Solid gold Connie 14381 with dings and scratches on the back - still a buy?

iamvr · Nov 28, 2020

Hi OF members

I'd like to seek your advice on a solid gold 14381 Connie currently offered on eBay. The auction ends tomorrow.

Starting with the good features in my opinion: Seemingly unpolished or at least the bezel still looks sharp, original dial and hands, original decagonal crown (though the color hue seems somewhat different). Please let me know if I'm totally wrong here.

The negatives: Major dings and scratches on the case back. The interior of the case back shows signs of scratches too, indicating rotor rubbing. So a service is probably overdue.

Price: It's currently running at EUR 805. I'd say anything below EUR 1000 is fair given the condition. I wouldn't mind wearing it as the scratches and dings on the back aren't visible when worn and only I (well and all of you 😀) would know about it. The crucial question is whether I would get anything near that price back if I should decide to eventually resell it.

What is your opinion? Definitely a pass or a depending on the price? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Here are the pictures:

janice&fred · Nov 28, 2020

I think your hopes of under 1000 Euros is a pipe dream. That watch is gonna go for much more and is not in bad shape at all. As a matter of fact it's pretty darn nice!

Zapatta · Nov 28, 2020

Its very optimistic if you think it will end below 1000€.

Caliber561 · Nov 28, 2020

Steel and GF Constellations in this sort of condition tend to go for ~$1,000-1,200 already, so I'd imagine this will end up between $2k and 3k, given that it's a dome dial rather than a pie pan.

nanjingcigaretes · Nov 29, 2020

1k for a solid gold 14381 in that condition, I am highly doubt it.

ConElPueblo · Nov 29, 2020

If it ends lower than 2k it is still a great buy.

Peemacgee · Nov 29, 2020

It is of course a 14382 deluxe with a solid gold dial and oversized onyx markers.

really nice watch, shame about the scratches on the case back but agree with all of the above about the price.

Romega · Nov 29, 2020

One more thing, the details of the observatory/emblem indicates that this watch has not been much used. Great looking watch!

iamvr · Nov 29, 2020

Thanks everyone for your comments and of course the education that always comes along. Knowing that solid gold Connies usually sell beyond EUR 2k, I made a huge fool out of myself assuming such a large discount for the scratches on the back. In hindsight, I wish I had just asked for the fair price. I console myself as a noob that I spot an item that's actually worth looking at given the sheer amount of crap offered out there. So I see myself somewhat on track on the learning curve, but obviously still lots to learn, especially on the appraisal side as it seems 😀

I'll let you know at which price this one ends up. Have a great Sunday!

iamvr · Nov 29, 2020

It finally went for EUR 2166 btw.

Rudi99 · Nov 29, 2020

iamvr
It finally went for EUR 2166 btw.

Hey I reckon many here would argue it was a good price for a 18k Connie.

iamvr
Thanks everyone for your comments and of course the education that always comes along. Have a great Sunday!

We are all learning! Thanks for posting this thread as it serves as education for many people, myself included. 😉

iamvr · Nov 29, 2020

Maybe I was a bit ambiguous. It did go for EUR 2166, but no to me, but to some sniper

Rudi99 · Nov 29, 2020

iamvr
Maybe I was a bit ambiguous. It did go for EUR 2166, but no to me, but to some sniper

Oh it was clear. But I meant I reckon it is a good price nevertheless! 😀

OllieOnTheRocks · Nov 29, 2020

It’s a nice constellation that went for a very reasonable price. I was bidding on a 18k Geneve from the same seller and I lost it by 5€ - €1219!

offrdmania · Nov 29, 2020

Its 18K gold. The gold scrap value may be close to 1000 alone

hejsam · Nov 29, 2020

offrdmania
Its 18K gold. The gold scrap value may be close to 1000 alone

I doubt it´s 30grams of 18k gold in that case!

iamvr · Nov 29, 2020

OllieOnTheRocks
It’s a nice constellation that went for a very reasonable price. I was bidding on a 18k Geneve from the same seller and I lost it by 5€ - €1219!

Wow, damn close. It was my first experience on eBay. I'm more used to a platform, where sniping is not possible because the time is extended if anyone bids within the last minute.

jeppehh · Nov 29, 2020

hejsam
I doubt it´s 30grams of 18k gold in that case!

I think that’s about right for a Deluxe model.

iamvr · Nov 29, 2020

hejsam
I doubt it´s 30grams of 18k gold in that case!

I did not upload a picture with the watch head on a scale. It weighs over 41gr., but of course including all the parts not made of gold.

offrdmania · Nov 29, 2020

hejsam
I doubt it´s 30grams of 18k gold in that case!

A deluxe model is right around 29g +/- for the case, case back, hands, dial and crown which are all gold.

29g of 18K scrap is currently at $1250 today.