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Omega Constellation 14381, legit and worth buying?

Elipside
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Hi all,

I would like to get your advice on a potential purchase.
It's an Omega Constellation 14381, movement serial number 17XXXXXX (I have the full serial number, I don't know if it's important here and if it's useful to hide it, just let me know)

IMG_2525.jpg IMG_2526.jpg IMG_2527.jpg IMG_2528.jpg IMG_2529.jpg


I only have photos of the case and dial but should receive soon some pictures of the movement.

The story about tis watch:
"Watch was bought in Germany in 1961 by my father when he served in the RAF"

So I've looked up online other pictures of Omega 14381.
Some of them are similar to this one, some are more like pie pans, so I am a bit confused here.
Does this one look like a legit 14381?
What does the movement number should tell us?

I did not spot any differences with the other watches that are similar (hands, dial, logo, Swiss made with no T etc).
Omega applied logo looks good to me, as well as the various texts.

Not sure about the the crown?

I think I can see the omega logo on the crystal when zooming in closely.
Capture d’écran 2022-06-06 à 21.41.37.png


So this tells me it's not a fake or redial one.
What do you think?

The Omega Constellation Database dates the 14381 from 1959, so this one being 1961 could be consistent?

Condition wise, the case seems to be in very good condition, no visible scratch, the case back has not been polished to death like some I've seen online. So good for this.

The dial on the other hand has a few marks here and there and I don't know what's happened to the markers? Do you think they are just dirty? Could that be fixed with a gentle cleaning?
Capture d’écran 2022-06-06 à 21.36.07.png


The seller seems to be trustworthy as he prefers to meet.

And finally, price asked is £600 (in UK).

What's your honest opinion on this watch please? Worth buying or better finding another one for this price?

Thanks a lot.

Jerome
 
Dan S
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Serious damage on the dial and on the front of the one o'clock lug. Overall, the watch is in poor condition, and not something to consider at that price, IMO.
 
TexOmega
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Water/moisture incursion damaged that dial, heavy polishing of case. Very high asking price.

I would bet the movement will also show the signs of moisture damage, too.
 
Waltesefalcon
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Ditto what both @Dan S and @TexOmega say about the watch.

When you asked of the markers are just dirty, it's corrosion from the water incursion Tex brought up.
 
MtV
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Elipside Elipside
Condition wise, the case seems to be in very good condition, no visible scratches

Not much to add to the assessments above, just a small remark: The reason for the absence of scratches is the heavy polishing job. Search through the forum for sharp examples of 14381s and put the pictures side-by-side to this one. You’ll note the difference in the shape of the lugs (or lack thereof on this example).

Had this been in good condition, 600GBP would’ve been a good price indeed.
 
johnireland
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1,498
I don't hate this one at all. It's old and scuffed up and polished, etc., etc. In the full shots the dial looks good, in the close up of the lettering, not so much...and I find that true in a lot of older watches. Maybe some moisture damage in the past...but you want to see how the movement looks today because that will be what you are buying. If the movement is in good shape, it winds and sets smoothly, and keeps good time...and the price is sensible...I'd buy it. And don't get freaked out over all the case "polishing" remarks. So what if its been polished? It is an attractive watch that time and human hands have worn some of the hard edges off of. A new crystal just enjoy it.
 
ConElPueblo
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27,672
Elipside Elipside
Hi all,

I would like to get your advice on a potential purchase.
It's an Omega Constellation 14381, movement serial number 17XXXXXX (I have the full serial number, I don't know if it's important here and if it's useful to hide it, just let me know)

IMG_2525.jpg IMG_2526.jpg IMG_2527.jpg IMG_2528.jpg IMG_2529.jpg


I only have photos of the case and dial but should receive soon some pictures of the movement.

The story about tis watch:
"Watch was bought in Germany in 1961 by my father when he served in the RAF"

So I've looked up online other pictures of Omega 14381.
Some of them are similar to this one, some are more like pie pans, so I am a bit confused here.
Does this one look like a legit 14381?
What does the movement number should tell us?

I did not spot any differences with the other watches that are similar (hands, dial, logo, Swiss made with no T etc).
Omega applied logo looks good to me, as well as the various texts.

Not sure about the the crown?

I think I can see the omega logo on the crystal when zooming in closely.
Capture d’écran 2022-06-06 à 21.41.37.png


So this tells me it's not a fake or redial one.
What do you think?

The Omega Constellation Database dates the 14381 from 1959, so this one being 1961 could be consistent?

Condition wise, the case seems to be in very good condition, no visible scratch, the case back has not been polished to death like some I've seen online. So good for this.

The dial on the other hand has a few marks here and there and I don't know what's happened to the markers? Do you think they are just dirty? Could that be fixed with a gentle cleaning?
Capture d’écran 2022-06-06 à 21.36.07.png


The seller seems to be trustworthy as he prefers to meet.

And finally, price asked is £600 (in UK).

What's your honest opinion on this watch please? Worth buying or better finding another one for this price?

Thanks a lot.

Jerome

Hi Jerome.

The reference number 14381 doesn't refer to the dial type, but the case shape and what type of movement is in the watch. There are several types of dials on these and this one looks correct.

I would say that the overall appearance make it not attractive to me - the case has lost the facets on the lugs and overall sharpness and the dial seem to have suffered some issues with the markers and have been scratched. The crown is wrong too, which is a very minor consideration.

While I don't think that £600 is completely outrageous in the grand scheme of things, I would rather find a much better example at, say, £8-900 and keep that.
 
Peemacgee
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I was going to say it depends what you are looking for but I’m with the majority opinion here @Elipside.
You can find better examples ( but for more money)

The 14381 case is a lovely thing but this one has lost its facets and so lost most of it beauty.
The dial has full-lume indices in which the lume has become really grubby ( the gold indices could probably be cleaned up)
However, the marks around the indices and dial furniture are a problem as this is dial degradation (corrosion) not dirt.

If you can afford more, I would advise you bide your time and look for a nicer watch.
 
Caliber561
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The bezel is also a replacement. Much taller than one would expect for a 14381.

My conclusion: Nice heirloom, but nowhere near a good-condition, collector-grade piece. If I were the owner, I'd keep it for memories because it really isn't worth much in that state.
 
Elipside
Posts
38
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21
THANK YOU SO MUCH everybody. I knew I'd be missing a few things about this watch but did not expect that much.
I guess I was so focused on the price (that seemed quite good for a 14381) that I did not see the obvious.

I can live with small damages on the dial, but water incursion and corrosion no, the movement must be in bad shape as well then.

I think your conclusion @ConElPueblo about spending more money to get a better one is a wise advice (although that's what I was worried to hear, but that's the reality).

I am grateful for all your feedbacks, I would have bought the watch otherwise and probably regretted it later on.
I'll keep searching for another one, thanks again.

Jerome
 
Noddyman
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1,784
Elipside Elipside
I can live with small damages on the dial, but water incursion and corrosion no, the movement must be in bad shape as well then.
Not necessarily water damage imo. A lot of these ‘egg-shell’ white dial from this period (1958-1960 ish) with this marker style be it Constellation or Seamaster have some degree of damage around the markers. I always pay attention to these white dome dials as I have a 14381 with the same issues but to a lesser degree. The earlier white dialled 2943 calendar models can also be affected. Possibly moisture played some part here but I’m not convinced it’s the main reason. There’s a good chance the movement will be fine.
 
J
Posts
7
Likes
2
I have a Rolex DJ 16013 and the second hand has corrosion, it has never had water intrusion that I am aware of.
 
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