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Seamaster Deville and Constellation

O
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I have been lucky enough to inherit 2 watches and want to try and get some ideas on where to get sympathetic restoration and parts from.
They hold an enormous amount of sentimental value so don' want redials or new crows, even if they are wrong.

The 1st watch is a Constellation. I think its about 1963 but haven't opened it up. It has a 7912 flat link bracelet that needs some work and some new bits too.

Any help on aging and where to get the work done in the north west UK would be a great help.

IMG_5271.jpg IMG_5272.jpg IMG_5273.jpg IMG_5274.jpg IMG_5275.jpg


The second watch is a Seamaster DeVille, I think its from roughly the same period.

IMG_5278.jpg IMG_5279.jpg IMG_5276.jpg


Any help on aging and restoration would be a great help.

Thanks

R
Edited:
 
cristos71
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Nice inheritance. The first one looks like a 14381. It will have a calibre 551 probably with a 17 million serial and will date from around 1960/1
 
Peemacgee
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cristos71 cristos71
Nice inheritance. The first one looks like a 14381. It will have a calibre 551 probably with a 17 million serial and will date from around 1960/1

am I right in thinking the bracelet is 3rd quarter 1963?
So, if it is contemporaneous with the watch, the watch could be a little later.
(but no later than 62/63)
0DF853AE-A781-4031-84DE-C5223E7AB4DA.jpeg
 
PlainVanilla
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Very nice! The Seamaster DeVille is from between late 1962 ans 1967. It will enjoy a service and a bit of cleaning.
 
padders
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
am I right in thinking the bracelet is 3rd quarter 1963?
So, if it is contemporaneous with the watch, the watch could be a little later.
(but no later than 62/63)
0DF853AE-A781-4031-84DE-C5223E7AB4DA.jpeg
Wouldn't we be firmly into dog leg Connie territory by 1963? The 14900/14902 dog leg was already about by '61 so I can't see this being much later unless there was some overlap of the lug styles. I would also guess at it being a '60-'61 model 14381 myself with a later (rather valuable but tired) bracelet. My 14381 is on 17.75m btw. Maybe this one took a couple of years to sell hence the discrepancy.
Edited:
 
Peemacgee
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padders padders
Wouldn't we be firmly into dog leg Connie territory by 1963? The 14900/14902 dog leg was already about by '61 so I can't see this being much later unless there was some overlap of the lug styles. I would also guess at it being a '60-'61 model 14381 myself with a later (rather valuable but tired) bracelet. My 14381 is on 17.75m btw. Maybe this one took a couple of years to sell hence the discrepancy.

I think the 14381/14393 were produced into 61/62 (Omega did like to have a substantial crossover in styles.)
I can’t recall if we’ve seen any production serials later than that.
My two are very late 17,9xx serials, (one is 17,99xx the other 17,96xx) which likely shoves their production date into ‘61.
I agree that it’s very possible the watch wasn’t supplied and sold straight away - and that it may have been paired with the bracelet quite a bit after the watch was produced.
 
O
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I'm guessing the Constellation would be a 63 and sold with the strap as that would have been my fathers 21st birthday.
The strap is in a bit of a state but I think I have now found all the period correct parts to put it back as it should be.
I just need to find a competent and sympathetic watchmaker to take on the work.

The Seamaster has 70 stamped on the end links or stocks, not sure of the correct term. the Constellation only has one endlik with 4 stamped on it, the other is missing.

Both need period correct crowns as they both have none stamped generic replacements so need to source those too.

They both need a good clean and service and the crystals need polishing.

If anyone could recommend anywhere in the North West UK that would be a big help.
 
Lurk41
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Endlinks is the correct word. The engraved number is its model.

The Seamaster De Ville should be a 166.020 with a 1503 bracelet / 70 endlinks. It hosts a 562 caliber, or 565 on later production
If it has a quickset date, then it is a 565: it works by pulling-pushing the crown on this model (link to youtube video)
If no quickset, then it is a 562 (or a 565 on a serious need of service 😁)

Production started in 1962

I cannot advise you regarding service in UK but I am sure others will be able to.

In any case: 2 nice watches 😀
 
padders
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
A nice coincidence, a confusing thread - but at least Omega think they produced 14393s into ‘63.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/ext...ot-fit-to-watch-constellation-pie-pan.132225/
Interesting but I note that is a solid gold deluxe model. It may well be that there was a hang over for the special limited production models like these, whereas the bulk steel and capped production moved over. Just a theory.

ps I also note that Omega show a different metal on that extract to that which the watch is actually made of so there may more one or more errors there of course!

If I were a betting man (and I am a bit) I would put my stake on the OP watch being 1961, with '60 or '62 as each way chances.
 
Peemacgee
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padders padders
Interesting but I note that is a solid gold deluxe model. It may well be that there was a hang over for the special limited production models like these, whereas the bulk steel and capped production moved over. Just a theory.

ps I also note that Omega show a different metal on that extract to that which the watch is actually made of so there may more one or more errors there of course!

If I were a betting man (and I am a bit) I would put my stake on the OP watch being 1961, with '60 or '62 as each way chances.

i don’t disagree 👍
I was only responding to my own comment that I couldn't remember seeing a 63 14381/14393.(presumably the 18k deluxe mentioned in the EOA is a 14394?)

It will be interesting if Omega correct the EOA for the movt serial no. In the 14k watch - and what it comes back as.
But it looks like there may have been some variation produced in May 63.
(Which I didn’t expect to be honest)
All grist to the knowledge mill!
 
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