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Strong auction result for Constellation

Davidt
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
All things being equal, I would say that an excellent dog leg Constellation is more sellable. However, certain attractive dial styles only exist with lyre lug references, making comparisons difficult. If you were to compare auction results for ref. 14900 and 14381, I am convinced that 14900 would prove to be the more expensive of the two.

Really? I admit I don’t really follow the market for dog leg Constellations as I’m not a huge fan of that case type, much preferring lyre lugs, but I still think that overall lyre is valued significantly higher than dog leg.
However, your point around dial types being only available with lyre lugs is certainly valid (and is one of the reasons I prefer that case type).

So I guess you may be right in that once adjusted for popular arrowhead dials etc, a direct comparison between later lyre lug Connies and early dog legs with the same dial type would result in a closer call.
 
Peemacgee
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It could be argued that the pie pan, genta-designed, dogleg is the iconic Constellation - in particular amongst folks coming new to Constellations - and is touted widely by sellers as such.
Therefore, it has gained a reputation as being the most popular reference - and if you took a straw poll the numbers might actually reflect this.

However, being nominally the most popular doesn’t always translate into being the most valuable.

Once you delve into Connies ( and have bought your dogleg!) you soon find out how many wonderful different options there are.

Dogleg refers to one case style, whereas, lyre-lug covers numerous references, the 2852 probably being the prettiest version, with the most stylish dial options - especially the arrowhead indices. ( which don’t really suit a dogleg)

Really good arrowhead 2852s are much fewer and far between than good doglegs and so will command a higher price because collectors will want them and will pay to have them.
 
Peemacgee
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Davidt Davidt
Really? I admit I don’t really follow the market for dog leg Constellations as I’m not a huge fan of that case type, much preferring lyre lugs, but I still think that overall lyre is valued significantly higher than dog leg.
However, your point around dial types being only available with lyre lugs is certainly valid (and is one of the reasons I prefer that case type).

So I guess you may be right in that once adjusted for popular arrowhead dials etc, a direct comparison between later lyre lug Connies and early dog legs with the same dial type would result in a closer call.

I think @ConElPueblo is right about the 14381/14393-v- doglegs.
The 14381 is often portrayed as the poor relation to 2852 ( not in my book).
Although the 14381 has definitely seen a rise in prices realised recently, I would still expect a pie pan dogleg to outstrip a pie pan 14381 every time ( condition being equal) mainly because of the nominal popularity I mentioned above.
 
Davidt
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
I think @ConElPueblo is right about the 14381/14393-v- doglegs.
The 14381 is often portrayed as the poor relation to 2852 ( not in my book).
Although the 14381 has definitely seen a rise in prices realised recently, I would still expect a pie pan dogleg to outstrip a pie pan 14381 every time ( condition being equal) mainly because of the nominal popularity I mentioned above.

Im not that active in the Connie market (although I have a casual eye out for another rail track dial and/or an arrowhead dial), but from my seat on the sidelines I think your last two posts pretty much sum it up.
 
MtV
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Engee Engee
Oh yes, I hadn't considered that this dial may not come in a version with dog-leg lugs.

It does, actually - but not often. There are transitional pieces, 14900s with dogleg case (obviously), pie pan dial, arrowhead indices. They do fetch a premium, though, and are rather uncommon.

ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
All things being equal, I would say that an excellent dog leg Constellation is more sellable. However, certain attractive dial styles only exist with lyre lug references, making comparisons difficult. If you were to compare auction results for ref. 14900 and 14381, I am convinced that 14900 would prove to be the more expensive of the two.

100% agree regarding the 14900 v 14381, as @Peemacgee said. I think when we're comparing dogleg vs. lyre lug prices we need to differentiate between the decades for the latter. 50s Constellations have seen a significant increase in prices. The 60s lyre lugs examples (I know, I know, they started in 59 😁) are definitely trailing behind, judging from what I observed.
 
iamvr
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
in particular amongst folks coming new to Constellations
Peemacgee Peemacgee
Once you delve into Connies ( and have bought your dogleg!) you soon find out how many wonderful different options there are.

Mirrors my own journey to be honest. And you can also tell from some recent new joiners' craze for dog legs 😁.
 
norb1967
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iamvr iamvr
Mirrors my own journey to be honest. And you can also tell from some recent new joiners' craze for dog legs 😁.
Hahaha, am I one of these recent new joiners? I have to say, I am a huge fan of the design, wonderful mid 20th century industrial(ish) with a lovely geometric balance.
 
iamvr
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norb1967 norb1967
Hahaha, am I one of these recent new joiners? I have to say, I am a huge fan of the design, wonderful mid 20th century industrial(ish) with a lovely geometric balance.

I was indeed thinking of you 😁. But I'm with you. I could actually copy your WTB thread 1:1 as I'm still looking for a 14900/167.005 with a silver dial to pair with my black 14900. But I got side-tracked by arrow head Connies of the 50s 😁 (and Speedmasters, but that's another chapter).
 
Peemacgee
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iamvr iamvr
Mirrors my own journey to be honest. And you can also tell from some recent new joiners' craze for dog legs 😁.
norb1967 norb1967
Hahaha, am I one of these recent new joiners? I have to say, I am a huge fan of the design, wonderful mid 20th century industrial(ish) with a lovely geometric balance.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with liking dogleg Connies.
There is a reason why they are so popular, they’re great watches and I wouldn’t be without mine.

I suppose the point I was trying to make is that for some they are a gateway drug as far as Constellations are concerned and once ‘in’ collectors also turn to other styles of Constellation.
(As is borne out by @iamvr ’s post above)
 
norb1967
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iamvr iamvr
I was indeed thinking of you 😁. But I'm with you. I could actually copy your WTB thread 1:1 as I'm still looking for a 14900/167.005 with a silver dial to pair with my black 14900. But I got side-tracked by arrow head Connies of the 50s 😁 (and Speedmasters, but that's another chapter).
Hahah well please don’t poach mine, let me have it first lol
 
Dan S
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norb1967 norb1967
Hahah well please don’t poach mine, let me have it first lol

You must be thinking of a different sport. 😁
 
iamvr
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norb1967 norb1967
please don’t poach mine

If I see one with your name on it, I promise I won’t touch it 😜.
 
gbesq
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In my experience, the lugs on dog leg Connies are often polished and it doesn’t take much to lose the facets on those lugs. When unpolished, the angular design of the lugs is really beautiful and meshes so well with a pie pan dial. When the lugs are soft, not so much. So perhaps that is part of the reason that an unpolished dog leg example can command a significant premium. Personally, I find the dog leg and lyre lug styles equally attractive.
Edited:
 
Citizaniac
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I also don't understand the price: Scratches everywhere, dial damaged, rust on case and caseback, wrong bracelet.
Ah, and the arrow at 11 is somehow twisted.
Not a bad watch, but never 3k+...
My guess is that more and more gamblers are trying to invest in vintage watches.
 
cristos71
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I love that other members show such interest in the dog-leg Connie's, especially if it means that the lyre lug refs don't get bid too high up.

Personally I only go after the 4 number ref's with an exception made for the lyre lug 14381 and 14393's.....anything after that I class as too modern 😁
 
MtV
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Round 2 is over, sold for 2200$ this time. Sounds about right.
 
la_lusigne
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I don’t think this connie has sold. I was following it since the beginning and the seller seems shady.
It ended at 2200 bucks but it now displays 1yen. This usually entails the seller has cancelled the sale.
 
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