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Re-plating a gold capped Constellation 128.027

R
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I recently got this beauty in the mail. I fell in love with the way it looked, and I plan to wear it for my wedding a few months away. I have taken it to a watch repair shop here locally, and they opened it up and said everything looked good on the 564 movement it has, except I will definitely need to replace the gasket as its almost completely disintegrated. I will also be replacing the crystal with an official omega one if I can find one, or if they can find one.

Since this is a gold capped watch, I understand I can't have it "perfect" again unless I re-plate it and they also offer gold plating services. Would it be a good idea to have it re-plate it?
 
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Dan S
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Gold-capped watches are not plated, there is a thick shell of gold around the top and sides of the stainless case. Plating would not generally not be a good repair for a capped case and I wouldn't recommend it unless the case was totally intolerable. I can't see the damage you are concerned about, can you post a better photo? The only thing I can really see in your photos is the loss of the original finish.
 
Bruce235
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I think this one is plated and not capped. You can see brassing on top left lug . It can be replated, but I would just leave it, not worth the expense.
You should get the movement serviced though.
 
Dan S
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Just show a clear photo from the back in good lighting. If the case is capped, you will see the back of the stainless lugs. If plated/filled, the backs of the lugs will also be golden.

There is so much glare in the OP photos, that it's really hard for me to see what is going on at the ends of the lugs, and I don't want to assume without better photos.
 
R
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Dan S Dan S
Just show a clear photo from the back in good lighting. If the case is capped, you will see the back of the stainless lugs. If plated/filled, the backs of the lugs will also be golden.

There is so much glare in the OP photos, that it's really hard for me to see what is going on at the ends of the lugs, and I don't want to assume without better photos.

Sorry I'm a little bad at taking photos. Is this ok?
 
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Dan S
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That is definitely gold-capped and you can't repair it with plating. The gold cap is hundreds of microns thick, and the gold plating that a jeweler adds will only be 5-10 microns typically. Can you show the damage that you are concerned about more clearly?
 
R
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Dan S Dan S
That is definitely gold-capped and you can't repair it with plating. The gold cap is hundreds of microns thick, and the gold plating that a jeweler adds will only be 5-10 microns typically. Can you show the damage that you are concerned about more clearly?
Thinking more about it, I guess its not really "damage" as much as just getting it polished. Did these watches come with a mirror polish?
 
Dan S
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R Ror362
Thinking more about it, I guess its not really "damage" as much as just getting it polished. Did these watches come with a mirror polish?

I believe that case had a circumferential brushed finish on the front and polished on the side, but other members may know better.
 
kaplan
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I'm sorry but that case grades 10/10 for me

Talking about polishing etc. too - you better quit early on, sell and save the watch too, you're very very misguided in my opinion

I'm pretty unphased by most things but your thread really disturbed me, vintage gold capped watches don't come any more perfect than this one
 
SOG53
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kaplan kaplan
I'm sorry but that case grades 10/10 for me

Talking about polishing etc. too - you better quit early on, sell and save the watch too, you're very very misguided in my opinion

I'm pretty unphased by most things but your thread really disturbed me, vintage gold capped watches don't come any more perfect than this one
+1 I wouldn't touch the case. The crystal looks good as well dont see any scratches. Cant see etched Omega logo in center of crystal can you see it with magnification? If yes another reason not to replace crystal.
 
Canuck
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The fluting on the bezel, surrounding the crystal looks clean and crisp, and to my eye, it shows no signs of wear. IF the gold shell covering the lug at the top left is worn through, the fluting on the bezel would likewise show wear. I suspect the lighting might be responsible for what might appear as wear on that lug. Gold plating (electroplate) is only a short term solution…..unless you don’t wear the watch after plating it. AND you will hate the colour of the electroplated watch!
 
JimInOz
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It's quite a nice example and all it needs is a service of the movement, a clean of the case (ultrasonic, no polish wheel!!!!) and possibly a new Ω crystal.

The gold cap will tarnish slightly so that may be the cause of discolouration, a gentle buff with a good polishing cloth will make it sparkle for your wedding day.

Your watch? Lucky owner!

Getting married? You poor bugger.

(Joking of course).
 
R
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JimInOz JimInOz
It's quite a nice example and all it needs is a service of the movement, a clean of the case (ultrasonic, no polish wheel!!!!) and possibly a new Ω crystal.

The gold cap will tarnish slightly so that may be the cause of discolouration, a gentle buff with a good polishing cloth will make it sparkle for your wedding day.

Your watch? Lucky owner!

Getting married? You poor bugger.

(Joking of course).
Thank you for the recommendation! I took it to my local watch repair shop and they will be doing exactly this, except they recommended I didn't have to service the movement as it looked good and keeps time well. I am on the lookout for a new Ω crystal do you have any recommendations of where to buy one from? They told me the crystal size was 29.55mm
 
Bruce235
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All of us fussy types would recommend strongly that you get it serviced to prevent excess wear of parts; a dried out watch can still keep good time. Your shop is trying to save you money I guess.
If you take it to a watchmaker with an Omega parts account they can get you a signed crystal.
 
R
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Bruce235 Bruce235
All of us fussy types would recommend strongly that you get it serviced to prevent excess wear of parts; a dried out watch can still keep good time. Your shop is trying to save you money I guess.
If you take it to a watchmaker with an Omega parts account they can get you a signed crystal.

Roger! I'll try and get it serviced later on, I want to wear it for some engagement parties first.
 
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