Omega Constellation 2852 Black Arrowhead Dial: Redial?

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Hi. Quick ask! This came up as an opportunity for purchase, but I have never forayed into the realm of Constellations. This is a 2852 with a 501 movement and serial number dates to 1955. Is this a redial? I'm divided whether or not to drive 2 hrs to see it in person to purchase.

 
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blurry pix of the dial, but it looks tired and worn out, same for case and movement.

gotta see better pix of the dial....but fonts appear ok

comes down to price and if you like the appearance in hand
 
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He also sent these pictures. Originality is what I want. Price is good. Effort is high due to the drive.

 
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I think the calibre 501 was a 19 jewel movement, and later upgraded to a 20 jewel movement. The rotor shows lettering for ‘24’ jewels, which would make it a replacement from a calibre 505.

I would also think the spelling of ‘Chronometer’ on the dial would be ‘Chronometre’ for this reference?
 
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It may clean up, or not... some risk there.
It will need a service for sure.
 
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Check this out.
The 501s appear to be "chronometre" and are 19 jewels, maybe this watch has a service rotor and dial?
 
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Definitely looks like a parts watch. For what it's worth, the hands are also incorrect. A 2852 with non-luminous arrowhead markers would not have slots in the dauphine hands for black paint or luminous material. Also, the seconds hand shows a visible raised rivet and stub point, which is also incorrect.
 
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IMO you should keep looking 😀 but I'm not an expert on this.
 
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It was redialed, in my opinion.

For me, the fonts and the minute markers are thicker than usual.
 
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It was redialed, in my opinion.

For me, the fonts and the minute markers are thicker than usual.
I second this. It’s certainly not the worst one we’ve seen but I don’t believe it’s legit.
 
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I second this. It’s certainly not the worst one we’ve seen but I don’t believe it’s legit.
I also initially thought redial. Can you ask for photos of the dial in natural light before you make the drive? If it’s a redial, it’s a good enough one that you may not even know if it’s a redial in hand.
 
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The owner sent a video of the watch. Also not the best quality since it was sent to my phone. But see the lighting off the dial and crystal at the end? Cringe on how he shakes it though. May want to save it just because of his mistreatment of the watch. He also has a 3 day return policy he says...lol.

 
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FWIW, black dialed Connies with "true" pie-pan dials (I.e. 12 sided) and arrowhead markers are rare. If this one is not redone, and price is low enough, that alone might make it worth a gamble.
 
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FWIW, black dialed Connies with "true" pie-pan dials (I.e. 12 sided) and arrowhead markers are rare. If this one is not redone, and price is low enough, that alone might make it worth a gamble.
That's the $1000 question. The seller states that the dial was "cleaned" but never said it was refinished. I asked and he said he didn't know if refinished, but professionals "won't be able to tell". He did give a 3 day return, but it will take me 2 hrs to return it.
 
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In my view, high-quality photographs are more reliable than a video, particularly when assessing the originality of the fonts. 😀
 
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The dial looks matt grey. I've never seen an original black dial age like that before. I'm not convinced at all.
 
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The dial looks matt grey. I've never seen an original black dial age like that before. I'm not convinced at all.
Yes, agreed. And text doesn’t appear to be gilt. Hands have lume slots but no lume on dial. Pretty sure the crown is a fake.