hello all, picked up this 2853 18k yellow gold Constellation. I’ve done some research on it, and here’s what I think I know (feel free to correct me): 15 million serial circa 1956. Dial is repainted (not terribly well either). No lume hands are correct and match no lume arrowhead dial. Case is nice but polished. Crown is later and not correct to the watch. Crystal isn’t signed. Caseback is very nice condition still showing hashmarks in night sky. 120620 on inside is some sort of company internal coding. Cal 501 w/ 19 jewel movement is a rare type I’m based in USA so I cannot order an extract online. Is there not supposed to be a Caseback gasket to seal it properly? Does anyone know where I can get a clean, original and correct dial for it? Here are some pics for your guys, thanks in advance for the help.
Hello and welcome here. Pretty good assessment. The Dial is sadly an horrible redial, and dials are really hard to find for this ref. More knowledgeable Members will chime in. And yes, there should be an gasket in the Caseback.
Can you return it? I think I can say with some certainty that you will never find an original dial for this.
Just think... I had one. If you'll recall I ran some cleaning tests on it. I think I ended up selling it on ebay because I'd "never" need it. https://omegaforums.net/threads/any-chance-to-save-this-old-pie-pan.70142/ I have a friend who would sell me this one. It's a 16 million serial but has different 5 minute markers. Is it a correct substitute?
I would take that one over the first anyday. That watch would probably gleam with a little TLC and a light hand rub.
Also, I don't know if it's the lighting but the bezel in the first one looks polished to being totally rounded and the second one appears to have a rim contour. Just thinking if you already don't like the dial on the first one, it would be a long wait to try and make it whole again, I would just rather buy a better example.
AFAIK, the only difference between the Ref. 2852 and 2853 is the 18K gold dial. Otherwise should be totally compatible. Frankly, I would just purchase the Ref 2852 watch whole and keep the movement for parts. Either that or return the 18K one if possible. The case looked like a melted ice cube. I don’t think either the case or the dial is salvageable. gatorcpa
The issue here isn't the poor condition of the dial; it's the poor condition of the case. Even if you found a donor with a good dial, chances are that the donor watch would be more valuable - relatively speaking - with the dial than the one you have now would be. What I am trying to say is that you wouldn't add any value to the watch other than the value of the dial, so no 2+2=5 here. I know this sounds fairly cynical and I don't even like to bring market economics into the equation, but since funds aren't unlimited for most of us, sometimes it will make sense to cut one's losses and focus effort in a different direction.