Rusty Constellation Ref. 168.005

omegawatchlover · Apr 17, 2021

Why don't you message the seller to wipe the gunk off? Who in their right mind would leave cow poop on a watch they're selling? I mean the photos aren't amateur, I assume professional... this seller knows what he's doing. If he really wanted to sell this watch, he wouldn't display it in this way. Just my 2 cents. Also, onyx inserts> black paint. No hate. Don't overpay if you do get it. Don't forget that crown isn't original, and original thin decagonal ones can be hard to source. Expect to pay more than $100 for that alone.

masteroftime · Apr 17, 2021

First off, I really appreciate all the insights and comments! My apologies for taking so long to give you an update as I was running into some tech issues over the past two days.

@Maskelyne Thank you so much for tweaking the photos and the insight about the "transferred" corrosion.

The seller is upfront about the rust. Like many of you I was initially hoping that it was just grime, but it definitely seems to be a combination. Unfortunately, the seller is in a different country and the listing is in a different language, so getting more info likely won't be possible before the end of the auction. I may be mistaken, but I think the issues with the dial are purely caused by scratches/smudges on the crystal

@cristos71 I'm definitely inclined to take a gamble if it sells at or below €800 considering the condition of the dial and the fact that it seems to be operating.

@MtV Its actually being sold in an online auction format, so there is not telling where it will go and if somebody goes crazy. At the moment, it is at about $750. I'll report back tomorrow when it ends.

masteroftime · Apr 17, 2021

omegawatchlover
Why don't you message the seller to wipe the gunk off? Who in their right mind would leave cow poop on a watch they're selling? I mean the photos aren't amateur, I assume professional... this seller knows what he's doing. If he really wanted to sell this watch, he wouldn't display it in this way. Just my 2 cents. Also, onyx inserts> black paint. No hate. Don't overpay if you do get it. Don't forget that crown isn't original, and original thin decagonal ones can be hard to source. Expect to pay more than $100 for that alone.

You'd be surprised....I've bought a lot of watches listed as such by professional sellers. Also, what do you mean by onyx>black paint? Are they Onyx in this case?

Luckily, I snagged two decagonal crowns on ebay and I'm waiting for the right connie.

Watch8Me2 · Apr 17, 2021

^^^ hour markers are supposed to have black onyx inserts.

First of all, disclaimer: I am new to this forum and new to vintage Omegas. That said, the condition of the watch and the way the rust is forming makes me believe the watch was stored in a metal box that had standing water. The rust is principally forming at the crevices. Someone have commented that seller should have cleaned the watch before putting up for auction. The problem is that he did. The seller cleaned and polished by hand the best he could, and the residual rust you see is highly likely coming from corrosion of the case. If you look closely at the bracelet, it too has rust between the links and in the crevices. The stainless steel that Omega used for the case, bezel and lugs is probably a standard grade and therefore likely contains chromium and carbon which means if you take care of it, it will not rust, but if you abuse it and expose it to certain conditions for example, high humidity or high chlorides, think salt water, then it will rust.

Without getting more feedback from the seller with regard to the rust on the case, i.e. can he confirm there is no pitting and the what you see on the pictures is just stain, then I personally would don't believe this watch is worth the risk.

Have you looked at Omega Enthusiast https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/product-page/1952-omega-seamaster-automatic-8

That Seamaster looks like a Connie and it's $2,250 with fresh service and ready to wear. Of course, he's got some Connies too for a bit more.

Best of luck

ConElPueblo · Apr 18, 2021

W Watch8Me2
^^^ hour markers are supposed to have black onyx inserts.

...

Have you looked at Omega Enthusiast https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/product-page/1952-omega-seamaster-automatic-8

That Seamaster looks like a Connie and it's $2,250 with fresh service and ready to wear. Of course, he's got some Connies too for a bit more.

Best of luck

$2,250 is about twice the price a similar model might fetch in open auction - Omega Enthusiast may cater for enthusiasts, but not really collctors or anyone reasonably clued up.

The later Constellations had black paint instead on onyx inlay which tends to fade away, which seems to be the case here 😀

Watch8Me2 · Apr 18, 2021

ConElPueblo, thanks for the info on the hour markers. What date or cal did Omega start using paint instead of onyx?

Also, would you please post a couple of watch deals like you mentioned? And, how much would one expect to pay for a cal 551 full tear-down, inspect, lube, and assembly?

masteroftime · Apr 18, 2021

W Watch8Me2
Also, would you please post a couple of watch deals like you mentioned? And, how much would one expect to pay for a cal 551 full tear-down, inspect, lube, and assembly?

While @ConElPueblo may or may not be inclined to do that, part of the savings involve you having to do a lot of your own research and background work. I doubt anybody here is going to do that searching for you, because it can be relatively time intensive. I would check out the "Learn How To Fish" thread that he wrote and then spend some time checking ebay. When you find something that you think is good, then come back and post about it and members can give you their feedback. -----Just my recommendation

Otherwise, thanks for linking that seamaster. I actually have one that I bought and built from eBay parts. Paid $150 for a broken watch and then spent a few hundred on a replacement dial and a spare parts movement. With a service, I'm probably into it around $600. I personally wouldn't pay that much for a standard Seamaster bumper unless there was something special about it. That being said, I prefer the 55x and related movements.

Cost of servicing them is highly reliant on where you are and who you have around you. You could maybe get a local service anywhere in the $100-300. Factory level service will usually be $500+. Typically plus parts.

masteroftime · Apr 18, 2021

UPDATE! Thank you all again for your insight. The auction ended with the watch going for $1,340 and this doesn't include international shipping and customs cost, which would probably add on another $100 to the US. I'm not really convinced that $1,440 would have been worth it for a watch with a concerning case rust issue, but I could be wrong. I guess the hunt continues...

I would, however, love to get some more insight on how much this one would have been worth if it didn't have the rust issue. Prices seem to be all over the place and I'm set on finding something with a nice case (not necessarily perfect, but relatively intact) and a dial with minimal to no issues. Thanks again!

Shabbaz · Apr 18, 2021

W Watch8Me2
Also, would you please post a couple of watch deals like you mentioned?

Why would he? Maybe it's best to do your own research. He's right that the watch you mention is completely overpriced. If you would be a longtime member, you would know. Sorry to be a bit harsh.

ConElPueblo · Apr 18, 2021

W Watch8Me2
ConElPueblo, thanks for the info on the hour markers. What date or cal did Omega start using paint instead of onyx?

Also, would you please post a couple of watch deals like you mentioned? And, how much would one expect to pay for a cal 551 full tear-down, inspect, lube, and assembly?

I am not certain of the date nor cal, but a 561 ought to have onyx, 564 (I believe) have both. It's been a while since I doggedly persued Constellations, but the last 561 Constellation I got was about €1400. A gold capped 2577 like the one in the link I would think could be had for considerably less. I see Omegaenthusiast as a good place to go for those who doesn't want to spend a lot of time to seek out the great deals on a good watch, but prefer to spend a lot of money instead.

Whenever I see a deal that looks good to me, but isn't something I am looking for, I try to post it in the Recommended Watches thread, so that's a good place to keep an eye on 😀

Sherbie · Apr 18, 2021

According to an Omega Enthusiasts Instgram post i saw recently, apparently Omega used Onyx, rubber and black paint on the markers

Peemacgee · Apr 18, 2021

Sherbie
According to an Omega Enthusiasts Instgram post i saw recently, apparently Omega used Onyx, rubber and black paint on the markers

it would indeed be a revelation if it were proven that Omega used rubber inserts in their top of the range watches.
to my knowledge, this is the first time this has ever been suggested.
The first and third examples look like pie pan dials and the second looks like it might be a deluxe dial with ‘fat’ flat onyx inserts.
I’d very much like to see what evidence Omega-enthusiast has to back up their statement.

Caliber561 · Apr 18, 2021

Peemacgee
it would indeed be a revelation if it were proven that Omega used rubber inserts in their top of the range watches.
to my knowledge, this is the first time this has ever been suggested.
The first and third examples look like pie pan dials and the second looks like it might be a deluxe dial with ‘fat’ flat onyx inserts.
I’d very much like to see what evidence Omega-enthusiast has to back up their statement.

I believe he said in the comments somewhere that the insert material would bend elastically when he took it out of the index.

Personally, I suspect it may be a type of ebonite, like used on the feeds of vintage fountain pens. The matte surface texture and fact that they haven't turned into goo seem to suggest that.

kingsrider · Apr 18, 2021

Damn! I'm late to the party on this one. IMO that watch would clean up nicely. That is just wrist cheese and crackers on the case. The dial looked good and the second is moving. All is not lost.

Sherbie · Apr 19, 2021

Peemacgee
it would indeed be a revelation if it were proven that Omega used rubber inserts in their top of the range watches.
to my knowledge, this is the first time this has ever been suggested.
The first and third examples look like pie pan dials and the second looks like it might be a deluxe dial with ‘fat’ flat onyx inserts.
I’d very much like to see what evidence Omega-enthusiast has to back up their statement.

I think O-E was referring to all Omega models, not just Connies wrt rubber ( and indeed @Caliber561 a type of ebonite is a good call)

but the photos used do indeed look like Connies

Rusty Constellation Ref. 168.005

omegawatchlover

masteroftime

masteroftime

Watch8Me2

ConElPueblo

Watch8Me2

masteroftime

masteroftime

Shabbaz

ConElPueblo

Sherbie

Peemacgee

Caliber561

kingsrider

Sherbie

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