The C-Cased Constellation Thread

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Can't let the gents have all the fun

Edit: this is a WG bezel on a steel case, btw aCzyQaJ_d.jpg
 
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Question for the C-Case lovers - I was digging around the murky depths of ebay (not my listing) and the seller said the bezel on his was *Yellow Gold*.

Did omega ever make anything like this, I did a bit of research and all I could find was that all the knurled bezels on stainless steel cases were white gold.

What do we think?

Uhoh...

I am admittedly a newbie... trying to learn as much as I can, and then I find this thread. I fear I may have pulled the trigger too quickly... I ended up with this piece.

Actually, after I hit the buy button, I immediately started having buyer's remorse because the fog of my Constellation obsession unclouded for a second and I asked myself if I have ever seen a yellow gold bezel on a C-case. Everything I've read online, using my mad Google skillz has said Omega never made a two tone C-case. Desmond's blog only shows two-tone for the post-C-case 751 Constellations.

Seller said he is the 2nd owner (he got it from his grandfather when his grandfather passed away in 1975), and as Meelypops said, he insists that it is yellow gold. I hope it's real and that it's a rare factory two-tone. But I am a little disheartened, and maybe its WG bezel was replaced sometime with YG.

Anyway, here it is. I thought at first it was dirty white gold, but upon closer inspection, it looks like yellow gold. Also I noticed lume pips with no "T" Newbie lesson learned?

Working on replacing the bracelet.
 
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Lume pips and the Swiss T are contingent on tritium content I think so it isn't a hard and fast rule (someone correct me if im wrong).

Also, seller replaced case back on that one, I was in eBay conversation, so try and fetch the original off him if possible, he removed it due to the scratch.

As far as the bezel goes, the guys suggested yellow godl and atainless steel was indeed a factory option. It's a good piece in great condition, just make sure you get that caseback!
 
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Uhoh...

I am admittedly a newbie... trying to learn as much as I can, and then I find this thread. I fear I may have pulled the trigger too quickly... I ended up with this piece.

Actually, after I hit the buy button, I immediately started having buyer's remorse because the fog of my Constellation obsession unclouded for a second and I asked myself if I have ever seen a yellow gold bezel on a C-case. Everything I've read online, using my mad Google skillz has said Omega never made a two tone C-case. Desmond's blog only shows two-tone for the post-C-case 751 Constellations.

Seller said he is the 2nd owner (he got it from his grandfather when his grandfather passed away in 1975), and as Meelypops said, he insists that it is yellow gold. I hope it's real and that it's a rare factory two-tone. But I am a little disheartened, and maybe its WG bezel was replaced sometime with YG.

Anyway, here it is. I thought at first it was dirty white gold, but upon closer inspection, it looks like yellow gold. Also I noticed lume pips with no "T" Newbie lesson learned?

Working on replacing the bracelet.

There is a period advert showing two-tone Constellations somewhere, you'll have to dig it up and confirm that it is the correct reference. Lume pips with no T's are okay on some 70's issue Omegas, I'd say that it is most likely correct on yours.
 
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Lume pips and the Swiss T are contingent on tritium content I think so it isn't a hard and fast rule (someone correct me if im wrong).

Also, seller replaced case back on that one, I was in eBay conversation, so try and fetch the original off him if possible, he removed it due to the scratch.

As far as the bezel goes, the guys suggested yellow godl and atainless steel was indeed a factory option. It's a good piece in great condition, just make sure you get that caseback!

Thank you for this! I will try to track the case back down-- I didn't know it was replaced!
Despite my doubts, I really am in love with this design. I'm taking it to my watchmaker today to have it serviced and cleaned.

I'm also curious about the bracelet. I suspected it was aftermarket because as far as I understood, the 168.029s came with leather straps, but if indeed the bezel is factory YG, then there might be a possibility that the bracelet is original, or was bought to match the YG bezel. Like Hermansen a few pages back, I think this is a 1125 bracelet. This one is also stamped "77" on the end links, and on the clasp, "2-73." It's SS, gold plated along the center links. None of my searches yielded 1125 bracelets as standard.
 
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Thank you for this! I will try to track the case back down-- I didn't know it was replaced!
Despite my doubts, I really am in love with this design. I'm taking it to my watchmaker today to have it serviced and cleaned.

I'm also curious about the bracelet. I suspected it was aftermarket because as far as I understood, the 168.029s came with leather straps, but if indeed the bezel is factory YG, then there might be a possibility that the bracelet is original, or was bought to match the YG bezel. Like Hermansen a few pages back, I think this is a 1125 bracelet. This one is also stamped "77" on the end links, and on the clasp, "2-73." It's SS, gold plated along the center links. None of my searches yielded 1125 bracelets as standard.
I'm unsure on the date of the bracelet etc. But from what I've read a lot of omega pieces were sold without bracelets, so buyers picked what they wanted, seems conceiveabl to me that buyer bought it at the same time, it's omega branded, no? I'm sure the seller will provide case back! The designs great and the brushing/chamfered edges are great on yours.
 
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The period advert @ConElPueblo mentions is further up in this thread here. A screenshot from Desmond's Omega Constellation Collectors blog.

Thank you. I was wondering if that was @ConElPueblo was referring to, but that advertisement is showing Constellation 368.0845 with the integrated bracelet-- including the two tone, yes. I have searched far and wide for an ad that clearly shows the C-case in two-tone but haven't struck gold yet. I think I did read on Desmond's blog that with 168.029, Omega was starting to show a wider variety of finishes for the C-case Constellation, but I thought he referred to dial finishes and colors. Maybe they also had variations for bezels too.
 
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i've recently acquired this for my brothers 50th birthday gift
it will be on its way to Simon Freese in the morning to get it serviced.
now i need to find a nice strap and period correct buckle, can anyone help in the quest re where to look for genuine?
 
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i've recently acquired this for my brothers 50th birthday gift
it will be on its way to Simon Freese in the morning to get it serviced.
now i need to find a nice strap and period correct buckle, can anyone help in the quest re where to look for genuine?
Try the buckles sticky thread @omegastar was great with me, hopefully he can help you out! (sorry if the tag was unwanted)
 
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I like them. I've always assumed that C case stood for cushion, but never had confirmation. Does it?
I've always assumed that too, they are comfortable to wear as well
 
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the Universal Geneve Rail watch has a larger C case design than our hero, slightly bigger than a Cosmic too
 
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Another grey dial 168.029 for the gallery.
This ones a keeper I like it a lot.
Edited:
 
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]

I like them. I've always assumed that C case stood for cushion, but never had confirmation. Does it?

I've always assumed that too, they are comfortable to wear as well[/QUOTE

I think it was the shape of two "c" facing it other....

bill

For future generations looking for correct information

This.
 
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Never followed up with a post service pic, sorry for the delay, here it is:

Lots of beautiful c-shapes in this thread! Keep them coming!

Cheers,

Max
 
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I'm about to pick one of these up, but I can't decide Day-date or Date-only?...
 
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Also, I can't see a pattern to the numerous variations:
1) fluted bezel vs. smooth bezel
2) thick baton hands vs thin
3) thick markers vs. thin
4) smooth dial vs sunburst
Perhaps it's age of production?
 
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I would go date only. Think it has the better dial proportions and setting the day date takes much longer. Unless you don鈥檛 wear it each day you don鈥檛 wanna set the date for every time you wear it 馃榾

Bezel and dial differences are model variations. For the remaining items it might be production period 馃槙