Omega Constellation 168.004 Which Case Backs Fit?

Omyga99 · Jul 9, 2021

I lucked out, and the Elgin back I had in my drawer fits perfectly. My original case back is bent, as the medallion was pryed out by the scrapper I bought the watch from. This watch was recently serviced and a new balance wheel hairspring crown and stem installed...runs like a glove. SO! Let's put together a list of case back measurements.
I will add pictures shortly, along with more details.

Is there a way to cross reference casebacks?

Omyga99 · Jul 9, 2021

Pics Of 168.004 Gold on Stainless 561 Automatic Movement

gatorcpa · Jul 9, 2021

At least in theory, any Constellation caseback marked 168.004 would fit. Any others probably won’t.

Not sure what good the dimensions would do for you. There is no such thing as a generic Omega caseback to fit the case and provide the proper clearance for the rotor to move freely.
gatorcpa

PS - That scrapper is a vandal. There are ways to remove the medallion without destroying the caseback.

Omyga99 · Jul 9, 2021

Indeed..my heart just sunk when I saw the back. I bought the watch first..backless with hairspring yanked out. Went back a few days later and dug through a box of parts and found the mangled case back...ouch. I matched the Elgin back out of the same box and luckily it fit. THAT sort of gives me hope for some interchangeability between Constellation case backs..

Peemacgee · Jul 10, 2021

Welcome @Omyga99

There is some interchangeability of case backs on some Constellations.
Most often seen ‘swap’ is 14381/14393 with 14900/14902 & 167.005/168.005.

however, the 168.004 is a different case style altogether and I don’t recall seeing an .004 on OF with an incorrect case back.

As @gatorcpa says, you’d be better off looking for an orphaned .004 case back (preferably with a gold medallion to go with your gold cap case)

Omyga99 · Jul 13, 2021

Thank You @Peemacgee

Omyga99 · Jul 20, 2021

Peemacgee
Welcome @Omyga99

There is some interchangeability of case backs on some Constellations.
Most often seen ‘swap’ is 14381/14393 with 14900/14902 & 167.005/168.005.

however, the 168.004 is a different case style altogether and I don’t recall seeing an .004 on OF with an incorrect case back.

As @gatorcpa says, you’d be better off looking for an orphaned .004 case back (preferably with a gold medallion to go with your gold cap case)

I just got this caseback in the mail. AND I now don’t know for sure if my 1966 Constellation is what I thought it was!!
168.004 is what I think I have, but the caseback marked 168.004 is too small for my watch.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Peemacgee · Jul 20, 2021

The inside pics aren’t very clear but it looks like your new case back is from an SGR case and your original is from a KB case.
(Different manufacturers)
I don’t know if your new case back is kosher but this may explain why the caseback doesn’t fit.

Omyga99 · Jul 20, 2021

Peemacgee
The inside pics aren’t very clear but it looks like your new case back is from an SGR case and your original is from a KB case.
(Different manufacturers)
I don’t know if your new case back is kosher but this may explain why the caseback doesn’t fit.

Thank You for noticing the different case fact.
Yes SGR is on the new on and KB on the original.
hmm.

sirtaifun · Jul 23, 2021

This is a complete list of swiss case manufacturers:
https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/9ed7c895-744a-4073-9d88-3896f7c2ff5a

It`s for solid gold cases but the list of manufacturer might be of use.

Omega Constellation 168.004 Which Case Backs Fit?

Omyga99

Omyga99

gatorcpa

Omyga99

Peemacgee

Omyga99

Omyga99

Peemacgee

Omyga99

sirtaifun

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