Vintage omega constellation 168.005

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cge

·Tues. 8:46am

Hello, I am talking with an online vintage dealer about purchasing an omega constellation 168.005 - see attached. Looks authentic to me (except for strap) and in very good condition. Anything that sticks out to anyone? Was hoping to purchase for my fiance as an engagement gift as he really likes omegas.

 

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SOG53

·Tues. 9:16am

Hi and welcome. The watch looks original and dial good, except for the black mark around the 6:00 marker and less of mark on 7:00 marker.
Case is "soft" meaning heavily polished with removal of original sharp case lines which reduces its appeal and value. Caseback heavily polished.
Movement photo does not show the movement caliber number or servial number, which is needed to confirm it is correct for this watch.
What is asking price?
To most here the heavy polishing would be big negative. The sharp caselines are big part of appeal for these "dog leg" cases and this amount of polishing is a problem.

Here is what the lugs should look like

 

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Cartesian

·Tues. 9:25am

Welcome; this is a lovely idea for a gift!

I agree with the above that the dial is original (with a bit of damage around 6 o'clock) but that the amount of polishing would lead me to walk away.

One further thing to think about, if your fiancé likes contemporary Omegas, is that the vintage ones are markedly smaller. The 168.005 is 34mm, while most men's watches today are 40mm or larger

 

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cge

·Tues. 9:30am

Thank you! I have discovered a whole new world of vintage watches 😀

Serial number is 24498593 - I have other photos that show this and the caliber 561.

Here are a few more photos where you can see dog legs better, I agree they are very polished - current asking price is £3800 in the UK, but would come with a full service last month including reassembling movement, lubricating, time testing (-10 seconds). Also includes a 1 year warranty. I have seen cheaper ones but in much worse condition or with dubious sellers or on eBay with no warranty. Since it is an engagement present I wouldn't want to buy from that sort of site, but also can't spend yeara looking for one either.

 

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SOG53

·Tues. 9:37am

Outrageously overpriced. Do not buy this one at that price.
If you are in a hurry and willing to overpay at least find a better example.

 

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Wahoo98

·Tues. 9:45am

Yeah that price does seem high. Great idea for a gift, however, and just stunning watches if you can find at the right price. They seem to be in great demand, and the prices reflect that unfortunately. FWIW I have a wrist on the smaller side (around 6.5-6.75”) and find that the vintage Omegas in that 34-35mm range wear very well.

 

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cge

·Tues. 10:17am

SOG53

Outrageously overpriced. Do not buy this one at that price.
If you are in a hurry and willing to overpay at least find a better example.

Thank you - this is very good advice, I'll keep looking for a better one / more reasonably priced!

 

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cge

·Tues. 10:18am

Wahoo98

Yeah that price does seem high. Great idea for a gift, however, and just stunning watches if you can find at the right price. They seem to be in great demand, and the prices reflect that unfortunately. FWIW I have a wrist on the smaller side (around 6.5-6.75”) and find that the vintage Omegas in that 34-35mm range wear very well.

Thank you - my search continues 😀

 

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Peemacgee

·Tues. 10:59am·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

I would add that the crown is incorrect for this watch.

Great idea for a gift but the case is so heavily polished that my heart would bleed (with pain not joy) if I was into watches and I was gifted this watch.

The watch has been prepared for someone who knows nothing about watches, has heard that dogleg pie pans are the ‘ in thing’ and is swayed by ‘ooh shiny!’

BTW The price is absolutely outrageous for the condition.
6-12 months ago this would be a £1,000 watch.

Keep looking for something better and posting here for advice.

 

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ErichKeane

·Tues. 1:09pm

Peemacgee

I would add that the crown is incorrect for this watch.

Great idea for a gift but the case is so heavily polished that my heart would bleed (with pain not joy) if I was into watches and I was gifted this watch.

The watch has been prepared for someone who knows nothing about watches, has heard that dogleg pie pans are the ‘ in thing’ and is swayed by ‘ooh shiny!’

BTW The price is absolutely outrageous for the condition.
6-12 months ago this would be a £1,000 watch.

Keep looking for something better and posting here for advice.

Even TODAY that is an incredibly outrageously priced watch. Note it is NOT gold, it is filled/capped/whatever (that is, just a thin layer over steel). They are pricing it high for a solid-gold model.

You could get something that nice/nicer for ~$25-2600 USD, so even that in GBP could find you something really good.