finish. Those are the details that will give you joy in a vintage watch, not just the fact that the case is golden.

Peemacgee · Jan 18, 2025

If you like C cases @taworn you need to immerse yourself in their details ( which BTW is one of the most complicated Constellation references to learn about)
The example you show is unlikely to be an .009 as it’s a 24,2xx serial, with al cal 564 and has an OM marked gold dial.
However, the .017 reference still has a plain bezel.

As above the case is heavily polished and even when they are in excellent condition they should be around the price they’re asking for this one.

This essay by Desmond should be your starting point

http://omega-constellation-collecto...onstellation-c-shape-omegas-child-of.html?m=1

taworn · Jan 18, 2025

Dan S
That case would be too far gone for me, personally. Do a search for other examples and see what the chamfers should look like, as well as the original brushed finish. Those are the details that will give you joy in a vintage watch, not just the fact that the case is golden.

Thank you for your advice. Also, I miss that the original has brushed finish.

taworn · Jan 18, 2025

Peemacgee
If you like C cases @taworn you need to immerse yourself in their details ( which BTW is one of the most complicated Constellation references to learn about)
The example you show is unlikely to be an .009 as it’s a 24,2xx serial, with al cal 564 and has an OM marked gold dial.
However, the .017 reference still has a plain bezel.

As above the case is heavily polished and even when they are in excellent condition they should be around the price they’re asking for this one.

This essay by Desmond should be your starting point

http://omega-constellation-collecto...onstellation-c-shape-omegas-child-of.html?m=1

I'll definitely check that article thank you. Actually, I focus on a pie pan, but this one comes up which I mistakenly think a good deal. Try to tell myself to be more patience.

kaplan · Jan 18, 2025

wagudc
The case is pretty soft (i.e. polished) and those asking $3-4k are dreaming in my opinion. It will take patience, but you can do much better for the price.

The demand is very high lately and the gold value alone including the dial is very close to the asking price, C-Cases are super heavy, for a good example $3k is very realistic in the open market but I feel like auctions will still be sub $2k. Luckily only in Turkey you can get gold melted with very little loss, if in EU/US people could get the melt prices we get I feel like these watches wouldn't even hit the market, easier to get $100 less and just have it melted

The watch itself is very polished, and the sad part is it's probably polished to make it look more appealing

taworn · Jan 18, 2025

kaplan
The demand is very high lately and the gold value alone including the dial is very close to the asking price, C-Cases are super heavy, for a good example $3k is very realistic in the open market but I feel like auctions will still be sub $2k. Luckily only in Turkey you can get gold melted with very little loss, if in EU/US people could get the melt prices we get I feel like these watches wouldn't even hit the market, easier to get $100 less and just have it melted

The watch itself is very polished, and the sad part is it's probably polished to make it look more appealing

Can you approximate how much gold is in c-case watch?

kaplan · Jan 19, 2025

taworn
Can you approximate how much gold is in c-case watch?

With everything removed and just the case metal, it's 31-36 grams - Swiss cases being around 32 without polishing and dropping with polishing/use

Dial is likely 4-6 grams, forgot the exact amount but I think it weighs 5-ish - not every dial is 18K - but the watch you shared 100% has an 18K dial as it's OM marked

This is why there are so many loose movements or movements with 18K dials on eBay, I am going to sell two 18K watches soon and I know it will be more logical to have them melted instead but I emotionally can't

taworn · Jan 19, 2025

kaplan
With everything removed and just the case metal, it's 31-36 grams - Swiss cases being around 32 without polishing and dropping with polishing/use

Dial is likely 4-6 grams, forgot the exact amount but I think it weighs 5-ish - not every dial is 18K - but the watch you shared 100% has an 18K dial as it's OM marked

This is why there are so many loose movements or movements with 18K dials on eBay, I am going to sell two 18K watches soon and I know it will be more logical to have them melted instead but I emotionally can't

Thank you. That’s very insightful. It’s sad for watch lovers.

Wizzar · Jan 19, 2025

Beside what's already been said, this dial is sooo beautiful, oh boy 😀

Need help with Constellation 168.009

taworn

wagudc

Dan S

Peemacgee

taworn

taworn

kaplan

taworn

kaplan

taworn

Wizzar

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