Omega Constellation 'C' case - rare or franken?

seamonster · Jan 6, 2012

U ulackfocus
Wow, if that's an aftermarket caseback they did a petty good job. The serial number even dates it to 1966 as a 168.009 would have been. Besides the caseback, and a slightly smaller diameter crown than original, this watch looks authentic to me. Did somebody actually buy it for $2900? If so they grossly overpaid! I can't see paying over $2200 for that watch, and more like $1800-ish..... and that's only if it did have the correct caseback.

ulackfocus

Thanks for coming back to us.

It is not easy, buying an item over the net, unless one is very knowledgeable about his subject matter.

I have seen several pieces of the Constellation with a 'C' case in stainless-steel, gold-capping and 18k solid yellow or pink gold. Strangely, this one is in yellow and white gold. I agree with you, if the case-back is not original, the price paid is ridiculously high. As for the winding-crown, if it is not the original one, it can be easily replaced. However, the same cannot be said, about its back-cover.

seamonster · Jan 6, 2012

dsio
Similar constellations have sold for over 6k here in australia at vintage specialist dealers. Half the trouble with some of these old omegas, particularly the gold ones is there isn't enough for price comparison, so people just jump on them assuming gold means money.

It's not like how we know what different years of speedmaster go for due to the volume sold.

I'm actually hoping this forum acts to provide some price ceilings and floors on pieces like this.

dsio

Thanks for coming back.

I think most of the Constellations get top prices, when they come with the original 18k solid gold bracelet. While those without a bracelet, the over 6k price is hard to imagine. Maybe, the vintage specialist might have sold a NOS with factory-stickers all over the watch and also, it comes with all the original papers plus the original box, the watch came with.

dsio · Jan 6, 2012

seamonster
dsio

Thanks for coming back.

I think most of the Constellations get top prices, when they come with the original 18k solid gold bracelet. While those without a bracelet, the over 6k price is hard to imagine. Maybe, the vintage specialist might have sold a NOS with factory-stickers all over the watch and also, it comes with all the original papers plus the original box, the watch came with.

Same shop was selling a stainless steel 1680 red sub (not meters first, just a later one) for $24k.

(No box and papers, watch only)

seamonster · Jan 6, 2012

dsio
Same shop was selling a stainless steel 1680 red sub (not meters first, just a later one) for $24k.

(No box and papers, watch only)

dsio

Thanks for the info.

I think some people have too much money and do not know what to do with it OR very likely, the 1680 red sub that went for $24k, is the only Submariner, produced in platinum by Rolex of Geneva.

dsio · Jan 6, 2012

seamonster
dsio

Thanks for the info.

I think some people have too much money and do not know what to do with it OR very likely, the 1680 red sub that went for $24k, is the only Submariner, produced in platinum by Rolex of Geneva.

No, this isn't "going rate" or "street price" what happens is its a bricks and mortar store selling new watches all the way to vintage and antique pieces. Someone comes in looking for a Submariner but a bit more special, and they get "up-sold" the red for a stupid price. There's no online comparison made or anything, and more often than not it ends up being a corporate gift or something paid for by a company.

Its like the 18k Planet Oceans, the price tag right now at the Brisbane Omega boutique is $57,000. Reality is the street price is far less but someone not shopping around could be foolish enough to pay sticker price.

ulackfocus · Jan 6, 2012

dsio
I'm actually hoping this forum acts to provide some price ceilings and floors on pieces like this.

Can't tell you much about Speedmasters myself but plenty of other vintage Omega collectors can. I can tell you I paid $4500 total for my Constellation 168.009 with the 368.810 bracelet, and that was figuring on $3000 worth of gold in the bracelet alone. Granted, I got a good deal from where I bought it because I sent them a few referrals and advised them on a few other vintage items. Still, $5500 is about the selling price on that watch. Figure $3500 for the bracelet ($500-ish over scrap) and $2000 for the head only when in combination with the bracelet. Separate from the bracelet it's pretty much just like any other 168.017 but with a small premium for the gold dial.

mondodec · Jan 6, 2012

Thanks Dennis, I got mixed up with the pics. A white bezel and dial furniture but with a gold tone crystal ring looks a fairly naff combination to me. It could be a factory concoction I guess and that may explain the case number. Certainly the dial furniture on a gold dial is usually jetline in yellow gold/black and it would be difficult to tamper with. It could be a factory replacement case back as I suggested, but I think I will go for custom-made or dealer order for some idiosyncratic customer.

Personally, I wouldn't opt to have this in any collection of mine and so the seller's hype left me cold, and I don't believe the white/yellow combination calls for a premium. Perhaps the reverse 😀

Cheers

Desmond.

seamonster · Jan 6, 2012

dsio
No, this isn't "going rate" or "street price" what happens is its a bricks and mortar store selling new watches all the way to vintage and antique pieces. Someone comes in looking for a Submariner but a bit more special, and they get "up-sold" the red for a stupid price. There's no online comparison made or anything, and more often than not it ends up being a corporate gift or something paid for by a company.

Its like the 18k Planet Oceans, the price tag right now at the Brisbane Omega boutique is $57,000. Reality is the street price is far less but someone not shopping around could be foolish enough to pay sticker price.

dsio

Thank you.

Not a bad business to get into, especially dealing with loaded customers.

seamonster · Jan 6, 2012

mondodec
Thanks Dennis, I got mixed up with the pics. A white bezel and dial furniture but with a gold tone crystal ring looks a fairly naff combination to me. It could be a factory concoction I guess and that may explain the case number. Certainly the dial furniture on a gold dial is usually jetline in yellow gold/black and it would be difficult to tamper with. It could be a factory replacement case back as I suggested, but I think I will go for custom-made or dealer order for some idiosyncratic customer.

Personally, I wouldn't opt to have this in any collection of mine and so the seller's hype left me cold, and I don't believe the white/yellow combination calls for a premium. Perhaps the reverse 😀

Cheers

Desmond.

mondodec

Even though to Dennis, still I say thank you for the opinion, imparted.

Could it be a special order for weird customers?

seamonster · Apr 16, 2012

Trev

Respectable Member Trev

I thank you for uploading/downloading (I do not know which is the correct one to use, up or down!) those pictures. Based on these pictures, is there a chance, you or some other forum members would be able to let me know, whether the dial is factory-original or it has been refinished or reconditioned.

Recently, a friend of mine checked with Omega Boutique Sydney and apparently model reference 168008 is found on their database.

Thank-you.

gatorcpa · Apr 16, 2012

I checked the Jules Borel case parts database and Ref. 168.(0)008 is there as well. Cross reference to caliber 561 or 564. My thought is that the case is correct. I can't vouch for the dial or hands.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

seamonster · Apr 17, 2012

gatorcpa
I checked the Jules Borel case parts database and Ref. 168.(0)008 is there as well. Cross reference to caliber 561 or 564. My thought is that the case is correct. I can't vouch for the dial or hands.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

Respectable Member gatorcpa

Thanks for confirming the reference 168.008, shows.

Please overlook, the dial and hands are original to the watch or not. Kindly let me know whether the dial has been refinished or reconditioned.

Thank you.

gatorcpa · Apr 17, 2012

seamonster
Respectable Member gatorcpa

Thanks for confirming the reference 168.008, shows.

Please overlook, the dial and hands are original to the watch or not. Kindly let me know whether the dial has been refinished or reconditioned.

Thank you.

Sorry Seamonster -

I just don't know enough about this model to give you either a positive or negative response on the dial.

gatorcpa

blackwatch · Oct 17, 2014

U ulackfocus
Can't tell you much about Speedmasters myself but plenty of other vintage Omega collectors can. I can tell you I paid $4500 total for my Constellation 168.009 with the 368.810 bracelet, and that was figuring on $3000 worth of gold in the bracelet alone. Granted, I got a good deal from where I bought it because I sent them a few referrals and advised them on a few other vintage items. Still, $5500 is about the selling price on that watch. Figure $3500 for the bracelet ($500-ish over scrap) and $2000 for the head only when in combination with the bracelet. Separate from the bracelet it's pretty much just like any other 168.017 but with a small premium for the gold dial.

Hi Dennis,

I'm just browsing through the old stuff I'd never read before and saw this post. Do you still have this 168.009 and/or can you point me to the pics?

(Some days, "old" means a week ago, my memory is that bad.)

pitpro · Oct 17, 2014

Seamonster, where you been?

cicindela · Oct 17, 2014

pitpro
Seamonster, where you been?

Seamonster was last seen June 10th, hoping all is well with him.

ulackfocus · Oct 17, 2014

blackwatch
Do you still have this 168.009 and/or can you point me to the pics?

The Magpie (screen name sumarian I think, real name Chandra) owns it now, but here's a couple shots:

Privateday7 · Oct 17, 2014

Last I hear Seamonster was ill. Hope you get well soon pak Anwar.

sumerian · Oct 17, 2014

cicindela
Seamonster was last seen June 10th, hoping all is well with him.

Privateday7
Last I hear Seamonster was ill. Hope you get well soon pak Anwar.

Hope fully he will recover soon... I really miss his posts.

sumerian · Oct 17, 2014

U ulackfocus
The Magpie (screen name sumarian I think, real name Chandra) owns it now, but here's a couple shots:

Wow that watch looks really amazing 😉 🥰

Omega Constellation 'C' case - rare or franken?

seamonster

seamonster

dsio

seamonster

dsio

ulackfocus

mondodec

seamonster

seamonster

seamonster

gatorcpa

seamonster

gatorcpa

blackwatch

pitpro

cicindela

ulackfocus

Privateday7

sumerian

sumerian

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