Please help assess a Constellation

Hi all,

I am new to this forum and new to vintage watch purchasing. I would appreciate your help in assessing a piece I am considering.

I am interested in a birth-year Omega Constellation and have been doing a lot of research and learning. But I don't believe I've managed to scratch the surface still. I would like to seek experts' help to assess the quality of this piece.

The basics:
The piece in question is supposed to have been produced in 1972, ref number 168.005. According to the description, it has the original dial, hands, and crystal with the Omega logo. The movement is 564. It also claims the crown may have been replaced and not original to this model.

The case:
It looks sharp to my untrained eyes, all bevels and chamfers are retained The same applies to those lugs. The bezel looks to be present.

The crown:
The listing says the crown may not be original. I saw pictures of older Constellations with decagonal crowns but not sure if that applies to Constellations in the 70's

The case back:
The medallion on the case back looks right to me, but not sure about the level of detail, if it has been (over) polished.
I don't know enough to pick out anything significant on the backside of the case back.

The dial:
It seems to have passed the MOY test, and those indexes seem to have onyx inlays, not being painted on. The date window seems to have the right look/facets. But in the full-frontal picture, something about the text alignment seems a bit off to me. Also, the color, I thought it would be more silvery, than ivory.

The movement:
It seems to have all the screws, case clamps, and rotor clamps. Movement 564 is right for the era, and with the serial number to match. The bridge looks right. I recalled someone on this forum saying the big "O" on the rotor meant it is a replacement part. Is that so? Reason to be concerned?


I did what I could to identify the piece, which led me to believe this is worth considering. At the same time, I am sure I missed a ton. If I can ask experts in this forum to help either build or destroy my case, I will be most grateful.

Thx. The asking price is €2400.

That cal 564 movement no. 34469933 is very late for a 168.005. I would proceed with caution if I were you. If you search the forum there’s lots of info and theories about later 564’s being fitted to dog legged Connies.

As in the case is older than the movement?

If so, is there a way I can tell by the case which year it was produced (approximately?

Yes possibly.
Very rarely do you see movement numbers higher than 28/29 mil for a 168.005.

Unfortunately not.
The dial markers/indices will be either onyx inlaid or black paint. If onyx that’s a big red flag as only the earlier dials (up until around the mid sixties ish) had onyx. Later dials had black paint. This watch looks to be painted but it’s hard to tell. Onyx insets have more depth so an in focus end on shot of a marker would be the way to tell.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/564-movement-with-34-mil-serial.69241/#post-871355
https://omegaforums.net/threads/buying-omega-constellation-pie-pan-cal-564.53492/

Thx for the pointer!

The listing has enough inconsistencies that I think I will skip it and continue my search. While I don't mind having a newer movement, I do want to make sure the case and dial were produced in the right year.

Appreciate your help.

Welcome @klock379

The indices are almost certainly painted - they don’t appear to have the ridge that onyx would have.

These late 564 doglegs were thought to be put together watches, with movements from later watches, (as the old threads above imply) but there have been a number turn up.

it’s a while ago now but I’m sure there was a thread which discussed these watches turning up in the east, right up until Omega produced the 168.0065 ‘special’ dogleg for the Far East market.

Everything about the watch says late production - painted indices, later rotor, lack of perlaging in case back.
As do the other two referenced here, all are CB cases and all with very close running serial numbers.

The watch you posted is quite nice, the case is pretty good and the dial is clean - although the ‘ivory’ colour is a bit unusual.
However, €2,400 is very expensive - not double, as nowadays asking prices appear to be rising, but probably a third - €1,000 too much.

I would also opt for painted hour markers : I too cannot see the ridges of Onyx inserts. This "Ivory" color could be due to the type of light used when taking the picture : I had the same case, and asked for other pictures in daylight, and it was OK.
And I recently found the 34 XXX mostly in the 1011, not so much in the 564
And yes, the prices of SS Dog Leg Pan Pies are rising, but my recent price search would indicate that a pro seller (means making a profit) would more reasonably be around the 2.000€ (serviced watch), and €1500-€1800 for a similar very good quality watch from a private seller.
So if you know the private seller, or his mint reputation, you can go blind, otherwise, you logically pay a premium when buying from a pro, but should normally get the added safety of a return in case of a problem, but that is purely a personal analysis and opinion, based on my last 5 months of searches for an SS Dog Leg Pan Pie.

Thx for all your comments. Walking away from this with a bit more knowledge!