Sourcing Omega Constellation 167.005 in the UK

[lawler]

I am trying to find a model like the picture below in the UK in good condition and have been on the lookout for some time now.

Are these rarer than hen's teeth and what would a fair price be to pay?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[lawler]

I saw this one for sale for £3,000 but it seems significantly inflated:

https://watchesoflancashire.com/product/1963-omega-constellation-pie-pan-167-005/

Keen to hear any thoughts on this.

 

[Peemacgee]

Hello @lawler

pics are always preferred to links if you want feed back.

Yes, no date constellations are less common as fewer were made.

This watch looks all original apart from a service rotor.

I’m a little surprised a 1963 watch has such a hard edged / stepped pie pan - they’re usually much softer until a little later in the decade.

The watch is quite nice but unfortunately has been prepped for sale so the case is softer than it should be.
It’s not too badly polished and would still look good on the wrist but they have removed the sharp facet edges which make these watches a delight.
Which is somewhat quite ironic since the seller makes a big thing about the case facets in their sales blurb.

As it is, in a private sale I’d say this is a £1200 watch - max.
Retail maybe £1500-£1750

Note I don’t think they claim it’s been serviced. ( so add another £2-300)

Pics for the swarm.

 

[Noddyman]

lawler

I saw this one for sale for £3,000 but it seems significantly inflated:

https://watchesoflancashire.com/product/1963-omega-constellation-pie-pan-167-005/

Keen to hear any thoughts on this.

You should be able to find a really nice example for roughly half that amount. Are you fixed on a 167.005 or would you consider a 168.005 (date)? I only ask as there are lots more 168’s about. However they do seem to be getting harder to find these days. When I bought mine about nine years ago there was a lot more to choose from. If you’re happy taking the easy route and spending £2 -£3k you shouldn’t have a problem finding one. If you can wait then patience is the name of the game.

 

[lawler]

Thank you for the detailed feedback.

I think this is one to avoid then, especially at this price point.

I will keep on with the hunt!

 

[lawler]

I am also primarily interested in a 167.005 (without date) rather than a 168.005 (with date), although, if the right one pops up I would go for either.

 

[gatorcpa]

Peemacgee

I’m a little surprised a 1963 watch has such a hard edged / stepped pie pan - they’re usually much softer until a little later in the decade.

Here's mine, from 1964. Very heavy pie-folds.
gatorcpa

 

[lawler]

Does the model offered by WOL suffer from heavy over polishing then from the pictures?

 

[Peemacgee]

lawler

Does the model offered by WOL suffer from heavy over polishing then from the pictures?

Peemacgee

The watch is quite nice but unfortunately has been prepped for sale so the case is softer than it should be.
It’s not too badly polished and would still look good on the wrist but they have removed the sharp facet edges which make these watches a delight.

 

[Noddyman]

lawler

Does the model offered by WOL suffer from heavy over polishing then from the pictures?

It’s not heavily polished but definitely polished. I’ve had dealings with WOL and the owner told me all watches are polished and serviced as part of the prepping process.

 

[lawler]

Are there any good pictures examples of a crisp, unpolished example available?

I wonder if it may look better in person and the pictures just aren't doing it justice.

 

[Peemacgee]

lawler

Are there any good pictures examples of a crisp, unpolished example available?

I wonder if it may look better in person and the pictures just aren't doing it justice.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/show-me-your-167-005-or-168-005-connie.124329/

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ppp-pie-pan-porn.48012/

Try these threads

 

[Dan S]

lawler

I wonder if it may look better in person and the pictures just aren't doing it justice.

There is no question that the case is polished and not terribly sharp. With experience, it's possible to see the clear signs in the photos, and I think you can trust @Peemacgee's expert opinion.

However, it may be perfectly acceptable to you, so you should go see the watch in person. Maybe you will fall in love with it and willingly pay the asking price. When you are asking collectors, we already have a lot of watches so we're willing to be patient for great examples and/or good prices. But you may not be as patient and you may not care as much about paying more if it's going to be a one-off purchase.

 

[gatorcpa]

lawler

Are there any good pictures examples of a crisp, unpolished example available?

Other angles on my watch can be seen here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/show-me-your-167-005-or-168-005-connie.124329/page-3#post-1683785

The steel and solid gold versions should be very sharp. Gold capped versions may be slightly softer due to the nature of the gold capping process.
gatorcpa

 

[cristos71]

lawler

I saw this one for sale for £3,000 but it seems significantly inflated:

https://watchesoflancashire.com/product/1963-omega-constellation-pie-pan-167-005/

Keen to hear any thoughts on this.

This seller onlty sells overpriced watches

 

[lawler]

I will swerve this one then and remain patient.

Thank you all for your sage advice.

 

[Bruce235]

lawler

I am also primarily interested in a 167.005 (without date) rather than a 168.005 (with date), although, if the right one pops up I would go for either.

Don't forget the 14900

 

[lawler]

Bruce235

Don't forget the 14900

Indeed!

 

[kkt]

These are not rarer than hen's teeth. I found one after keeping an eye on the for sale ads here after a year and a half or two years. It wasn't any £3000 either, though that was a few years ago. Could probably have found something sooner by searching watchrecon.com, ebay, and reddit as well. But you do have to be especially careful. Good luck with your search!

 

[lawler]

kkt

These are not rarer than hen's teeth. I found one after keeping an eye on the for sale ads here after a year and a half or two years. It wasn't any £3000 either, though that was a few years ago. Could probably have found something sooner by searching watchrecon.com, ebay, and reddit as well. But you do have to be especially careful. Good luck with your search!

Thanks for the advice - I’ll check those places out as well.