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Omega Constellation, dial enquiry

DorsetOmega
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Hi, I've been sent a picture of a Constellation. It's black, so I work from the presumption of a redial. I've been comparing the lettering to the beautiful one that @nanjingcigarettes just posted in the sales section. In 'Automatic', I wondered if the lines on the 'U' went a bit too high, and whether the second 'A' was unusually feint and spaced a bit too far from the 'M' which precedes it. I'd very much welcome your advice on it.
It's a cal 551, 14381.
Thank you very much.
 
s-l1600 (8).jpg
ConElPueblo
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I would say that the dial checks out, but the moisture damage it has (most likely) suffered has made the text look fuzzy and incoherent and more or less ruined the dial.

I wouldn't pay any sort of premium for a black dial in this condition, but would treat it as a similarly damaged silver dial.
 
DorsetOmega
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
I would say that the dial checks out, but the moisture damage it has (most likely) suffered has made the text look fuzzy and incoherent and more or less ruined the dial.

I wouldn't pay any sort of premium for a black dial in this condition, but would treat it as a similarly damaged silver dial.
Thank you, much appreciated. That makes perfect sense because the crystal has a crack in it and it has probably let moisture in.
 
DorsetOmega
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
I would say that the dial checks out, but the moisture damage it has (most likely) suffered has made the text look fuzzy and incoherent and more or less ruined the dial.

I wouldn't pay any sort of premium for a black dial in this condition, but would treat it as a similarly damaged silver dial.
I have a pretty decent watchmaker. Do you think that if there hasn't been serious moisture incursion, he could 'dry out' the watch, fit a new crystal, and I'd be OK?
 
ConElPueblo
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DorsetOmega DorsetOmega
I have a pretty decent watchmaker. Do you think that if there hasn't been serious moisture incursion, he could 'dry out' the watch, fit a new crystal, and I'd be OK?

No-one can tell before the movement has been looked at closely. Even then, hard to find parts may need changing.

Look, the overwhelming part of the value of a watch like this lies in the cosmetics and the dial is the most important part. To me, this would have to be priced as a parts watch to make any sense to pursue and that is IF the movement is in good condition.
 
MtV
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FWIW, this is the movement picture provided by the seller. Even though the lighting is bad, this doesn’t look healthy.

0ACB8FE5-0A46-4AD0-AD9B-20213D5ADC1E.jpeg
 
DorsetOmega
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Ohhhh. I didn’t post that because I thought the poor quality pic would annoy people too much (I obtained an extra and rather better one of the dial).
Can you see any signs of moisture damage? My first observation was that the stem seemed to end as soon as it went through the case but surely that’s the lighting?
 
Engee
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DorsetOmega DorsetOmega
Ohhhh. I didn’t post that because I thought the poor quality pic would annoy people too much (I obtained an extra and rather better one of the dial).
Can you see any signs of moisture damage? My first observation was that the stem seemed to end as soon as it went through the case but surely that’s the lighting?
The rotor extends to the edge of the case, that's why it looks like the stem is short - it's under the rotor. I'm no expert but that movement doesn't look very happy. The scratches around the serial number are worrying.
 
DorsetOmega
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Engee Engee
The rotor extends to the edge of the case, that's why it looks like the stem is short - it's under the rotor. I'm no expert but that movement doesn't look very happy. The scratches around the serial number are worrying.
Thank you. I wonder if the scratches were the product of a botched service or whether they accumulated over time.
 
watchyouwant
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if the writing on the dial is not white on this reference, be careful. you have only 4 hours left to make up your mind..... Good luck !
 
Engee
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DorsetOmega DorsetOmega
Thank you. I wonder if the scratches were the product of a botched service or whether they accumulated over time.
Again, others will know better than me but my first assumption is that the scratches are rotor rub as a result of the rotor being slightly misaligned. The watch may have been knocked or dropped at some point perhaps.
 
watchyouwant
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Engee Engee
The rotor extends to the edge of the case, that's why it looks like the stem is short - it's under the rotor. I'm no expert but that movement doesn't look very happy. The scratches around the serial number are worrying.

I don`t expect them to be scratches. looks like the plate finish to me.... movement is ok, i guess.
 
Archer
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DorsetOmega DorsetOmega
I have a pretty decent watchmaker. Do you think that if there hasn't been serious moisture incursion, he could 'dry out' the watch, fit a new crystal, and I'd be OK?

No, it will need a full service, and if there has been moisture I suspect parts will be need replacing. Even without the moisture, it would be unusual to get one of these in for servicing that didn't need something replaced, at least in my experience.

I've seen much worse though...

0ACB8FE5-0A46-4AD0-AD9B-20213D5ADC1E.jpg
 
MtV
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DorsetOmega DorsetOmega
I have a pretty decent watchmaker. Do you think that if there hasn't been serious moisture incursion, he could 'dry out' the watch, fit a new crystal, and I'd be OK?

And if you win it and, worst comes to worst, the movement can’t be saved, feel free to drop me a message. I have a spare 551 that I don’t (yet) have use for.
 
DorsetOmega
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MtV MtV
And if you win it and, worst comes to worst, the movement can’t be saved, feel free to drop me a message. I have a spare 551 that I don’t (yet) have use for.
Thank you, I’ll definitely do that! Hugely appreciate your advice.
 
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