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Omega Constellation 2853: Refinished or Cleaned Dial?

cal. 2853 constellation omega pie pan redial vintage
Inevitabletime
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Hi everyone,
I’m pretty sure this Omega 2853 has been refinished but would appreciate others opinions. Some hour markers seem off. And around the omega logo and stars seem to have a different color than the rest of the dial. Like someone painted around them or glued them back on after refinishing. I’ve also not seen dials where it looks like the dial has vertical brush marks

IMG_6952.webp IMG_6951.webp IMG_6950.webp
 
hugh162
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The bigger problem is the missing “L” in constellation, probably result from a bad cleaning attempt.
 
Inevitabletime
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hugh162 hugh162
The bigger problem is the missing “L” in constellation, probably result from a bad cleaning attempt.
I was so focused on the dial and markers I didn’t even see that 😅. I should really look at the pictures on a larger screen.
 
reggie_v
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Vertical brushing is normal on these models. However it’s more prominent on some than others. A more knowledgable member may be able to shed some light as to why
 
Spruce
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That 'worm of doubt' … the uncertainty gnawing away!

I have to say, whether it is or it isn’t, it’s a lovely watch - pretty as you like and 99.9% of the people who see it will admire it.

If it is, and I’m not qualified to comment, it was top notch work - no sharpie involved.
 
Mattsky
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Yep, a blingy eye-catcher for sure. I see what you mean about the fuzzy areas around the applied logo and star. Like hugh162 says, maybe due to cleaning of the dial? Being picky, those lug edges are more spoon-like than knife-like, if that bothers you.
 
SOG53
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Text looks ok to me including straight M and hour markers which have serif.
Loss of l maybe cleaning attempt?
Not sure about vertical brushing and dial looks quite a bit cleaner than case and hands.
Possible service dial?
Do you have more photos of case, back , and inside?
 
MSNWatch
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hugh162 hugh162
The bigger problem is the missing “L” in constellation, probably result from a bad cleaning attempt.
This. Original dial which had the patina chemically cleaned off with some untoward effects.
 
Inevitabletime
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SOG53 SOG53
Text looks ok to me including straight M and hour markers which have serif.
Loss of l maybe cleaning attempt?
Not sure about vertical brushing and dial looks quite a bit cleaner than case and hands.
Possible service dial?
Do you have more photos of case, back , and inside?
Thank you for your response. I don’t have pictures of the inside.

IMG_6960.webp IMG_6961.webp
 
Inevitabletime
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MSNWatch MSNWatch
This. Original dial which had the patina chemically cleaned off with some untoward effects.
This makes sense. That’s why it looks odd to my eyes. It’s been chemically cleaned to remove patina and the cleaner went around the word Omega, Omega logo, and the star. They probably were too harsh and wiped off the “l” in “Constellation”. I did ask the seller if it’s a redone or refinished dial. He said no. I consider a chemically cleaned dial to be redone. I suppose next time I’ll ask if the dial has ever been touched or altered.

I learned something new. Thank you all.
 
Dan S
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Inevitabletime Inevitabletime
This makes sense. That’s why it looks odd to my eyes. It’s been chemically cleaned to remove patina and the cleaner went around the word Omega, Omega logo, and the star. They probably were too harsh and wiped off the “l” in “Constellation”. I did ask the seller if it’s a redone or refinished dial. He said no. I consider a chemically cleaned dial to be redone. I suppose next time I’ll ask if the dial has ever been touched or altered.

I learned something new. Thank you all.
Sellers don't always know. It's better to rely on your own observations. And redone or not, the damage to the dial makes it less appealing, which is ultimately what is relevant.
 
Inevitabletime
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I responded to the seller that the dial has been chemically cleaned and he proceeded to block me and attempt to remove my comments.

The seller is BolderVintage. Buyers beware.
 
workandturn
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Looks refinished to me, for yourself if you look there's a subtle difference in the A's of automatic. Ones slightly wider than the other, cross bars (the bit that runs horizontally) look to be at slightly different heights. which you don't typical get when printed. But I could be wrong.

There's different levels of refinishing and this one has likely had a touch up along the way, which is a lot more typical than people realise.
 
workandturn
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Ill add Im a graphic designer / typographer so I always to look at the letters of the dial... the letters never lie as its so hard to keep the very fine details but well worth cross referencing with other images of the reference to be sure.
 
padders
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I’m not seeing a redial here. Look at the residual dirt round the star, it’s been cleaned by someone with a Q tip. A redialler would have printed 2 Ls, not removed one.
 
Peemacgee
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Correct original dial, no redialling here.

Vertical graining is correct for solid gold dial.
Dial has been cleaned, hence the residual lacquer around the OMEGA.

It’s a very pretty watch and I would consider getting someone (really skilled) to reinstate the missing L.
 
workandturn
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Im being very picky here and Ive not crossed referenced this so I easily could be wrong

Text looks to be correct weight, printing good, just wondering if its had a touch up along the way which is often very typical

Screenshot 2026-06-11 at 13.29.39.webp Screenshot 2026-06-11 at 13.29.45.webp
 
Peemacgee
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with low res pics all bets about fine details of the font are well and truly off - especially things like missing serifs.
Even with a slight angle of the camera letters can appear compressed and cross hairs can look well off centre when they are perfectly central when a straight on photo is taken.
you wouldn't believe how bad some dials look in photos that are posted on OF, only to be quite correct with better photos.

BTW the 'tall C' is correct for a Constellation - it's one of the quirks of Omega's font on these watches.
(you haven't come across the squashed Os yet - also correct on certain era Constellations.)
 
workandturn
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@Peemacgee - good to know. Huge caveat that if I was doing this properly Id cross reference other listings from know sources (usually sellers I trust) where possible and get better pictures. I also personally think there's a big difference between a full / obvious redial and watches that have had the slightest touch up over time often done by skilled people a long time ago. But I realise thats a highly debatable issue !
 
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