Thought I'd share one of my recent finds, perchance after some considerable research into the earlier Constellation line. I stumble on this early 1952 honeycomb dialled constellation with a 352 RG Chronometer in solid 18k rose gold, and early blue steeled hand. I have to say I'm amazed at how nice the overall condition is, the dial is near perfect with two tone cream centre and a silvered outer chapter which really catches light, The case, whilst lightly polished has a strong bevel and crisp almost untouched caseback, amazing for a 60 year old watch. This is one of the earliest connies with a 12 million serial number. I haven't had the gall to snap the back off but have previously seen pictures of a very nice crisply kept movement. Just what we like to see! Unfortunately I will need to polish up the crystal and replace the crown, but I am in no rush, as I think it will take some time to find a rose gold crown. Apologies as scratches have distorted the dial in some pictures. Desmond has featured them in his blog under the stars of the month section: Rare Omega Constellation Cal 352 Blue Steel SC Models I think I can safely say I've been bitten by the Chronometre bug early on and hope that I can cure this terrible ailment sooner rather than later I must take a special mention to the mods for their invaluable expertise in finding out about and understanding these uncommonly beautiful watches (you know who you are) and I only hope in the future we can help each other out, and return the favour in this network of great collectors! With its YG relative:
Where can you go from here, Alex? What a collection, indeed, and the guilloche dial addition is just gorgeous
Oh yeah baby...........RG Connie rocks!!!! Congratz Alex and before anyone call it.........DIBS !!!!!
That case ref is the only constellation that is NOT waterproof. You use a waterproof 10 sided crown for what ?
Original crown is a smaller version of the typical constellation crown (similar in size to the mid 1960s connie crowns but not the same). The crown on Alex's example is definitely a later replacement though it is quite difficult to find the original crowns as AFAIK they were made only for ref. 2648.
And the dial along with the 352 movement is to me a huge attraction of ref. 2648 - there is a staggering number of dial variants used for this case reference especially considering there are not that many of these watches around.
You haven't answered my question Mike, why do you use a waterproof 10 sided crown on a none waterproof case ?
That's the point, Because it did not have to be a waterproof crown, they did not have to change that crown in service and I think that crown is original to the watch.
Thanks guys! It's interesting with regards to the crown, I think Omega rectified the waterproof issue with the 2652 screwback, but I guess that still doesn't explain the crown issue.. I think it will take some time to truly know about these early 2648 crowns!
