Opinion on Constellation 168.017

jcl4real · Jul 1, 2021

Hello OF,

Thinking about pulling the trigger on a Constellation “C” on good ole eBay. I am a novice to vintage Omega so if there are red flags on the watch, please point them out. My main concern on the watch is whether the dial is repainted. Referenced several photos and the M and R in Chronometer, and the Fs in Officially seem off. Also, the case seems over polished and the hands look oxidized or replaced? If anyone has dealt with the eBay seller, would love to hear your experience as well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-19...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Spruce · Jul 1, 2021

I don’t know what you’re being asked to pay but this one, offered in the OF Watch Sales thread looks a better bet to me.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-constellation-168-017-c-shape-serviced-eur-700.132540/

Spruce · Jul 1, 2021

Just checked on eBay. I’d definitely prefer the OF one, although I am not keen on patina damage, as some are

ConElPueblo · Jul 1, 2021

That dial would be unacceptable to me.

DanT · Jul 1, 2021

To me, the dial script looks OK - hands appear to match the hour markers, correct crown I think, case looks in reasonable condition and nice to have to brick bracelet - but the pock marked dial explains the price I think. It doesn't look like a redial - but are you going to be happy with a dial in that condition? If so, then fine - but for a bit more these are not difficult to find (as mentioned, they pop up quite often on OF sales) and you can find a better condition dial that doesn't look like a minefield

Passover · Jul 1, 2021

The Timegrapher results look very bad so first thing you would have to do is a service for $200

Watch is in Japan so you would have to pay VAT when importing it

IMO the case is in excellent condition with original brushing also on on the bezel

The combination of a very good case with the patinated dial looks very well but that is a question of personal taste

Fallout Boy · Jul 1, 2021

The thin line between "damage" and "patina" 😉
If the dial is original, I would vote for patina and the dial "tells a story".

jcl4real · Jul 1, 2021

Thanks for all the input. The patina is intriguing to me and with the cost of a service, price is on par with the one available on OF.

gatorcpa · Jul 1, 2021

I love a nice patina as much as the next guy, but that’s too far gone for me.

Pock marks on the dial like that mean that all the seals on the watch failed at one point, letting a lot of water (or vapor) in. It is possible that the movement was serviced and the affected parts cleaned or replaced, but there is no way to know that.

This watch looks like trouble to me.
gatorcpa

Chi_spur · Jul 1, 2021

The eBay example has an excellent looking case condition but as others have mentioned, that dial looks like trouble and to me it’s not attractive.

The dial on the OF example is far cleaner and a fresh service is a serious plus. It’s harder to really compare the case condition when there aren’t any photos at an angle to show how sharp the polished chamfers on the side of the OF example’s case are. If they’re anything like the eBay example then (for me) there’s no comparison

arkman · Jul 1, 2021

Fallout Boy
The thin line between "damage" and "patina" 😉".

And to my eyes, the ebay watch has gone way over that line!

Fallout Boy · Jul 2, 2021

OK 😉, but AFAIK Omega had sometimes problems with the quality of the lac (and the pretreatment?). That tells one story. If it was caused by moisture, I would be ambivalent.But I am a natural born vintage-patina-fanboy 😁.

(sorry for my humble english)

Opinion on Constellation 168.017

jcl4real

Spruce

Spruce

ConElPueblo

DanT

Passover

Fallout Boy

jcl4real

gatorcpa

Chi_spur

arkman

Fallout Boy

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