I am thinking of purchasing this Connie 168.005. However after reading all the different bloggs, threads and articles about counterfit cases, dials etc. I am a little hesitant. I would much appreciate your help. I have analysed the dial and it seems to pass the MOY-test. I have also looked at the lettering and it looks correct. It seems to be in good shape besides a mark at the dial at minute marker 7. According to the seller it should be cal. 551 which is also correct. However I haven't received a photo of the caseback or movement.The case seems to have been polished in the past. What do you think? Is it a pass or does it look fine for the money? The seller is asking 1200 USD.
Thank you!

 

Hello and welcome.
Love the screen name - I'm imagining some action movie featuring Mozart!

Well done on doing your initial research. I agree the dial looks original. The case also looks original - the most common fake of these stainless steel constellations have a date window.

Pending pictures of the internals, I think it looks like a reasonable watch, at a reasonable price.

 

Haha, the screen name is classic, two complete opposites. John Rambo playing the piano or Mozart beeing an action hero. However one looks at it, it's probably a movie that will never see the day of light

Thank you for the quick reply. I will see if I can get any pictures of the internals. You don't think it looks overpolished?

 

Hey, they made Predator vs Alien, so why not Rambo vs Mozart!

 

I also think everything looks ok and original. As you say, it's been polished but is still within acceptable limits. The price seems high to me. Maybe I'm out of touch but for that money I would expect a pristine unpolished example. That's if it is a private seller which I presume is the case here.

 

+1 on expensive... I had a tough time selling a better exemplar for 700ish a year ago

 

Ref. 168.005 is a Date version so something is wrong.....

None date should be a 167.005 cal. 551

 

That dent in the dial puts me instantly off, I bought a near NOS pie pan with a dent just like that and could never get it right so flipped it

 

561 and 564 are date calibers, 551 is correct for non date. I think the seller don't know what he has. Photo of caseback (and movement) would be good to confirm.

 

Thank you for all the quick responses. You are correct, my bad. The seller is selling 2 watches. The no date was a 167.005. It is now however sold :/

He has the 168.005 with Cal.561 left. However I think the dial looks a bit suspicious. The right hand side of the crosshair is thicker. Is it a redial or a re-touch of the original dial (As MOY etc. seems fine). It is in need of service and the asking price is 670 USD.

I am intereseted in a pie-pan so if you have anything interesting, please PM me

 

Someone did a really bad job trying to repaint that line. It's not even straight
I wouldn't buy that watch. Have some patience and a better one will come along.

 

I see the crosshair portion near the date that Vicke may be referring to, however having been looking at a lot of these lately overall the dial feels original to me and the case pretty good with some polishing on the back.

 

I think the dial is almost certainly original and it looks very nice

 

Thank you for all the advice. I got some additional pictures from the seller. He has been very cooperative in supplying all the information I have requested. It is a cal.564 which however needs servicing. According to the seller the crown is a little stiff (I believe I have read about this issue on several Cal.564). He has had a closer look and also said that the right side of the crosshair looks a little bit thicker. Don't know if that should be a dealbreaker, can this be restored?

 

Movement serial.no is 24xxx which seems correct to the case and period. Correct @gatorcpa ?

I am leaning towards buying it. Hopefully it won't be a moneypit

Once again thank you for all the advice, I am astonished on the amout of knowledge you all possess.

 

Ok, I see it now as you mention it. Does this mean that the whole rotor assembly and center bridge needs to be replaced? I have managed to find a used rotor and center bridge. However as you mention, it's no $20. Used I have found for $200. I am a bit more hesitant now as it might turn up to be a money pit. Probably a $200 service will not be the end of it. What do you think, pass and look for another watch?

 

Sometimes this can be tightened by the watchmaker, other times replacement parts have to be used. So an amount between $0 - $70 would, probably, be the price for correcting it. Basically, until a watchmaker has a look, no-one can tell.