Vintage Omega Constellation Restoration and Value Advice

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rana99

·Aug 2, 2026

Hi everyone, I’m new to this community and would appreciate some advice.

A few years back I got this watch that belonged to my grandfather. I believe it is a vintage Omega Constellation with a cloisonné enamel dial. As you can see from the photos, the watch is not currently in great condition.

I have a few questions:

1. Restoration: Is it possible to restore this watch to a better condition? If so, where would you recommend getting it serviced/restored, and what kind of cost should I expect?
2. Value: What would be a fair estimate of the watch’s current value?
3. Selling: If I decide not to keep it, what would be the best place to sell a watch like this to get a fair price?

I would appreciate any guidance, especially from those familiar with vintage Omega Constellations. Thank you!

 

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Dan S

·Aug 2, 2026

You should decide right now if you want to keep it or not, because if you want to sell it, you definitely do not want to invest anything in a restoration.

 

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JimInOz

·Aug 3, 2026·Melbourne Australia

If you wish keep it, be prepared for significant outlay. I would only send this to Omega Switzerland.

If you decide to sell it, do nothing except take good photos for whatever selling platform you choose.

 

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JimInOz

·Aug 3, 2026·Melbourne Australia

 

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gatorcpa

·Aug 3, 2026·ΩF InvestiGator

There is currently one for sale for $400,000:

https://thekeystone.com/products/om...fl-9uKwWF5nlel9yDHOuXCONR82DvYsVPPWTPtaScsN9Q

That one has the original gold bracelet, which makes a huge difference. Of course, this is a ridiculously high price. However, your watch even in this condition is quite valuable, if it can be authenticated.

For a watch this special and scarce, you really need to work through a trusted watchmaker that specializes in vintage Omega. At the very least, they should open the case and take pictures of the movement and inside the case.

If the watchmaker is certified by Omega (and I would only use one who was), they could replace the crystal with the current correct one for this reference and remove the surface gunk without polishing the watch. I would do no more to it.

I would then contact your local Omega Boutique and see if they can put you in touch with what’s left of Omega’s Heritage Department. Although they no longer issue Extracts from the Archives. For something this special, they might make an exception or give you some information regarding when the watch left the factory, even if only on an informal basis.

I’m not sure I’m in agreement with @JimInOz about sending to Omega Switzerland straight off. Although if the watch is missing its minute hand, as it looks from the photos, that may be your only option and even then they may not have the solid gold replacement part. But Omega may authenticate the watch as part of its service, so it is something to consider.

The above are just a few baby steps in a long journey to maximize the value of your watch or to restore it for its next lifetime of use.

Whatever you choose, good luck with it. A very special Constellation.
gatorcpa

 

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JimInOz

·Aug 3, 2026·Melbourne Australia

^^^

A well reasoned explanation of what you need to consider for this watch.
Take time to consider your options and don't rush anything.

 

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Dan S

·Aug 3, 2026

gatorcpa

There is currently one for sale for $400,000:
...

Whatever you choose, good luck with it. A very special Constellation.
gatorcpa

Yep. I haven't seen one at auction for a while, but in good condition with the original bracelet, it would very likely be in the low 6 figures. Restoration will probably involve going down a rabbit hole.

 

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Peemacgee

·Aug 3, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Great first post @rana99

Potentially a very exciting watch.

Would it be possible to get a good clear, straight on image of the dial please?
I suspect the scratches on the replacement crystal are distorting the edges of the inner field of stars.

Also, you might like to move the hands slightly - as I think here are two hands there already, albeit slightly short for the dial.
(just make sure that you don't cover any of the text if you can provide an additional pic)

I would mention that, whilst there are definitely minor variations in these dials - on images of all of the early cloisonné observatory dials I've found in major auction sales, the edges and side return of the 'telescope shutter' are clearly 'lined' like the one that @JimInOz posted from AJTT.
This doesn't appear on the OPs watch but of course it may just be a quite correct as yet unknown variation.

Here's hoping it is.

 

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Porteroso

·Aug 3, 2026

Just a clean and new crystal would do wonders, as already said. Beautiful watch. If you take this to a watchmaker, be very wary. You should trust the advice given here. Many watchmakers will have no clue about this.

 

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Fallout Boy

·Aug 3, 2026

What on earth happened to this watch? Plane crash in Congo? I am speechless....

 

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Shabbaz

·Aug 3, 2026

Yes. Could you send more pictures of the watch. Thnx

 

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DON

·Aug 3, 2026

Movement service and replacement of sweep hand, crystal change and jewellers rouge cloth to clean up case

I would contact the Omega distributor of the country you’re in to handle the shipping to Switzerland for restoration.

Do not change anything else. Leave dial as is.

Other choice. Sell as is and let the new owner decide.

 

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ErichKeane

·Aug 3, 2026

At least the minute hand (I can see the hour hand under it!) is wrong on OPs watch. Other than that and the crystal, I wouldn't want to replace/touch anything other than potential gaskets.

It also obviously requires a good case cleaning (I probably wouldn't even use a jewelers cloth).

OP: This is potentially a very valuable and collectable watch, so you have to decide what you are going to do with it. As others have said, this could be easily 5-6 figures as is. Even sending it back to Omega could reduce that value.

IF it were me, it would come down to 1 question: IS this something I want to wear/keep? For me (for a variety of other reasons too), the answer would be 'no'. There is no way I'd want something that valuable and easily damaged on my wrist.

IF you want to wear/keep it: Sending it back to Omega in Switzerland is the only way I'd go with this. They might damage the value by replacing parts, but it would at least be wearable.

IF you DON'T want to wear/keep it: Figure out a way to get this into some good watch auction. There are quite a few that folks post links from pretty often (Sothebys, etc?) that you might be able to sell it on. I typically would say avoid the pro auction houses as I think they get worse values than Ebay, but I don't see enough folks on Ebay bidding on this.

 

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Peemacgee

·Aug 3, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

ErichKeane

I typically would say avoid the pro auction houses as I think they get worse values than Ebay, but I don't see enough folks on Ebay bidding on this.

If the watch is indeed kosher then - to use your mode of messaging:
This is absolutely NOT an eBay watch.

To achieve top dollar, selling through one of the big auction houses at a specialist watch sale is the only way to go.
In that way, the watch will be vetted - and buyers, with very deep pockets, will have more confidence to put their money down.

 

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ErichKeane

·Aug 3, 2026

Peemacgee

If the watch is indeed kosher then - to use your mode of messaging:
This is absolutely NOT an eBay watch.

To achieve top dollar, selling through one of the big auction houses at a specialist watch sale is the only way to go.
In that way, the watch will be vetted - and buyers, with very deep pockets, will have more confidence to put their money down.

yeah, absolutely. Thanks for stating that more effectively/clearly than I did.

 

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rana99

·Aug 3, 2026

Hi all, appreciate everyone's feedback! Sharing a few updated pictures here that hopefully show a bit more detail.

As an update, a while back, I did reach out to one of the major auction houses, but they mentioned the watch didn't fit their current lineup/interests at the time.

Today, I contacted a local Omega boutique. They confirmed they no longer offer Extracts from the Archives, but suggested I bring the watch in so a technician can take an external look and advise on next steps before considering sending it to Switzerland for restoration. They also mentioned they might be able to give me a rough estimate of what a modern equivalent costs (although I don't think they will have this). I am leaning towards going that route before making a decision.

 

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jota

·Aug 3, 2026

Just love to be part of this forum. What a stunning piece of art.

 

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gatorcpa

·Aug 3, 2026·ΩF InvestiGator

R rana99

Today, I contacted a local Omega boutique. They confirmed they no longer offer Extracts from the Archives, but suggested I bring the watch in so a technician can take an external look and advise on next steps before considering sending it to Switzerland for restoration.

I think this is the right way to go. Good to see there is a minutes hand, but it looks a little bit short to me. Maybe it was replaced at one time.

R rana99

They also mentioned they might be able to give me a rough estimate of what a modern equivalent costs (although I don't think they will have this). I am leaning towards going that route before making a decision.

I can tell you what the modern equivalent costs:

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/...ial-master-chronometer-39-4-mm-14053392199001

Obviously, this doesn't have the cloisonné dial, but it is as close as you can get with a modern Omega.

gatorcpa

 

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Peemacgee

·Aug 3, 2026·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

Thank you for the additional images @rana99.

Unfortunately they really aren’t good enough to assess the dial properly - but they do show that the inner plane looks like it has a fine edge, which is important.

Regarding the auction house approach - any major house with a special watch sale should be falling over themselves to have this watch consigned with them.

Taking it to an Omega boutique will be a good start but any work by Omega will be expensive and there are potential risks involved -even if it goes to HQ in Bienne.

You might like to buy a tube of Polywatch and have a go at the crystal yourself as a starter.
(Just protect the case with masking tape first)

 

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DON

·Aug 3, 2026

Also just noticed. Crown took a smack and slightly off.

Hopefully maybe a bent stem. Tube if bent can be repaired