Suggestions for restoring a late 60s Constellation

[elessar]

My dad was given a gold Omega by my mom's dad as a gift when they were married, back in 1970. He wore it every day for decades, but never serviced it. Around 10 years ago it stopped working so he had someone try to fix it. I think originally it may have been an Omega-certified shop, and they sent it away but it kept breaking after that, so he ended up taking it someplace else and then (sigh) had the guy replace the internals with a battery-powered quartz watch. I know... I know... None of this was my call!

So now even that has stopped working and the watch has been sitting in a drawer for at least a couple of years. He's now just wearing my old Seiko, on the somewhat-original gold band from his watch. It was a gold weave-style band that wore through, back in the 90s and he had a jeweler melt it down and remake it into more of a smooth gold strap... kind of hard to describe and I don't have a pic, but that at least is still holding up! I believe it has the original Omega buckle on it.

In any case, my question is, what (if anything!) is my best chance of restoring this back to a real functioning automatic Omega? Sadly a lot of the markings have worn off, I'm guessing from the service malpractice and hackery, but the best I can tell is that it's a late 60s Constellation, possibly 168.015. Oh and the crown is also completely gone...

There's a fancy mall nearby that has an Omega store. Do I take it to them and see what they suggest? Besides the part where I fork over eleventy billion dollars? 😀 Do I scour eBay for a similar late-60s Constellation, pray that it's still functioning well, and attempt to have the internals transplanted into my dad's watch? I know the face is all messed up, but I want to keep as much of the original as possible, for obvious sentimental reasons. I've seen a couple of eBay listings for stainless steel 168.015's (assuming I'm reading what's left of the markings on the back of my dad's watch correctly), with the date but not the day, for around $1k. Maybe one of those could work? Assuming the movement is still working, of course, and not kaput like the one we already have LOL.

So... suggestions? Omega dealer? eBay? Give the whole thing up as a bad idea and just get a smartwatch?? :-p Be gentle please!

 

[Dan S]

A movement transplant is the way to go. When you have the reference number of the watch, you can determine the caliber of the movement.

Before doing anything else, maybe you can take the watch to a good independent watchmaker and get his thoughts on the parts you will need. For example, you obviously need a crown and hands. At some point, if enough parts are needed beyond the movement, it will make more sense to buy an entire parts watch instead of just a movement and parts piecemeal. You will need the watchmaker anyway, because before installing the new movement, he will need to do any repair/service that is required. You can check, but I suspect that you won't be able to transplant the dial and hands from a stainless example, because they will probably have the wrong color metal markers and hands.

I think that $1k is on the high side for a stainless version of this watch, which is not a particularly desirable reference. And you don't need one with a good dial.

 

[rendo]

Another option is to get him a similar vintage watch that is in good condition, unless you think he would prefer restoring the old watch instead. As Dan said, you can get a donor movement and other parts to make this one work, but you will end up spending a lot of money and still have to use the case that's not in good shape.

We get similar requests occasionally, but most people consider similar restorations after their dad passes away. Your situation is different (thankfully), but it really depends.

 

[bsowers34]

Omega will do it, it would be sent to Switzerland and take forever, but it's a thought. Your Omega dealer can handle it for you. My 1987 Constallation day/date quartz cost around $1000 and took 4 months.

Edited: Today at 7:42am

 

[elessar]

Thank you all for the quick replies! I did consider getting my dad another similar vintage Omega, but this is really all about the sentimental value.

I think I will start by taking it to Omega and see what they say. Hopefully they can give me at least an approximate quote on how much it would cost to send it away to be restored.

I guess if I don't like what they say I can look for a reputable watchmaker, to try that approach. I don't suppose any of you have any recommendations for watchmakers in the Philadelphia, PA area? 🙂

 

[Dan S]

Your local Omega AD will not have anything to do with this. They will send it to the restoration department at Omega in Switzerland. Any estimate or information the AD gives you should be taken with a grain of salt.

Based on previous reports you would expect to pay several thousand dollars, and that will include a repainted dial. I would also go into it expecting it to take roughly a year.

 

[Davidt]

I wouldn’t have that watch anywhere near Omega. They’ll charge an absolute fortune and will likely insist on refinishing the dial so the character and sentimentality will be lost.

Have a watchmaker open the caseback and get the reference number. You can also try this yourself with a caseback opening ball for a few quid. These are low risk as they won’t scratch it but if it’s seized in place there’s a good chance it won’t work. Saying that, I reckon I manage to open 4 out of 5 casebacks with a friction ball and most of the watches I buy haven’t been opened in decades.

You can then either have your watchmaker source the required parts but I’d be tempted to spend a few weeks looking on eBay for a donor watch watch with the correct hands, crown and movement and then get a watchmaker to use that for the resto. There’s still the chance some movement parts will be needed as most donors aren’t perfect but that’s the way I’d go.

 

[Dan S]

Davidt

I wouldn’t have that watch anywhere near Omega. They’ll charge an absolute fortune and will likely insist on refinishing the dial so the character and sentimentality will be lost.

Have a watchmaker open the caseback and get the reference number. You can also try this yourself with a caseback opening ball for a few quid. These are low risk as they won’t scratch it but if it’s seized in place there’s a good chance it won’t work. Saying that, I reckon I manage to open 4 out of 5 casebacks with a friction ball and most of the watches I buy haven’t been opened in decades.

You can then either have your watchmaker source the required parts but I’d be tempted to spend a few weeks looking on eBay for a donor watch watch with the correct hands, crown and movement and then get a watchmaker to use that for the resto. There’s still the chance some movement parts will be needed as most donors aren’t perfect but that’s the way I’d go.

I think this is a monocoque case.

 

[Larry S]

This will sound harsh but. Your dad did not care, why do you? This is trashed. Lots of similar watches on the market.

 

[Davidt]

Dan S

I think this is a monocoque case.

Good shout. I hadn’t noticed that.

In that case I’d send it to a decent watchmaker to find the reference unless you can deduce it confidently from Google.

 

[elessar]

Hmm ok, a few more votes against taking it to Omega. I mean, in theory it can't hurt to ask, right? But I hear you guys about the local dealer's estimate probably not being worth very much. I also assumed it would be expensive and slow to take that route. Would it really take a whole year though?

I guess I should start looking up Yelp reviews for watchmakers near me, since I really don't know any. Whereas I do know where the Omega dealer is. 😁 But yeah let me do some research on watchmakers.

 

[elessar]

Larry S

This will sound harsh but. Your dad did not care, why do you? This is trashed. Lots of similar watches on the market.

I know... The thing is, he sort of cares, or he used to at least. Like I said, he wore this watch every day, since before I was born. And then for a few years he did keep trying to fix it. He's just never been willing to pay to service it properly. It's definitely me that thinks it's worth restoring now, but I'm pretty sure he would be happy if I did.

If I take it to a watchmaker and they tell me it's beyond salvaging, or that it would cost significantly more to do that than to find another 1968-ish gold Constellation in working order, I may still consider that option. I just want to try first.

 

[sheepdoll]

As someone who works/collects the worst rusted basket cases I think no watch is past restoring.

The important thing is you have a case back and bezel. Even a bit of a dial. That to me is one of the grails. So many of my movements are without a case. This makes even the bottom feeder cases overpriced. (unless they fit a NH35 movement.)

I noticed in the last few weeks I have some competition in the parts job lots for 55x junk. Someone keeps outbidding me at the auction end. So there are others who target such things.

Not sure sending it to omega would accomplish much. What ever you get back would be worth only a fraction of the scrap value.

 

[Larry S]

E elessar

I know... The thing is, he sort of cares, or he used to at least. Like I said, he wore this watch every day, since before I was born. And then for a few years he did keep trying to fix it. He's just never been willing to pay to service it properly. It's definitely me that thinks it's worth restoring now, but I'm pretty sure he would be happy if I did.

If I take it to a watchmaker and they tell me it's beyond salvaging, or that it would cost significantly more to do that than to find another 1968-ish gold Constellation in working order, I may still consider that option. I just want to try first.

Prepare for sticker shock or an outright “no” … This is not a rare or valuable watch and the juice ain't worth the squeeze. If it means so much to you find a way to make it a desk ornament.

 

[Peemacgee]

Welcome @elessar

You have the right reference in 168.015
The movt required will be a cal 564.
I've a sneaking suspicion that you have a deluxe version - i.e. with a gold case and a gold dial.

The dial could be repainted - and in this case that is what I would go with.
However, the case is in such bad condition that it will need refinishing too - but there is so much damage, both front and back, that how successful that would be is anyone's guess.

The reality is that with; a replacement movt and service, a refinished dial and a refinished case, a new crown, new hands and a new crystal, the cost will be significant and you could probably find a replacement deluxe 168.015 for about the same price - and it would almost certainly look better. (there is no saving that observatory)

Omega might accept the task of bringing your watch back to life but it will be even more expensive and will take forever.

I think we understand the sentimental aspect of the watch to you but sometimes you just have to accept that a dog has had its day and there is no point in chucking good money after bad. (especially if you don't actually know if your father would want you to spend thousands on his old watch)

a quick delve into Chronograph24 brings up this deluxe 168.015 for $3000 (and their prices are always way over the top)
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/om...4923736.htm?searchHash=6a2474bd_DYkCED&pos=11

 

[Dan S]

Peemacgee

Welcome @elessar

You have the right reference in 168.015
The movt required will be a cal 564.
I've a sneaking suspicion that you have a deluxe version - i.e. with a gold case and a gold dial.

The dial could be repainted - and in this case that is what I would go with.
However, the case is in such bad condition that it will need refinishing too - but there is so much damage, both front and back, that how successful that would be is anyone's guess.

The reality is that with; a replacement movt and service, a refinished dial and a refinished case, a new crown, new hands and a new crystal, the cost will be significant and you could probably find a replacement deluxe 168.015 for about the same price - and it would almost certainly look better. (there is no saving that observatory)

Omega might accept the task of bringing your watch back to life but it will be even more expensive and will take forever.

I think we understand the sentimental aspect of the watch to you but sometimes you just have to accept that a dog has had its day and there is no point in chucking good money after bad. (especially if you don't actually know if your father would want you to spend thousands on his old watch)

a quick delve into Chronograph24 brings up this deluxe 168.015 for $3000 (and their prices are always way over the top)
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/om...4923736.htm?searchHash=6a2474bd_DYkCED&pos=11

Agree 100%.

Unless the OP's father has a very strong sentimental attachment to that particular watch, which would survive the total restoration of that particular watch, replacement absolutely makes the most sense. The cost would probably be similar, but a replacement with original dial and case would look much better, and the OP watch could be sold to recover part of the cost. Given the current price of gold, the case has significant value, so the net price for a good replacement might be $1000-$1500.

 

[DON]

What no one seems to mention is. That in order to fit the quartz movement into the case. The dial posts may have been cut off and dialed stuck to movement with sticky dots? Or whatever they’re called

Any current replacement crows are gold plated, so those will have a brassy look, but not much you can do about it

Find a good watchmaker. Post where you live and maybe someone can make a suggestion. See what he says and post here with an estimate.

Once you find out the right reference number. You can look for a replacement movement.

Last. Don’t mention it’s your father’s watch. Bought at a garage sale or flea market

Edited: Wed. 11:16am

 

[Harbormaster]

DON

What no one seems to mention is. That in order to fit the quartz movement into the case. The dial posts may have been cut off and dialed stuck to movement with sticky dots? Or whatever they’re called

Any current replacement crows are gold plated, so those will have a brassy look, but not much you can do about it

Find a good watchmaker. Post where you live and maybe someone can make a suggestion. See what he says and post here with an estimate.

Once you find out the right reference number. You can look for a replacement movement.

Last. Don’t mention it’s your father’s watch. Bought at a garage sale or flea market

I don’t understand the garage sale and flea market thing… can you please explain so I can understand?

 

[elessar]

I appreciate all of your feedback - thanks again!

I absolutely understand that, cosmetically, my dad's watch will never look as good as new, and I'm sure that I could eventually find another one in much better shape, possibly for the same net amount it will cost to do a movement transplant and repair job on this one. But the whole point of this is the sentimental value. I think my dad will only care that his old watch is working again. And for me, I want it to look like my dad's watch, not somebody else's.

So the question is, can I get it to be fully functional again with a movement transplant, new crown, etc. without worrying about getting the case and dial to look like they originally did? Again, I just want it to look like my dad's watch, and to have a proper working automatic movement. Do I really need to do things like repaint the dial or refinish the case, if I'm ok with it looking like a watch with 54 years' worth of "character" worn into it? 😀 Would it affect the functionality if I don't?

I do understand that the guy who put the quartz movement in, may have done some shady things to get it to fit, which will now need to be undone. In fact, I think I remember my dad saying that it kept getting "stuck" after he had that done to it, which is why he eventually abandoned it for the Seiko. So yes that could complicate things.

Now I'm looking for, as several of you have said, a good independent watchmaker. That seems to be easier said than done. I'm in the US, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. When I lookup watchmakers online, I seem to get results that fall into one of two categories: either expensive watch dealers/jewelers, or places in malls that replace watch batteries. 😀 Of the former, this is the one I'm thinking of contacting first:

https://sansomwatches.com/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/sansom-watches-wayne

How does that look to you guys? Any idea if that's the type of place I should be dealing with? Or if not, are any of you familiar enough with the Philly area to suggest alternatives? Thanks in advance!

 

[elessar]

Harbormaster

I don’t understand the garage sale and flea market thing… can you please explain so I can understand?

Right, I picked up on that as well. I think the idea is to not let them know that it has sentimental value, so they won't try to price-gouge me. If it's just something I picked up for a song, at a flea market, then I can take it or leave it.

That actually is probably good advice!