Rusty Constellation Ref. 168.005

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masteroftime

·Apr 15, 2021

I came across this Connie for sale and was hoping to get some insight. I've always wanted one of these, but I seem to come across fakes/junkers whenever I find one at a relatively reasonable price. First, does the dial look alright? I keep getting tripped up between all the different text layouts. The font looks right to me and it looks relatively crisp for a case in poor shape.

Second, It has what looks to be rust at different points on the case. Any thoughts about if this will clean off easily? Do you think it seems to be worth the risk? I'm generally willing to take a calculated risk if I can get this reference with a nice dial and a case with the angles intact (assuming the rust doesn't need major intervention), however I have no experience with spots of rust on stainless steel cases....I didn't even realize it was possible.

I apologize in advance if this comes off as stupid -- at the minimum I value the educational opportunity provided by reading your insights.

Thank you for your time and help!

 

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Shabbaz

·Apr 15, 2021

Dial is original. Not sure what you can do with the case.

 

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Sherbie

·Apr 15, 2021

Dial looks ok to me - others will reply later i’m sure

its a tired watch that hopefully could be cleaned up nicely.

I’m not sure its rust - hopefully just general grime - can you ask seller some questions before purchase ( like can these spots be whipped away with a cloth or finger nail? etc)

 

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Davidt

·Apr 15, 2021

Depending on the price I’m not sure there’s a huge amount of risk here.

The dial looks great and that’s just dirt on what looks like a very nice case. A good ultrasonic clean and that case will come up wonderfully.

the only unknown is the movement.

 

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BAJJ

·Apr 15, 2021

I'm not a Connie expert, but I do know rust, I thought it was just grime at first too, but looking at the lower right lug that sure looks like a spek of rust to me,🤔 and if it is, my concern would be what's lurking inside. It's hard to corrode stainless so if it is rust then the watch may have bee exposed to some fairly aggressive elements? Have you got pics of the movement, with the back off?
Crown possibly a service replacement. Dial looks OK, and if the movement pics are OK, it's running, and if the price is right, i.e. hundreds rather than thousands it may be worth a punt, IMHO.

 

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jeppehh

·Apr 15, 2021

Bezel is missing. Those are not that easy to come by.

 

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Sharp

·Apr 15, 2021

jeppehh

Bezel is missing. Those are not that easy to come by.

The bezel is not missing and the case is not rusty, just gunky IMO

As others noted the dial looks clean but also the hands have minimal pitting which is another good tell

Worth a go if the price is right 👍

 

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ConElPueblo

·Apr 15, 2021

Sharp

The bezel is not missing and the case is not rusty, just gunky IMO

As others noted the dial looks clean but also the hands have minimal pitting which is another good tell

Worth a go if the price is right 👍

I'd normally side with the 'it's just gunk' crowd, but this time I'm not certain. It could have been exposed to something corrosive - the stains between case and bezel looks suspect, IMO.

 

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jeppehh

·Apr 15, 2021

Sharp

The bezel is not missing

You are right. Very obvious on the second photo. My apologies.

 

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gbesq

·Apr 15, 2021

Not worth the risk in my opinion. Zoom in on the Omega symbol/logo on the dial, the 12 o’clock marker, and the Constellation star. More discoloration and pitting. I’d be very suspicious about the condition of the movement.

 

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Sharp

·Apr 15, 2021

ConElPueblo

I'd normally side with the 'it's just gunk' crowd, but this time I'm not certain. It could have been exposed to something corrosive - the stains between case and bezel looks suspect, IMO.

You might well be right, I'd like to buy it and find out if the OP does not 😀

 

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malilis

·Apr 15, 2021

If the price was a bargain, I too would be willing to take the risk .. I believe the case will come out nice and clean giving some work of course !
if the movement turns out to be nothing else than a pile of rust ..🙁 we then face a restauration project .. still possible though ..

 

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hoipolloi

·Apr 15, 2021

malilis

If the price was a bargain, I too would be willing to take the risk .. I believe the case will come out nice and clean giving some work of course !
if the movement turns out to be nothing else than a pile of rust ..🙁 we then face a restauration project .. still possible though ..

It is not too bad like that. In the two photos we have, the second hand was in different positions and I believe it is a 564 and running.
The bad thing is the black paint on tops of markers has faded.

 

C

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CLA05

·Apr 15, 2021

Seems odd though that if it was just grime, the seller wouldn’t just give it a wipe 👎

 

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Pahawi

·Apr 15, 2021

hoipolloi

The bad thing is the black paint on tops of markers has faded.

Looks like it on image one, but they look ok on the second image, right?

Think everything under that crystal is much better than most think. Go for it OP - and give us new photos after a service.... 😀

 

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Maskelyne

·Apr 15, 2021

I think that the watch has been stored together with a material that has "transfered" corrosion to the case. Some sort of iron alloy. Further pictures especially of the movement are essential. I also think that the case can be cleaned and gentle polished. Quite exciting and the case looks rather sharp overall.

Here are some enhanced pictures...

 

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cristos71

·Apr 15, 2021

I think gunk and some rust.

At €500-600 I'm a buyer, at €600-800 I'm a maybe and above €800 I'm walking

 

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nicks

·Apr 15, 2021

FWIW I’d also have a go at that one, if the movement was okay and the price was right.

 

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Davidt

·Apr 15, 2021

I still think the case will be fine.

On closer inspection various posters above are correct, there may be some surface corrosion on the lugs where they meet the case but at the right price I’d still take a gamble on this, expecting more often than not I’ll come out on the right side.

 

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MtV

·Apr 16, 2021

@masteroftime no need to reveal the source if you don’t want to, of course, but would you mind sharing what the seller is asking for? Out of curiosity.

I completely agree with the assessments above and the price range @cristos71 gave. Reasonable enough to make it a bargain if it cleans off and still ok if you’ll need a new case and put in some work.