First time poster, but I've been lurking around for a bit picking up lots of knowledge from all of you experts! Thank you!

I've decided to venture into the minefield of craigslist and Kijiji trying to find steals. Recently, I came across this vintage C case Constellation.







I don't know too much about Constellations - have been focusing on the simpler Seamasters. The asking price for this is around $500 USD. At first, I saw "Constellation" and "$500" and I thought "isn't that really good?" I have since discovered that these particular models don't go for much as the pie-pans. I think the case ref is 168.0017. At first, I thought it was missing the bezel, but I don't think that's the case anymore.

These low quality pics are all I have. The seller told me that he's had it for 9 years, never serviced, and that he got it from a collector. No chance of getting movement/caseback pics. From my observations though, the case is is decent condition and the dial looks to be in great shape. My question to all of you is - how much would you pay for a "gamble" like this? Low quality pics, lack of reference/movement info/pics, and no service history. Also, any potential info about the particular watch you can get from the photos would be appreciated too. I think $500 is too much. I think for me, $300 would be my max for something like this.

Thanks for looking and thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

...And for another $100 you can get a nicer dial...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Good-OMEGA...m=253646053835&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

I'm not sure the dial is nicer, but that's because I have a personal bias to those C-cases with linen dials like the OP has shown.

..... and I've owned at least one of each case reference (168.017, 168.019, 168.027, and 168.029) with mixed dial examples of flat paint, sunburst finish, and linen textured dials.

 

I would try to bargain with the seller, even if the pictures aren't better than those supplied. But then again I am a miser and a gambler. $400 would make me feel good.

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Some additional (still bad) pics below.

After a closer look, there appears to be a dial-issue on the 11:00 marker - a little black spot, but can't make out what it is exactly.

I am drawn to this mainly by the dial - I too love these linen/guilloche dials! Still on the fence about making an offer though...leaning towards passing on this one.