Hi all, I am considering purchasing an Omega Constellation f300 but it seems like there are a lot of variations out there. Some have casebacks with the observatory mark while some are plain casebacks but with Omega details on the flip side. I've also read some sellers switch casings etc... Much appreciated if anyone would be able to help me identify if this is the genuine article: http://www.ebay.com/itm/181137645555?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Thank you!
Yes, its genuine and appears to be correct. The case back is the correct reference for the top and contains the correct movement.
Do keep in mind the cost to maintain an F300 is higher already than a typical automatic like a 500/700 series Omega movement, not only because its more difficult to find watchmakers that service them, but also because the parts supply is dramatically smaller and still shrinking.
Thanks for this tip! I was just about to ask. I have read that they go through batteries really fast and the day/date wheels tend to not function and are hard to come by. But I've also read posts where the owners hardly have any trouble with them so I'm a bit split on whether I should purchase one. As you can probably tell, I'm not experienced in purchasing vintage watches but I am quite appealed by how the timepiece belonged to someone, has some characteristics or history etc. My line of work actually allows me the privilege of handling some pretty amazing timepieces but I still have a soft spot for something from the past. That and I can't afford anything else the industry is churning out!
Here's a real world example of why they aren't worth it to me. Bought one from a guy who found it, in it's original box, in his grandfather's belongings when they were packing them up after his passing. It was a 'Yellow Dot B' with the original crystal - supposedly a fairly sought after and uncommon version. Paid $300 plus shipping. Sent it to an Accutron specialist in the mid west. Got it back 6 weeks later at a cost of over $200. Wore it for a few weeks, didn't like it, and sold it for $500 including shipping. So it cost me about $50 to find out that I'm not interested in them (nor nearly any battery powered watch). In conclusion: - high cost of maintenance - possibility of frequent repair - parts getting harder and harder to source - poor ROI - no fun for me to wear You can see that IMO these are a losing proposition. Could have been worse - it could have been a run of the mill Accutron that was less valuable.
Thank you very much for sharing your experience! In your opinion what would be a great starting Omega? Also what's the reason for Omega being so affordable as a second-hand option compared to a lot of other brands?
Lots of Seamaster De Villes and Genèves around from the 60's. Some are in fantastic condition. However, with a little help from the experienced group here there have been guys who jump right into Speedmasters and Constellations. That's relative. Bulova, Hamilton, Elgin, Waltham, and Eterna are still MUCH cheaper than Omega, yet all made in-house movements. The only vintage brands that are generally more expensive to collect are the high end ones from the Big 3: Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Vacheron Constantin. IWC and Rolex are only a little more expensive now.
Another opinion provided for whatever it's worth . . . I happen to have a soft spot for the f300 watches. As an electrical engineer, the design is fascinating to me. It all boils down to get something to resonate at a fixed frequency and then clock it down to a usable rate for a wristwatch. I've taken the movements completely apart and they are modular, and quite easy to repair if you know what you are doing. I could have designed almost all of it myself - except for the amazing little 300-teeth wheel - I don't know how Omega made it with the technology available back then. You need a microscope to see it clearly. As long as you keep the stem clutch lubricated and don't turn the hands backward, these are very robust and reliable movements. There are fewer parts to wear out compared to say a Cal. 500 series. They are accurate to 10 seconds per month. Yes, parts are getting harder to source and it's hard to find good movements these days. I pull the crown out when I don't use them to retain the battery life. But, it is a little weird about the battery if you adore mechanical movements, I chuckled on reading the post by Dennis because the joke was funny. There are dozens of neat designs to choose from and I like the Seamaster models. Here are a few pics.
Those are very lovely and look so pristine! Thank you for sharing these pictures and your opinion! I wasn't a big fan of Omega until I started to read about the f300s, Megaquartzs' and Megasonics. To me, those really leave an impression on me! Nothing wrong with non-mechanical movements to me, they're an interesting part of history that shouldn't be overlooked. Seems like Urwerk's new EMC movement might incorporate some electronic movements too but of course mechanically powered.
Here's my two. I just love the technology that went into them, even if it wasn't an Original Omega invention. I'm with hockey on these but my collection will probably never go beyond these two (unless I grab some for spares).
Wow ....... very nice almost NOS collection..... With your technical background and interest it is very neat fit for you as a guard of f300. You should consider to become the authority knowledge source and dealer of Omega f300. It is good that actually many nice f300 pieces is very undervalued. If only Omega continue to support critical part of this movement..........
I first attracted to f300 because of ...... the red symbol. It really flashy applied logo, one of the best Omega logo around So I got imperfect case f300 constellation from this forum just for the sake having one in collection. Once it arrived, I am smitten by.........its humming sound. Ticking sound of automatic or manual is nice, but humming sound is very interesting. It is now sit in my collection and I cherish and adore it as much as the automatics, the manuals and the bumper. Definitely above the quartz (which just get better appreciation after Archer explain the difference between high and low quality quartz).