Newbie introduction and my grandfather's Constellation 14747-1

Hello Omega Forums, I have been lurking for a few weeks before becoming a member of the forum.

I’ve only had two watches in my life, my grandfather’s Elgin pocket watch and a Seiko 5 superior from the early 2000s that was a graduation present and tradition in our family. This changed late September of this year when my mother came home from a trip to see relatives, and now I have a third and the reason I joined this forum.


This is my grandfather’s Constellation, He passed it down to my uncle who is his godson who then decided to pass it down to me.

This is a recounting of how I went about identifying the watch knowing next to nothing about watches let alone the vintage luxury segment of watches. I started researching online and eventually I found Desmond’s blog and then down the proverbial rabbit hole I went. After a few minutes of reading, it became apparent to me that I would have to open the case back to see any serial number or identification numbers, luckily the case back came off easily with just my fingers.


I then look up those numbers on google and end up with the top 2 results being this forum post: https://omegaforums.net/threads/constellation-14747-and-14397-models.11452/ and Desmond’s blog: https://omega-constellation-collect...03/the-elusive-omega-constellation-14747.html


I was already thinking this was so surreal just being the one this watch was passed down to but then seeing that it was this hit even harder. I emailed Desmond and got a wonderful reply with sage advice to avoid Omega authorized dealers/service centers and find watchmaker that knows his way around old Omegas. I did manage to find a Omega specialist watchmaker here In the Philippines but he told me parts are scarce here and I would have to purchase online and ship them in. I found omegaaddict.com, Tim was very helpful and I was able to purchase a winding stem and setting lever spring from him. The correct crown though still eludes me. So I’m on an ongoing quest to restore my families heirloom and its already been quite a trip!

The last 2 pictures show one damaged link on the bracelet, I found a seller on ebay that had parts of a bracelet. see photo:
I bought it knowing that it may not be the right part or size but my rational was "hey i only need 1 link". It arrives a few days later and was better than I though. This is what that pile looks like after putting it together:

Thank you, kind sirs. I already know how much its worth = Priceless because it’s my grandfathers! That's why I picked custodian as a forum name, I will restore and take care of this watch until I can pass it on to the next generation in my family.


To continue on with this journey, I would have posted sooner to ask for advice if I had figured out sooner that I don’t need photobucket to upload photos (I seriously considered paying their 8 dollar ransom..) So before figuring out the right crown I needed was #4204 I was working on the assumption that all I needed was a decagon crown for 2mm case tube. I purchased one https://gleave.london/crown-steel-omega-st42009/ and it arrived today and it does fit the case tube and will do for now until I can find the so called flat foot 4204 thin crown. Here is what it looks like just on the case tube with out the winding stem.

I am also looking for the correct crystal. On one of the charts I saw it looks to be part number 5000 with silver/white retaining ring not sure if prefix is pz or px? when I look it up on eBay I can find the plain ones but not one with the cyclops/date magnifier. I recall reading somewhere that the suffix L indicated cyclops/date magnifier but I am not really sure, any one know what is correct?

I reviewed this thread again: https://omegaforums.net/threads/crown-glass-gasket-list.81619/ and put it together with table on https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/ for the 352 to 565 movement connies. would it be correct to assume crowns 42050, 42055, 43041 and 43048 are later replacement numbers?
If the crown and crystal reference is correct then it looks like I did get the right crown 42009 (2mm case tube) which seems to just have been used on ref.14747, 18747 and 14777 so its a bit of an oddball. 42004 looks like they were only on the dog leg lug references.

Thanks for the advise, yes I am perfectly happy to settle for the standard crystal. I have found a few options on eBay but will try my luck with polywatch 1st.

I was looking at this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165445592021?var=465002737121 the one labeled no. 769 is same diameter as pz5000 but I don't know about the dome height? Also is this an older parts number style?
And this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313248544545?shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId with same diameter but dome height of 5mm? assuming this one is accurate https://welwynwatchparts.co.uk/products/omega-pz5000-genuine-armour-glass-29-62mm-x-4-30mm PZ5000 should be at 4.3mm high, would that .7mm difference be noticeable?

Referencing this post https://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-a-genuine-5140-crystal.149274/#post-2035034 the chart lists the correct crystal as number 6, is it safe to say this is what I should look out for on eBay? The packaging style I mean? I assume its an older parts number style than the one in the 1st eBay link?

On another note, today I left the watch with the most highly recommended local watchmaker for Swiss watches by the Philippine Watch Club forums for a full servicing and itemizing a list of parts I may need to replace. He has a back log of work so he will be start the process this Wednesday, I am anxious but hopeful that it will all be good news.

I got the watch back from servicing and the good news is no other parts are needed to replace aside from the winding stem. watchmaker said that all the parts are in very good condition and to comeback when the winding stem arrives for installation. Here are pictures of the movement in its lovely new shine:
I also used Polywatch and fine sandpaper on the crystal and I am very happy with the results, I don't think the pictures show it well enough but scratches are all gone with just 20 minutes of elbow grease.

congrats and welcome - beautiful watch 👍

I did some "photoshop" on your picture 😉

I finally got the winding stem and had it installed. Got to wear it for Christmas eve and day so its been a very merry Christmas for me. hope you are all having a great Christmas as well!

beautiful! 👍 and merry x-mas

Although I am not a huge fan of the magnifier, this watch looks great, especially with the bracelet. Wear it in good health and merry Christmas!