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omega constellation 168.004 repair and parts advice

M
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IMG_0448.jpg IMG_0446.jpg IMG_0447.jpg IMG_0451.jpg IMG_0449.jpg


This watch now belongs to my wife, it was her father's watch. He had a car accident and he went through the wind screen which b%ggered it (and him), it was chucked in a drawer 30 years ago,before that he wore it every day so it reminds her of him. She really would like to wear it again but I cant find some of the parts to get it repaired, the most important piece that is missing is the gilt bezel, I have been looking for years in the hope one may come up with no joy? If any one has one or knows where I can get one please let me know.

The watch is a gold plated 168.004 CD case that had no glass, hands, crown and a damaged dial. I

have managed to get a replacement dial that I hope is correct? (in the 2nd photo and the original one in the 3rd ).

I have a generic glass for it and I have probably 5 sets of dauphine hands that have come from cal 565 movements over the years which I have kept. Would I be able to use these (some of them seem the same as constellation ones)?

Would someone please let me know what is the correct number and shape of the crown for this model?, it would be a real help thanks.

The movement is a cal 561 and the serial number is 21270508.

I know very little about constellations so any advice would be really appreciated.
My interest with Omegas is sm 300's 165 &166.0024's and 166.0234's.

This is not to re-sale or add to a collection it's a watch that has genuine sentimental value to my wife who just wants her dad's watch to wear. Authenticity is not the most important thing to her, I am just trying to get it up and running for her.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
IMG_0452.jpg
Peemacgee
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@maximilian g

As @X350 XJR suggests a loose bezel will be unobtainium.
Your .004 is gold capped and you will need a goldsmith to fashion you a new bezel in 14k gold.

The original (hidden) crowns are no longer made, but there are two specific replacement crowns for this reference.
If you look at Cousins or Otto Frei you might find one. ( and the reference)

The dial is tricky.
If you know for certain that you bought a .004 dial all is good - however, if you bought a loose Constellation dial ( e.g. for a dogleg) it may be the wrong size.

Hands for a Constellation are also quite specific but other Omega hands might fit ok if your other half isn’t bothered about originality.

Hope that helps.

(BTW much much better pics would help us help you. )
 
Peemacgee
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According to @hoipolloi in previous threads the .004 and .010 have the same size dial and that an .010 dial is 29.3mm diameter.
 
M
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
@maximilian g

As @X350 XJR suggests a loose bezel will be unobtainium.
Your .004 is gold capped and you will need a goldsmith to fashion you a new bezel in 14k gold.

The original (hidden) crowns are no longer made, but there are two specific replacement crowns for this reference.
If you look at Cousins or Otto Frei you might find one. ( and the reference)

The dial is tricky.
If you know for certain that you bought a .004 dial all is good - however, if you bought a loose Constellation dial ( e.g. for a dogleg) it may be the wrong size.

Hands for a Constellation are also quite specific but other Omega hands might fit ok if your other half isn’t bothered about originality.

Hope that helps.

(BTW much much better pics would help us help you. )

Thank you both very much.
I will try to gat some better photos and add them.
I didnt realise that the watch was gold capped.( a bit easier to find than unobtainium).
Would you know if hands that fit a cal 565 will also fit a cal 561?
unfortunately cousins and otto frei no longer have stocks of them. if you know the crown numbers that would be really helpful for me to search on platforms like ebay etc.
again thank you for any help.
 
sheepdoll
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They should
Most of these are based on the 470/550 base caliber.

My book only goes through 1961 or so.

IMG_4413.png

RanFFT tables are probably based on these tables

Screen Shot 2024-04-03 at 10.44.03 AM.png


I have been collecting parts for a Geneve Dynamic. 565 was the most common movement for these.

563 seems to be the base caliber for 565. This retains the 27.00mm movement size.

Constellations tended to use the 500 series which is also 470 based but is 28.00 mm. More confusing is 471 was only 25.00mm And 330 is 30.10mm

Some parts are interchangable some are not.

Bezels, which are part of the case are usually made at the same time the case is. A device known as a parting tool cuts the groove, This way the outside and the inside can snap over each other.

Omega was (and remains) a master at statistical manufacturing processes. They may have come up with guages and gradings to get parts to fit together.

From my jewlry classes you can get bezel wire from the materials houses. This is a drawn wire with the undercut. There is a need to be able to solder gold. (why I never tried it with my pocket watch cases) I suspect the process is not that differnt than making a ring.

In the 18th century they used crudish lathes, and something called a wooden box chuck. The boxwood would be soaked in water which would make it expand to hold the metal. I never had any luck trying this. The tool tends to grab the work.

Currently I am experimenting with lasers to replicate some parts. I have succesfuly cut movment rings. I need to find time to spend with the fiber laser to find the settings for cutting thing metal.


It really comes down to time and determination. There are no shortcuts.
 
M
Posts
77
Likes
43
sheepdoll sheepdoll
They should
Most of these are based on the 470/550 base caliber.

My book only goes through 1961 or so.

IMG_4413.png

RanFFT tables are probably based on these tables

Screen Shot 2024-04-03 at 10.44.03 AM.png


I have been collecting parts for a Geneve Dynamic. 565 was the most common movement for these.

563 seems to be the base caliber for 565. This retains the 27.00mm movement size.

Constellations tended to use the 500 series which is also 470 based but is 28.00 mm. More confusing is 471 was only 25.00mm And 330 is 30.10mm

Some parts are interchangable some are not.

Bezels, which are part of the case are usually made at the same time the case is. A device known as a parting tool cuts the groove, This way the outside and the inside can snap over each other.

Omega was (and remains) a master at statistical manufacturing processes. They may have come up with guages and gradings to get parts to fit together.

From my jewlry classes you can get bezel wire from the materials houses. This is a drawn wire with the undercut. There is a need to be able to solder gold. (why I never tried it with my pocket watch cases) I suspect the process is not that differnt than making a ring.

In the 18th century they used crudish lathes, and something called a wooden box chuck. The boxwood would be soaked in water which would make it expand to hold the metal. I never had any luck trying this. The tool tends to grab the work.

Currently I am experimenting with lasers to replicate some parts. I have succesfuly cut movment rings. I need to find time to spend with the fiber laser to find the settings for cutting thing metal.


It really comes down to time and determination. There are no shortcuts.
thank you
 
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