Thoughts on this Connie 168.025

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Hello OF

I’m rather taken with this watch. It requires a tool 107 so there are no movement shots. It’s said to be running well and consistently at -1 min a day. Is that something to worry about or something a service ought to sort out?

Do you see any red flags from the image? The case looks sharp from other pictures and I like it.

Thanks for any comments.
Edited:
 
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-1 minute a day is screaming for a service. This watch should be able to run to within 10 seconds a day or less. The original specs were +6 to -4 seconds per day back in 1968, when this watch was made.
gatorcpa
 
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-1 minute a day is screaming for a service. This watch should be able to run to within 10 seconds a day or less. The original specs were +6 to -4 seconds per day back in 1968, when this watch was made.
gatorcpa
Would that suggest the movement is damaged? Asking because I won’t get to see the movement until I take it to a watchmaker. I would be sending it for a service anyway, but if -1 minute a day says it might well need a lot of work and or parts replaced I will think carefully about taking it on.

I realise nobody can say for sure without seeing pictures, just wondering if gut feeling says “be very wary”.
 
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I never said the movement was damaged. All watches need service periodically. Similar to getting an oil change for your car. Routine work.

But there is no way to know for sure. Even pictures don’t tell you everything.
gatorcpa
 
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a bit hard to tell from this photo, but i don't see any major red flags in that the dial looks like it has stayed dry during its life.

Moisture ingress is my biggest fear as that has always been the biggest cause of issues for me when servicing 550 series movements.

In your case the lume pips look like they might have browned a bit, but the hands look pretty solid to me, suggestion there has been minimal moisture ingress.

HOWEVER as with all vintage watches with unknown service history, you never do know what a past watchmaker has done in there...

To answer your question, to me depending on the price this one looks worth the gamble, provided you are prepared for the service. Just remember you never do know what you will find when you open it up...

perhaps its part of the thrill of opening up a new vintage piece on the bench, the roll of the dice. Nothing like cracking open a case and seeing a gleaming movement though. (except maybe the moment the movement whirrs back to life after setting the balance back in)

Good luck!
 
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I never said the movement was damaged. All watches need service periodically. Similar to getting an oil change for your car. Routine work.

But there is no way to know for sure. Even pictures don’t tell you everything.
gatorcpa

No, I know you didn’t say it was damaged - I was just checking if you meant that because it was losing a minute a day it was damaged. Thanks for clarifying.

thanks also to @noless for your reassuring comments.
If it stays within budget I’ll take the plunge.
 
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Are you married to this particular minute marker style? Compared to the more common (and Constellation-typical style) below?
 
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The markers of the watch immediately above have had most of the black paint removed. Not a good look, IMO. Here’s my example of the most common dial for this reference:



gatorcpa