The C-Cased Constellation Thread

[Andreas-am]

168.029 on 1172

 

[Andreas-am]

Changed to a 2036 today, which suits the watch very well. Thanks to @kaplan 😉.

 

[kaplan]

I recently stumbled onto this collage, and honestly it was very emotional for me, having 2 of my watches in there and also seeing a lot of familiar "arms"/watches - it was emotional. 😀

 

[kaplan]

Sometimes I really enjoy being the (assumably) only person interested in C-Case obscurities to this degree, just won this on eBay!



My journey has a lot of ups and downs though, hard to be a collector in Turkey - a month ago a package was rejected from customs and returned back to origin, it has since been lost, the package included this rarity, along with a separate blue enamel dial C-Case :/ I keep hope that it will eventually make it back though

 

[Andreas-am]

kaplan

I recently stumbled onto this collage, and honestly it was very emotional for me, having 2 of my watches in there and also seeing a lot of familiar "arms"/watches - it was emotional. 😀

Hey Kaan (@kaplan),

where did you see the collage? Mine with fume dial is also pictured...😀

 

[kaplan]

It was on a watch listing, but now that I think about it, it seems like a screenshot and text on top - so there is a collection out there that grids watches like in this screenshot - now I'm curious about what else it holds

 

[kaplan]

This is a C-Case, special dial - Can't wait for the archive service to go back up 😀

 

[studeb]

Jeepers!!!

 

[Boojumhunter]

kaplan

I recently stumbled onto this collage, and honestly it was very emotional for me, having 2 of my watches in there and also seeing a lot of familiar "arms"/watches - it was emotional. 😀

Must. Wear. These. More.

 

[Peemacgee]

kaplan

This is a C-Case, special dial - Can't wait for the archive service to go back up 😀

if correct that must be one of the earliest C cases in existence

 

[kaplan]

Skewed model stamp

 

[kaplan]

Turns out there's a 168.007 as well!

Sadly this one, which made me research the number, is very badly refinished: https://www.chrono24.com/omega/omega-constellation-168007-18k-c-shape-1963--id32286153.htm



Edit: Probably it's 168007 and not 168.007 but still pretty interesting

 

[Peemacgee]

kaplan

Turns out there's a 168.007 as well!

Sadly this one, which made me research the number, is very badly refinished: https://www.chrono24.com/omega/omega-constellation-168007-18k-c-shape-1963--id32286153.htm



Edit: Probably it's 168007 and not 168.007 but still pretty interesting

This is indeed very interesting @kaplan - I love it when the 'Omega anomalies' appear.

I was about to write:
"a C-case with a 1963 movement? - something fishy there"

However, if you do look into the ref number, there are a few come up.
A couple at Kaplan's
One at Bukowski's
One at Bonhams

All with similar serial numbers - i.e. one (the earliest) with 19,69x and others with early 20,XXX
All with what is considered to be the original Genta 'slimline' indices and hands.
All with only 'SWISS' rather than 'SWISS MADE' (I always thought this pointed to a US-destined watch but they have mainly been seen in European auction houses)

So, either the C-case was born in 1962/3 as the solid gold 168007, before it was thought to be released around 1964 as the 168.008/9 - or Omega kept a batch of 561 movements back to be used later.

There doesn't seem to be a reason to keep back movts as they were still producing these movts en-masse until around '66

There is an OF thread from 2015 where @gatorcpa links to one of the Kaplan watches
https://omegaforums.net/threads/some-help-here-168-007.29397/

Bonham's and Bukowskis Auction house 168007s
https://www.bonhams.com/auction/198...tion-case-no624114168007-movement-no20950104/
https://www.bukowskis.com/en/auctio...-constellation-c-chronometer-wristwatch-35-mm

excerpts from Desmond's essay on C-cases


Edit
I should add that Omega have form with early 'lost' designs.
There is a pre-168.004 watch with a 5-digit case reference, whereby only a couple have come to light (and one of those happened to be Ringo Star's watch)

Edited: Dec 29, 2023

 

[SOG53]

My first C Case
168.029 gold cap on 1175/78 GF bracelet, 1970
Nice linen dial
From OH jewellers auction win bid 550
Thanks @kaplan for tip
I think there will be more of these to come.

 

[max8319]

SOG53

My first C Case
168.029 gold cap on 1175/78 GF bracelet, 1970
Nice linen dial
From OH jewellers auction win bid 550
Thanks @kaplan for tip
I think there will be more of these to come.

What is the OH Jewelers auction? Online or in-person? Any suggestions on finding other gems like this at auction?

 

[Boojumhunter]

SOG53

My first C Case
168.029 gold cap on 1175/78 GF bracelet, 1970
Nice linen dial
From OH jewellers auction win bid 550
Thanks @kaplan for tip
I think there will be more of these to come.

My favourite bracelet.

 

[SOG53]

M max8319

What is the OH Jewelers auction? Online or in-person? Any suggestions on finding other gems like this at auction?[/QUOTE
@kaplan knew this was on my radar and tipped me to the auction. I think it was in Everthing But the House which connects to multiple auctions.

 

[max8319]

Thanks for the tip! Never heard of this one, but will keep an eye for more Constellations

 

[kaplan]

Pretty soon I can say “I know what I have!”

Slowly going through and cataloguing everything

 

[gbesq]

kaplan

Pretty soon I can say “I know what I have!”

Slowly going through and cataloguing everything

Very nice and all in outstanding condition! 🥰