Omega Constellation 1953

tjdwhite · Jul 5, 2022

Hello all,

I'm sure I'll give it away in my post, but I'm new here 😀

As the title suggest I'm in the market for a 1953 Constellation and I'd like to please ask your advice ... . Firstly where would you recommend looking? https://www.chrono24.com/ is where I've been looking so far. I am not adverse to Ebay but rightly or wrongly it makes me more nervous.

I have been doing some research, both here and the excellent http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/ having seen that recommended in other posts. For me original papers and box are only a nice-to-have, unless you tell me otherwise, but originality of the watch and condition is important. For condition where I've got to is fundamentally not machine polished, the metal not worn (e.g. medallion still sharp), not too much patina.

It's probably famous last words on this forum, but I don't think this is going to turn in to a watch collection. I have a daily wearer 1978 steel Rolex, so the purpose of another watch is something different and probably more dressy. I'm leaning toward an 18kt gold case, leather strap, light coloured pie-pan dial (white/ivory/champagne), arrowhead markers. Does this exists for model 2699 / 2700? I'm open to 1952 or 1954 - is it a consideration that the 2799 is dustproof?

Preamble done, there are a few watches I've saved in chrono24 and I was hoping for help getting my eye in!
Omega Constellation Automatic, Chronometer, Officially Certified. Ref. 2782/2799 18kt SC
Is this a redial? To my newbie eyes the case looked good but the Omega logo is applied and the second t in "Constellation" is not fully crossed.

tjdwhite · Jul 5, 2022

This is a steel case obviously, but it keeps catching my eye. I like the dial a lot. This dial in the previous case is close to what I'm looking for. Has the bezel been polished? The lugs look a little rounded to me.
Omega Constellation Model Ref.2652-6 SC 1953

tjdwhite · Jul 5, 2022

I stand ready to be corrected, but this looked like a nice example to me. It's not quite the dial or the case material I was looking for but it's pretty close ...
Omega Constellation Pie Pan 2652 SC in 18kt PINK GOLD

Thanks in advance, I'm in no rush to make the purchase, so hopefully something good comes of this and more pics and discussion in the future.

All the best,

Tom

Dan S · Jul 5, 2022

Welcome to OF, you are taking a great approach to purchasing with your careful research. I'm just curious whether you have had the opportunity to handle a vintage Constellation in-person and try it on your wrist, or if you are basing your choice on internet photos. I often find that watches can be quite different in real life, and it would be great for you to be sure in advance that it's the right watch for you, especially since you are seeing this as a one-and-done purchase.

tjdwhite · Jul 5, 2022

Dan S
Welcome to OF, you are taking a great approach to purchasing with your careful research. I'm just curious whether you have had the opportunity to handle a vintage Constellation in-person and try it on your wrist, or if you are basing your choice on internet photos. I often find that watches can be quite different in real life, and it would be great for you to be sure in advance that it's the right watch for you, especially since you are seeing this as a one-and-done purchase.

That is a great point, I hadn't thought it specifically but you're right I will definitely do that. I have reasonable confidence the size and shape is what I'm looking for, but there's nothing like having it in your hand!

TexOmega · Jul 5, 2022

And.....if you are wanting a Pie Pan, these are not.

tjdwhite · Jul 5, 2022

TexOmega
And.....if you are wanting a Pie Pan, these are not.

Heh. I told you I'd give it away! Makes sense that it's just the 12 sided dials that should be called 'pie-pan'. I like the two-tone dials with raised centre ...

TexOmega · Jul 5, 2022

tjdwhite
Heh. I told you I'd give it away! Makes sense that it's just the 12 sided dials that should be called 'pie-pan'. I like the two-tone dials with raised centre ...

Yeah.......po-TA-to... pa-tata

Enjoy the research and the journey.

Welcome

iamvr · Jul 5, 2022

Hi Tom

Welcome and nice intro. Great research so far. I wish my first post was that thorough.

My opinion on the three watches (take it with a pinch of salt, as I‘m also still learning):
1) Strong case with sharpe bevel on the bezel and lugs looking quite solid. The dial looks original to me. I like it.
2) overpolished.
3) Pink gold is a plus in my book. Case appears softer than with watch 1), particularly the lugs. Upper right lug appears a bit bent outwards. I‘m not a big fan of patina, but it seems fairly even in this case. Overall not entirely convincing unless offered cheaply, which I doubt is the case on C24.

tjdwhite · Jul 6, 2022

iamvr
Hi Tom

Welcome and nice intro. Great research so far. I wish my first post was that thorough.

My opinion on the three watches (take it with a pinch of salt, as I‘m also still learning):
1) Strong case with sharpe bevel on the bezel and lugs looking quite solid. The dial looks original to me. I like it.
2) overpolished.
3) Pink gold is a plus in my book. Case appears softer than with watch 1), particularly the lugs. Upper right lug appears a bit bent outwards. I‘m not a big fan of patina, but it seems fairly even in this case. Overall not entirely convincing unless offered cheaply, which I doubt is the case on C24.

Hello @iamvr thanks for taking the time to reply, your feedback is really appreciated! You are right, all of these watches and C24 in general seem overly expensive. Most seem over polished and a lot look to be re-dials without it being mentioned by the professional dealer advertising them. Go figure 😀 It seems the best place to look is the private sales forum here. Probably looking for a specific year is going to make it slower but it's important for me to get a 52 or 53 in particular.
1) I've seen other 1954 constellations (e.g. on the show me your vintage Constellation thread on the forum) with the same dial being praised as good examples, so every chance you're right it is original. It's very helpful for me at this point of the journey to have firm rules, so sticking to MOY and 1952/53 not having an applied Omega logo and having crossed ts works for me!
2) thanks, this must have happened before it reached the dealer as they write "cleaned, carefully inspected and very lightly hand-polished" 😀
3) I'm coming round to pink gold ... agree with you on the lugs - the top don't look completely aligned.
I've been working my way through https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-constellations-show-and-tell.19186/ and there are examples of the kind of thing I'm looking far on page 1, and the most exciting thing ... still another 80 pages to go 😁

gatorcpa · Jul 6, 2022

If you are really looking for a 1954 Constellation and you are located in the US, you are looking for something that never existed here.

Here is a page from a 1955 Norman Morris Omega catalog.

Page from the Omega Collectors Constellation Blog.

Norman Morris was the US importer for Omega. For all intents and purposes, they were Omega in the US at that time.

What you might be looking for is a Globemaster. This is a Constellation without the name on the dial, identical in all other respects, including movement calibers and case reference numbers.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

johnireland · Jul 6, 2022

First impression...my favorite is the third, the second comes in second, and the first one comes in third. All based on personal aesthetics and not a detailed, under the loupe inspection. Other important considerations...seller's references and history, service history or papers on the watch, warranty and return policy of the seller. Like you, box and all the original documents are of secondary interest for me. There is a wonderful little tool for winding these old Constellations because the winding crown is (in my experience) very hard to grasp. And it seems enough of an issue that someone made a little tool for it. I'm a gold fan and find the extra cost to be worth it. Pink gold on these Omegas is very appealing to me.

ALEJANDRO BOVONE · Jul 6, 2022

if you want to start probably the steel version is the best choice, pricewise. so you start handling and learning

gatorcpa · Jul 6, 2022

ALEJANDRO BOVONE
if you want to start probably the steel version is the best choice, pricewise. so you start handling and learning

Actually, the gold-capped versions sell for less than the steel ones. Probably because the steel can take a little more polishing before losing their edges.
gatorcpa

tjdwhite · Jul 6, 2022

gatorcpa
If you are really looking for a 1954 Constellation and you are located in the US, you are looking for something that never existed here.

Here is a page from a 1955 Norman Morris Omega catalog.

Page from the Omega Collectors Constellation Blog.

Norman Morris was the US importer for Omega. For all intents and purposes, they were Omega in the US at that time.

What you might be looking for is a Globemaster. This is a Constellation without the name on the dial, identical in all other respects, including movement calibers and case reference numbers.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

Thanks @gatorcpa I'm living in Switzerland at the moment, although usually the UK. There's a nice 1953 Globemaster on CR24 I looked at, probably sounds stupid, but I do quite want the script "Constellation" on the dial. What's the thoughts on engravings like this one? There's something charming about it but I'm guessing it's not sought after unless it's something like Frank Sinatra 😀
I like the watch you posted, very nice. Is that yours?

tjdwhite · Jul 6, 2022

Missed out the pic with the engraving!

tjdwhite · Jul 6, 2022

johnireland
First impression...my favorite is the third, the second comes in second, and the first one comes in third. All based on personal aesthetics and not a detailed, under the loupe inspection. Other important considerations...seller's references and history, service history or papers on the watch, warranty and return policy of the seller. Like you, box and all the original documents are of secondary interest for me. There is a wonderful little tool for winding these old Constellations because the winding crown is (in my experience) very hard to grasp. And it seems enough of an issue that someone made a little tool for it. I'm a gold fan and find the extra cost to be worth it. Pink gold on these Omegas is very appealing to me.

How's this tickle your fancy? The pink gold against the steel case does it for me. [N.B. this beauty is from the show and tell thread, not CR24!]

gatorcpa · Jul 6, 2022

tjdwhite
Thanks @gatorcpa I'm living in Switzerland at the moment, although usually the UK. There's a nice 1953 Globemaster on CR24 I looked at, probably sounds stupid, but I do quite want the script "Constellation" on the dial.

Understandable. I didn’t know where you were located, but it seemed to me you wanted historical accuracy.

tjdwhite
What's the thoughts on engravings like this one? There's something charming about it but I'm guessing it's not sought after unless it's something like Frank Sinatra 😀

That’s not so bad. Professionally done. But yes, some people do not like engravings at all. I’m not one of them. It’s your personal preference.

tjdwhite
I like the watch you posted, very nice. Is that yours?

Yes it is. Much nicer in person, but I don’t have any better pictures.

Take care,
gatorcpa

johnireland · Jul 7, 2022

tjdwhite
How's this tickle your fancy? The pink gold against the steel case does it for me. [N.B. this beauty is from the show and tell thread, not CR24!]

Stunning. Omega as a work of art that you can wear.

johnireland · Jul 7, 2022

tjdwhite
Missed out the pic with the engraving!

Engravings like that never bother me...it is part of the watch's history. And its a great way to ID the watch if that ever became necessary.

Omega Constellation 1953

tjdwhite

tjdwhite

tjdwhite

Dan S

tjdwhite

TexOmega

tjdwhite

TexOmega

iamvr

tjdwhite

gatorcpa

johnireland

ALEJANDRO BOVONE

gatorcpa

tjdwhite

tjdwhite

tjdwhite

gatorcpa

johnireland

johnireland

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