Renovation of Constellation 168.004

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ITJ

·Apr 23, 2020

Hello, i have an old constellation that I am looking to restore to health. Unfortunately it was butted by a ram when shearing a sheep and the crystal was smashed and since the hands have come off. Anyone know where you could get a new crystal for this model or indeed how to safely extract the mechanism from the case. Any assistance appreciated.

 

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ConElPueblo

·Apr 23, 2020

Is there any reason why your watchmaker won't remove the movement from the case? 😕

 

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ITJ

·Apr 23, 2020

Hi, I have not gone down that route yet. Its a bit of a wreck so was thinking of what i might be able to do with it without destroying it further. Mechanism works fine but the Face probably needs a bit of a clean and the hands need rehanging.! Bit embarassed to send this to a watchmaker as would probably take one look at it and well not sure what they might say

 

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Peemacgee

·Apr 23, 2020

Welcome @ITJ
I think the watchmaker would tell you that your watch has already had a face lift once upon a time in its life and would be a good candidate for another after its mishap with the ram.
if the watch is of sentimental value to you then have the dial cleaned and repainted.
If you’re happy with it the way it is, any decent watchmaker would put your watch back together again.

 

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ITJ

·Apr 23, 2020

Thanks. Btw what are the tell tale signs its had a facelift. Yes it is of sentimental value so prob will get it put back together.

 

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connieseamaster

·Apr 23, 2020

The style and thickness of the fonts and minute track

 

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Peemacgee

·Apr 23, 2020

I ITJ

Thanks. Btw what are the tell tale signs its had a facelift. Yes it is of sentimental value so prob will get it put back together.

Constellations, generally, have a specific kind of font for the text.
I’ve borrowed an image from an old OF sales add and added it and yours below to compare the fonts.

 

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Peemacgee

·Apr 23, 2020

It’s hard to tell if the dial has facets but as the hour hand is short and there are notches on the indices ends for lume, it’s also possible your watch started off looking like this one of @X350 XJR

 

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ITJ

·Apr 23, 2020

Yes it seems to be very similar to this last picture. A lot lot cleaner. The closeups of my watch face are revealing as to it dirtyness. I dont have any reason to think its not genuine per say as it was my grandfathers bought from new. Thank you for your comments.

 

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Peemacgee

·Apr 23, 2020

I ITJ

Yes it seems to be very similar to this last picture. A lot lot cleaner. The closeups of my watch face are revealing as to it dirtyness. I dont have any reason to think its not genuine per say as it was my grandfathers bought from new. Thank you for your comments.

you're welcome,
There’s no doubt it is a genuine Constellation - it’s just that it has had its dial repainted at some point.
This was a common occurrence if there was any dirt or moisture ingress back when these watches were new.
If you let folks know where you (roughly) are you may get some recommendations for a watch maker.
A service and a crystal will cost around £250.
To redo the dial I suspect will cost at least the same again.
But since this is your grandfathers watch it is worth it.

 

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ITJ

·Apr 23, 2020

Based in Sandwich. East Kent