Omega Constellation 14393 61 SC Black Pie Pan

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I wonder if anyone would like to give their opinion on this Omega Constellation 14393 61 SC that was just sold on a local auction site, for around $500.

My observations are the following:

The black pie pan dial appears to be untouched and original.
Crystal is original.
The case looks reasonably decent and unpolished.
The serial number is for 1960, and the calibre 561, and are both correct for this watch.

However:
I don't think the hand set is original given their lume.
The crown is not original.
The automatic winding bridge is missing the wording 'adjusted for five positions and temperature' so it is not original to the watch.
The inside of the caseback has significant rotor wear but the rotor here doesn't seem to have as much corresponding wear, so another good indication of replacement.

I am curious whether this would have been a good buy or not at $500, or just an expensive headache to get back into order, given that original black pie pan dials are so desirable?

And please forgive the images, they are the ones I lifted off the auction site, but I think they show enough.

 
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Hands look fine - there is probably lume still in the ends of the indices too.

Interesting dial if you like the ‘starry’ look.

Likely the bridge and rotor has been swapped judging by the colour difference but you just don’t know.

Presumably $500 hammer = approx $625 all in.
Definitely worth a punt if you like the dial.
 
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Thanks for the reply!

Didn’t bid on it because of the replacement bridge, and the pictures weren’t the best so was hard to know exactly how much degradation was on that dial.

Was just wondering for future endeavours how easily it would be to find a ‘certified’ bridge for a Constellation.

I see whole 561 calibre movements on Ebay, but they’re pretty expensive once you factor in the cost of the watch, and then you might still have a colour difference in the metal.
 
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Was just wondering for future endeavours how easily it would be to find a ‘certified’ bridge for a Constellation.
I bought a watch with an incorrect bridge like that and was easily able to source the proper chronometer bridge. But that was in 2010. 15 years later, it's a problem. You might have to use an Omega certified watchmaker to obtain the necessary part, if it is even available anymore.
gatorcpa
 
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IMO an original gilt black dial is worth more than 500$. 561 parts are redundant. Also crown, hands are not hard to find. Dial and case are more important than movement (in almost cases IMO).
Edited:
 
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Thanks for your replies everyone.

Guess it’s just haunting me because I didn’t bid on it, and let it go without putting my hand up.

Then again, also glad I now don’t have yet another project watch that I have to get in order.
 
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You might have to use an Omega certified watchmaker to obtain the necessary part, if it is even available anymore
Somewhere, you can buy with a bit of money.

 
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@HadgeBadge - Now you know who to call.
gatorcpa
I don't buy these parts and I will not connect members to that source.
My post is intended to show collectors in this forum that there are sources of aftermarket parts out there.
 
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I don't buy these parts and I will not connect members to that source.
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

If you show parts that are not available and can’t be purchased, what’s the point?

Please don’t tease the members.
gatorcpa

PS - Part number is 551-1031. Here is a partial movement that has the correct bridge:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/405565891317
 
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