- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·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
...
Suggestions for restoring a late 60s Constellation
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·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.
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·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.
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·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.)
...
- Posts
- 1,956
- Likes
- 1,197
DON
·E elessarRight, 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!
- Posts
- 9,594
- Likes
- 15,151
padders
··Oooo subtitles!Long story short. Sell it for scrap and buy something else, perhaps something your father chooses. That is a massive money pit. It’s just not a model worth spending 4 figures putting back to stock. The original watch when tidy is worth way less than your likely outlay. Since he’s still around, you can at least involve your dad in the conversation.
This watch is a Trigger’s Broom candidate. Look it up if you don’t know what I mean. The dial is knackered, the movement is missing and the case is badly worn. Give it up.
This watch is a Trigger’s Broom candidate. Look it up if you don’t know what I mean. The dial is knackered, the movement is missing and the case is badly worn. Give it up.
- Posts
- 53
- Likes
- 63
Harbormaster
·E elessarRight, 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!
- Posts
- 20,491
- Likes
- 47,264
Dan S
·Long story short. Sell it for scrap and buy something else, perhaps something your father chooses. That is a massive money pit. It’s just not a model worth spending 4 figures putting back to stock. The original watch when tidy is worth way less than your likely outlay. Since he’s still around, you can at least involve your dad in the conversation.
This watch is a Trigger’s Broom candidate. Look it up if you don’t know what I mean. The dial is knackered, the movement is missing and the case is badly worn. Give it up.
On the other hand, maybe the watch has a lot of sentimental value for the OP himself, which he can certainly evaluate.
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·E elessar... 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?
...
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!
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·Blunt, but accurate. My concern, TBH, is that the OP might be overestimating the sentimental value for his father. Most people really don't want to preserve the condition of such a badly damaged watch. Yes, some charming patina is worth preserving, but there are limits.
On the other hand, maybe the watch has a lot of sentimental value for the OP himself, which he can certainly evaluate.
In any case, yeah I think at this point I'm putting greater sentimental value on this watch than my dad is. He knows I am looking to get it fixed - I asked him for it, I didn't sneak over to their house and sneak it out of the drawer. 😀 But to him it would be more like, cool it works again! I honestly think he puts more value on that original gold band that he had melted down when it wore out, and re-forged into a new, non-standard but definitely still gold band, which he now wears with my crappy old gold-plated Seiko LOL.
I view this watch more as an heirloom - the watch my grandfather gave to my dad when my parents got married, which will someday get passed down to my son.
As I said on that post I bumped above, [ want to know if I can get just the movement replaced, and the crown obviously - just enough that it works again, with a proper automatic movement. I know the case and the dial have all kinds of cosmetic wear, and to me that just makes it more special. Again, as long as those don't affect the functionality of the watch.
Based on what you all have said, I agree that taking it to Omega is a bad idea - certainly would be the most expensive, and take the longest, and they I'm sure will insist on fully restoring it cosmetically as well as mechanically - more $$$$ for them!
What I want to do right now is find that "good, independent watchmaker" that several of you have suggested, take it to them, have them open up that monocoque case and see just how badly the last guy messed it up when he put the quartz movement in it. And then tell me exactly which parts we'll need to get to restore the movement, but keep it cosmetically the same, other than whatever changes are required to get it to work mechanically - that's it.
So back to my last question... when I Google watchmakers, I get either expensive watch dealers/jewelers, or the little shops in malls that replace watch batteries! Can't seem to find anything in between. Trying to find someone that looks like I can go to them with my request above, and they will (a) be able to handle it, and (b) not try to totally fleece me. I do like the idea of just telling them it was a garage sale find, or maybe that a relative found it in a drawer, but not make a big deal out of it - I just want to see if I can make it functional again.
Having said that, are any of you familiar with the Philadelphia, PA suburbs, enough to recommend a good independent watchmaker around here?
And also, does this look like a decent place to start?
https://sansomwatches.com/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/sansom-watches-wayne
Thanks again in advance, and I really do appreciate everyone's feedback - it was a lot more than I expected! This seems to be a very cool and active group.
- Posts
- 20,491
- Likes
- 47,264
Dan S
·Try searching the forum for recommendations in your area. This is one of the most common questions we get.
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
- Posts
- 1,956
- Likes
- 1,197
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·
Oh nice, I will check that out too, thanks!
Meanwhile, from searching threads in here I came up with a few local (or close enough) places, then whittled them down to just one, because the rest either had mixed reviews or had closed down. This is what I'm left with:
http://chronotekinc.com/?p=services
Chronotek in Souderton, which is up north a bit, maybe a 45 minute drive so not too bad.
Meanwhile, from searching threads in here I came up with a few local (or close enough) places, then whittled them down to just one, because the rest either had mixed reviews or had closed down. This is what I'm left with:
http://chronotekinc.com/?p=services
Chronotek in Souderton, which is up north a bit, maybe a 45 minute drive so not too bad.
- Posts
- 1,956
- Likes
- 1,197
DON
·E elessarOh nice, I will check that out too, thanks!
Meanwhile, from searching threads in here I came up with a few local (or close enough) places, then whittled them down to just one, because the rest either had mixed reviews or had closed down. This is what I'm left with:
http://chronotekinc.com/?p=services
Chronotek in Souderton, which is up north a bit, maybe a 45 minute drive so not too bad.
Biggest expense will be the movement replacement. Find out the caliber {case reference will tell you that) and maybe purchase on your own
- Posts
- 539
- Likes
- 1,207
bsowers34
·E elessarThank 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? 🙂
- Posts
- 16
- Likes
- 2
elessar
·Ok, I took it to Sansom Watches today, for a start. The guy examined it and pretty much concurred with what you guys have been saying. Said mostly the value of the watch right now is just in the gold. He said it can be restored, but estimated between $2000 and $2500, depending on the condition of whatever replacement movement we can find. I didn't have him do any work on it at this point, just said I would think about it. Next I will contact ChronoTek and see if I can get a 2nd estimate from them.
