The C-Cased Constellation Thread

kaplan · May 14, 2022

Thanks to @Zapatta I've met the collector, @masteroftime mentioned a collector who was buying a lot of 168.017's that I've been meaning to meet, turns out it's the same person so it was really a nice surprise, and cutting to the chase the dark red dial wasn't for sale 😀

It's been a good few days for my collection, installed a new crystal on my used to death (probably literally) crosshair dial:

Discovered my electronic microscope that I forgot why I bought:

Cleaned this project watch, it had a cracked crystal:

^ I know it doesn't look too dark in the photo, but it was basically a bubbling tar pit in real life, auto contrast made it look a bit better

^ Turns out it was a gem under all that dirt and the cracked crystal

And finally received the caseback opener @noless suggested, I can finally open watches that I was too afraid to open before, I probably never opened more than half of the watches in my collection

cverstegen · May 19, 2022

Hey C-case fans! I have been really getting into these lately and hope to get one soon.

While trying to learn all I can, I came across this site (http://omega-constellation-collecto...12/constellation-c-shape-omegas-child-of.html) with this article (http://www.mediafire.com/file/nwtxwmkgyfl/C-Shape OMega Constellation.pdf) which states that:

"a C-Shape retaining its original finish will always have a solid gold sun guilloche bezel (white gold on stainless steel) in models other than the knurled bezel collection."

When I look closely at images of non knurled bezels on stainless cased examples of these, the metal seems to be stainless in color and not white gold. I also keep seeing examples for sale that seem to have a bit of rust on the bezel, leading me to believe that this article is incorrect. Can any of you experts confirm weather the non-knurled bezels on stainless models are solid white gold? Perhaps they sometimes are? Or are they never? The knurled bezels are solid gold, yes?

Thanks, as always, for sharing your knowledge!

kaplan · May 19, 2022

Knurled bezels are usually solid gold, I personally believe there are different gold colors as well, it's 18K white gold, but I've seen one seller indicate the watch he's selling was 14K, and it was one of the yellow looking bezels, he said he got it tested via x-ray

168.027 and 168.029 have knurled bezels while 168.017 and 168.019 have flater bezels, steel 168.017/9 models have steel bezels

Rust on the bezel is indeed a common issue, I have one such watch and thinking of sending it to a professional case restorer, but also internally debating whether I should keep it original, the debate has been going on for almost a year

Peemacgee · May 19, 2022

cverstegen
Hey C-case fans! I have been really getting into these lately and hope to get one soon.

While trying to learn all I can, I came across this site (http://omega-constellation-collecto...12/constellation-c-shape-omegas-child-of.html) with this article (http://www.mediafire.com/file/nwtxwmkgyfl/C-Shape OMega Constellation.pdf) which states that:

"a C-Shape retaining its original finish will always have a solid gold sun guilloche bezel (white gold on stainless steel) in models other than the knurled bezel collection."

When I look closely at images of non knurled bezels on stainless cased examples of these, the metal seems to be stainless in color and not white gold. I also keep seeing examples for sale that seem to have a bit of rust on the bezel, leading me to believe that this article is incorrect. Can any of you experts confirm weather the non-knurled bezels on stainless models are solid white gold? Perhaps they sometimes are? Or are they never? The knurled bezels are solid gold, yes?

Thanks, as always, for sharing your knowledge!

C-cases must be the Constellation with the most variations of any Connie reference and so some info might not have made it into Desmond's essay on them.
Not all of the variations should be revered in equal measure, such as the (thankfully uncommon) two-tone solid gold 168.008, which has a yellow gold body and a plain white gold bezel.
Due to the number that exist, that can't be easily put down to over-zealous polishing during service, there is also the strong probability that 'flat' bezel non-precious C-cases were supplied with steel bezels that had either a radial or plain finish.
Not being a C-case devotee I have no specific explanation for this but it could have been an intended design statement (like the 168.008) or simply be down to different case manufacturers.
Perhaps something for @kaplan to investigate on his travels through the world of C-cases?

kaplan · May 19, 2022

I agree, anything is possible, also hard to draw a line

My observations are only 2 years old, and it's mainly from absorbing all the examples available online and talking to sellers and collectors, I've never read about a first hand account, one common place observations go wrong is bracelets, there are Quartz C-Cases and their slightly smaller bracelets are used on C-Cases, I assume if a person had both these, s/he might've used the bracelet on a C-Case, and if this happened with more than one owner, it likely gives the impression that the bracelet is a C-Case bracelet

It's also possible that back in the day things weren't this serious, maybe Omega itself wasn't so strict, and they could've blurred the lines every now and then, the 7-row bracelet with 620 endlinks is my main curiosity at the moment, I see it on so so many watches, I've got 2 of them myself, yet it was originally intended for another model with a different case shape with similar lines as I learned later on from jameschat10 on eBay who's a good source for reliable information

My main interest is 561-751 cal C-Case's, and both our answers were aimed towards these models, I suspect there might be fluted/knurled steel bezelled 168.057's out there, or maybe they are all steel, I was never able to observe or read anything conclusive about the 1000+ cal bezel, I only had one model and sold it when I decided to concentrate only on 561-751's, if I had it, I'd probably invest the time/effort and get it x-rayed to learn what it was, that model looks steel to me, maybe there are both steel and white gold variations, I don't think anyone cares too much at this point and it's assumed the later bezel is WG bezel as well, I've seen it sold that way but it always had the steel look

Completely going off topic, there are UK cases, US special editions with unique cases and dials, there are custom made cases from Spanish originating countries where import laws caused weird things, I believe Omega also could've sanctioned some of these in-country cases, @Boojumhunter showed me one recently and while it was an odd gold case that looked custom made, it had an odd etched Omega logo inside the caseback

All in all, probably around 1000 variations out there, incredible considering it was just 5-6 years of production

@cverstegen I guess best upload a photo with questions 😀

Archer · May 19, 2022

kaplan
168.027 and 168.029 have knurled bezels while 168.017 and 168.019 have flater bezels, steel 168.017/9 models have steel bezels

Looking at the Omega Extranet, the 168.027 as an example, in steel it shows only a steel bezel - 082ST1680027.

There are many variations of this case, so...

18k yellow gold
18k pink gold
18k white gold
14k pale yellow gold
14k pale yellow gold capped
14k pink gold capped
Stainless

kaplan · May 19, 2022

One more thing to look out for I guess, never would’ve guessed they would replace a white gold bezel with a steel one, I haven’t seen any steel bezels on 168.027’s on the market though

@Archer while we have you on the line - is there a service dial for 168.029 - I’ve been seeing pristine pearl/gray sunburst dials for 168.029’s - I originally thought it was a late variation dial before they discontinued the model, but all of them being pristine, I started suspecting they are replacement dials

Archer · May 19, 2022

kaplan
One more thing to look out for I guess, never would’ve guessed they would replace a white gold bezel with a steel one, I haven’t seen any steel bezels on 168.027’s on the market though

Well, any steel version should come with a steel bezel.

kaplan
@Archer while we have you on the line - is there a service dial for 168.029 - I’ve been seeing pristine pearl/gray sunburst dials for 168.029’s - I originally thought it was a late variation dial before they discontinued the model, but all of them being pristine, I started suspecting they are replacement dials

Yes, there is. If you post an example, I'll tell you if it is the same dial I see on the Extranet.[/QUOTE]

kaplan · May 19, 2022

Archer
Well, any steel version should come with a steel bezel.

Watches are steel, but the bezels are white gold, so it's a 2 material design, so could the part be for the steel version but itself be white gold?

Archer
Yes, there is. If you post an example, I'll tell you if it is the same dial I see on the Extranet.

There's a sunburst version of this font, a brushed version, and a linen/meteor version, but I couldn't find the meteor variant right now, the long "C" of Constellation sets it apart from other dials, so if these are indeed service dials, I guess it was a nice move to set them apart from the originals

cverstegen · May 19, 2022

Thanks, for the information @kaplan @Peemacgee and @Archer . Ok, so it seems that the essay was a little misleading in that one aspect, though quite good in the rest. As for photos, I will certainly upload to get opinions if I find one that I am thinking about buying! Any leads are welcome 😀 ...now to keep searching!

Archer · May 19, 2022

kaplan
Watches are steel, but the bezels are white gold, so it's a 2 material design, so could the part be for the steel version but itself be white gold?

The bezel for the steel version is steel, as I've said. This is the only bezel listed for the steel case:

082ST1680027 | STEEL BEZEL

There is a white gold bezel listed also:

082BC1680027 | BEZEL WHITE GOLD 18CT

But it is listed as only being used on the white gold case.

kaplan
There's a sunburst version of this font, a brushed version, and a linen/meteor version, but I couldn't find the meteor variant right now, the long "C" of Constellation sets it apart from other dials, so if these are indeed service dials, I guess it was a nice move to set them apart from the originals

The first watch you show is the dial I see as still available...

cverstegen · May 19, 2022

...also now noticing that the constellation collectors blog is mentioned all over OF. My "I came across this site..." certainly showing me to be quite the noob. 🤦 haha.

padders · May 19, 2022

As Al says. My steel watch has a polished plain steel bezel. There may be versions with mixed metals but it’s not a rule.

cverstegen · May 19, 2022

I would love to hear people's thoughts about this one. Asking $865. I am looking for something to wear regularly and it will probably get a little scratched and dinged, so I don't need it to be spotless. I do want it to run well though, so I would send it out for a service right away.

I see a little corrosion at the edge of the dial around 10 o'clock, and of corse there are the general scratches and dings, but it looks like its bevels are still crisp and has the bracelet, which I want.

Sadly there is a little rust where the case back seals. Do you think this is a red flag?

Thoughts, comments, and possible red flag warnings are appreciated!

kaplan · May 19, 2022

cverstegen
I would love to hear people's thoughts about this one. Asking $865. I am looking for something to wear regularly and it will probably get a little scratched and dinged, so I don't need it to be spotless. I do want it to run well though, so I would send it out for a service right away.

I see a little corrosion at the edge of the dial around 10 o'clock, and of corse there are the general scratches and dings, but it looks like its bevels are still crisp and has the bracelet, which I want.

Sadly there is a little rust where the case back seals. Do you think this is a red flag?

Thoughts, comments, and possible red flag warnings are appreciated!

Not a red flag, the watch is clean and crisp and the price is good

Edit: Keep in mind that the Japanese declare the full value, so you'll pay customs tax, but still, I buy from them too and enjoy the watches, that seller, if I got him correct from the style and the quality, is a good one

noless · May 20, 2022

I just finished servicing this 168.029 with the linen dial and WG bezel.

My thanks to @Archer again for the advice on getting the day dial in sync with the date indicator.

I tell myself now that my c-case collection is complete, but I don't have a hummer yet...

MissDee · May 22, 2022

Hello all,

I have been pointed in this direct by @noless

I am looking for a 1972 omega for my husbands 50th birthday.

I have found this one on Chrono24 and would like some options, seller has it listed at a fixed price of £995

MissDee · May 22, 2022

Images continued

noless · May 22, 2022

That price feels a bit too much for that example.

The lume has come out of the hands, I don't think that is the right crown for this case, though it is a signed omega crown at least.

This is not the bracelet that these came with, and it is supposed to be a 19mm bracelet for a c-case.

MissDee · May 22, 2022

Is this one any good?

The C-Cased Constellation Thread

kaplan

cverstegen

kaplan

Peemacgee

kaplan

Archer

kaplan

Archer

kaplan

cverstegen

Archer

cverstegen

padders

cverstegen

kaplan

noless

MissDee

MissDee

noless

MissDee

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