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Received first omega - tips?

N
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I am very pleased to have received my first omega - a constellation pie pan 14k solid gold cal 561 (after searching for a good couple of years and getting a good deal).

Appears to be in good working condition, calendar is working well and watch has only lost 3 seconds in the last 48 hours. The rotor sounds a little creaky but I have no reference point.

It supposedly had a service a few weeks ago although you never know with an eBay purchase. It is worth taking to an expert to check no repairs are required or is it a case of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it".

Any recommendations for people to take it to in the south east of England? I have been in touch with a father-son place in Wrotham called MJ Leach who come recommended by a local jewellers who use them. Imagine they would look at it without charge.

More broadly, any other general tips to maintain the watch/movement etc.? I plan to wear it daily and work in an office.
20241011_095605.webp
Edited:
 
N
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N newbie123
I am very pleased to have received my first omega - a constellation pie pan 14k solid gold cal 561 (after searching for a good couple of years and getting a good deal).

Appears to be in good working condition, calendar is working well and watch has only lost 3 seconds in the last 48 hours. The rotor sounds a little creaky but I have no reference point.

It supposedly had a service a few weeks ago although you never know with an eBay purchase. It is worth taking to an expert to check no repairs are required or is it a case of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it".

Any recommendations for people to take it to in the south east of England? I have been in touch with a father-son place in Wrotham called MJ Leach who come recommended by a local jewellers who use them. Imagine they would look at it without charge.

More broadly, any other general tips to maintain the watch/movement etc.? I plan to wear it daily and work in an office.
20241011_095605.webp

Sorry to bump this but any comments before I get in touch with this local watch guy?
 
Peemacgee
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Congratulations on your new Constellation.

If you can actually hear the rotor above the ticking of the watch then that doesn’t sound right.

The rotor may be rubbing against the case back or movement.

Most here would suggest sending your watch to a watchmaker who specifically deals with vintage Omegas to check over.

If you do take it to your locally recommended watchmaker and it requires servicing then be very specific about what you want.

“Don’t touch the dial and absolutely no polishing of the case”
 
Dan S
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If you have a local watchmaker there are a few things they can check for you by inspecting the watch. For example, they can see how it is running on a timegrapher, and look at some oiling points to see if they are dry, etc. They may be able to tell you immediately that the watch was not actually serviced recently.
 
N
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Thanks both, I was speaking to this guy about the piece before buying it and he definitely knows his Connies. Will pop it in to him soon
 
N
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N newbie123
Thanks both, I was speaking to this guy about the piece before buying it and he definitely knows his Connies. Will pop it in to him soon
Any tips generally about how to maintain the watch in daily life whilst wearing and not wearing it?
 
Dan S
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N newbie123
Any tips generally about how to maintain the watch in daily life whilst wearing and not wearing it?
Avoid water. Don't bang it into doorways.
 
Peemacgee
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N newbie123
Any tips generally about how to maintain the watch in daily life whilst wearing and not wearing it?
don't do the washing up wearing your watch - and even be careful washing your hands
if you get caught in the rain pull your sleeve over the watch
It should be reasonably moisture resistant - but it is a 50+ year old watch - so these are just sensible precautions.

otherwise just wear it and enjoy it.

if you do actually wear it every day, for the day, you won't (shouldn't) have to wind the watch other than the first day you put it on.
The power reserve should easily be sufficient to see you through to the next day (and probably the day after that)

when not wearing it put it somewhere it won't get knocked onto the ground - these watches have shock protection but a drop from a bed side table to a hard floor can do both significant internal, and esp. with a gold watch, external damage.
 
SOG53
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Handwashing is a common cause of water ingress, so I would remove watch before. While we all love vintage crowns, they are often not too water resistant, so I would also remove watch before a workout or other sweaty activities. No reason not to wear it regularly but it requires a bit more care than the average beater.
Enjoy the watch looks like a nice one. Got some photos of movement and inside caseback when watch is opened.
Congrats!
 
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