This is my first post as a new member and new collector, i am looking for any advice on this constellation dial damage above the 8 hour marker there is a yellow spot, there is no other even patina just this spot, and beneath the hands is some darker damage in the centre, the dealer told me its 1961 cal 551 the only ref i can find for a stainless is ST 167.005 which would be 1962 i believe. Any advice would be much appreciated, sorry the photo is limited it was taken quick in the shop, many thanks.

 

That’s not a 167.005, the lugs are very different. I think it’s a 14381 case, I think the stain on the dial is damage and I also think the dial has been washed.

 

Newbie question here: what exactly is "washed"? I see that term every now and then, but i asssume its not trowing it in the dishwasher
Querious

 

Many thanks just looked up 14381 cal 551 that is 1959 Lyre shaped lugs but it says gold capped on stainless steel , has the gold cap vanished?
or is it not the correct movement for the case? Could you tell me what a washed dial is ? Many thanks.

 

the photo is not very good so it may be tricking the eye, but it looks to me like the laquer was removed, that’s done sometimes because the biggest damage is superficial so by removing it the dial looks clean.

Keep in mind that this is just one opinion and I’m not very experienced myself, I’m sure others will chime in.

 

The reference number only identifies the shape of the case, not the metal, color, or dial design.

 

Without sounding to naive i looked on the verified list of constellation cal and case numbers the last column gives a case material is that incorrect?

 

Which list?

 

I stand corrected i have found CK 14381 cal 551 1959 in just stainless steel on the list, thanks for added info micampe its a big help. The case back was removed and is a super clean 551 movement no sign of rust or moisture probably as its just been serviced, thanks again.

 

It was the list on the constellation collectors forum.

 

Should be Desmonds list from Omega Constellation Blogspot:

http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec/Fullcalibresdata.V8.pdf

 

Thats the one is it reliable?

 

Serial number of the 551 starts with which numbers?

 

As far as I know Desmond is one of the most experienced Constellation experts around, he is also member here in the forum

 

That list is reliable (the author is a member here @mondodec), but if you notice there are two more letters in front of the reference number, and those are what indicates the metal of the case: CK is for steel, BA is gold, etc. So you have to look at the whole thing, the number without the letters only indicates the shape.

 

On the list the earliest 551 is 1959 but the serial numbers by year list (chuck maddox) listing, shows no 551 for 1959 he does say the list is approx. i can only guess 16xxx was for 1958 and 1959

 

That's great info many thanks, it seems to be correct so far i'm looking again tomorrow, i will check all numbers with this info, should i be concerned with the dial the hands look matted but he wants top end price so i need to bargain this one.

 

So you think of buying this one?

What means top end price, how much is the asking price?

 

£1200.00 says its original box but pretty sure its not, obviously new omega croc strap but NOS buckle, any thoughts on price

 

You have at least two major problems on the dial, I'm not shure about the 11 indice

1200 Pounds would be a quite a high price

If he's giving wrong informations on the box, I would be careful

Do you have other pictures?