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Need help with Constellation 168.009

taworn
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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.

IMG_2800.webp IMG_2801.webp IMG_2802.webp IMG_2803.webp IMG_2804.webp IMG_2805.webp IMG_2806.webp IMG_2807.webp IMG_2812.webp IMG_2811.webp
 
wagudc
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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
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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
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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
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Dan S 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
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Peemacgee 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
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wagudc 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
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kaplan 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
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taworn 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
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kaplan 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
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Beside what's already been said, this dial is sooo beautiful, oh boy 😀
 
Peemacgee
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thewatchlaundry thewatchlaundry
@Peemacgee

I will be writing a longer post in the C shape thread, since the movement serials are all over the place from 1966-1969 for this specific configuration, so are the details that are mentioned in the case back stamping/engraving.

In the mean time here is another watch originating from the same time frame that was sold a while ago.

https://marketplace.watchcharts.com...llation-line-ref-168-009-yg-solid-chronometer
This is a very similar watch @thewatchlaundry.

Again most likely a 168.017 not a 168.009 as Omega reused the cases when they changed the reference and simply double stamped them.
 
thewatchlaundry
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@Peemacgee

Got it!

Here is the picture of the other case-back.

1776299442133.webp


A few things to notice:

  • 702489 or a similar number isn't present. (this seems to be some kind of internal case-maker record keeping number)
  • The double stamping is inconsistent, 009 stamping is slim and clean while 017 is fat and old school. What makes it interesting is that its the exact opposite in the photo above.

What do you think of these things ?
 
Peemacgee
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The stamping inside gold constellation case backs is often inconsistent and of varying quality.
Just look at the Omega triangle and script in the OP’s example bc- it’s pretty terrible.
The cases were made by 3rd parties (the no.1 inside the key symbol)

The additional serial could well be a maker’s stock number.

OP’s case back for reference.

IMG_3641.webp
 
thewatchlaundry
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Yes these things seem to wildly differ.
According to the hallmark Ed. Wenger SA made the case.
Here is one with "SP" stamping and an alpha numeric record code.
1776468475526.webp
 
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