What can you tell me about this Constellation from this on-the-wrist image?

ConElPueblo · May 27, 2018

Here is the versions of crowns 14.XXX came with:

The knurled one in stainless steel is probably a service replacement. Note that it is thicker than the golden one. The knurled variant is far, far better than the decagonal one - it might not be as iconic as the other, but the decagonal Constellation crowns and the Seamaster cloverleaf crown are absolutely hateful to use. Nice to look at though 😀

CSG · May 27, 2018

Thanks, Con. I read though your thread on crowns. The crown that was on the watch when I bought it was smallish but well knurled. Far easier to use but I like the looks of the decagonal better even if it is a PITA.

Dan S · May 27, 2018

Funny, just ran across this auction. The watch has some issues (e.g. wrong crystal and replaced parts in movement), but the dial and hands look right.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OMEGA-CONS...727739?hash=item3d66bdebbb:g:riUAAOSwnkBbCjIJ

Screen Shot 2018-05-27 at 4.17.54 PM.png

CSG · May 29, 2018

Peemacgee
I think there is a simple misunderstanding here.
The term redial is usually coined for a repainted dial rather than a replaced dial.

It looks like a 561 14393 Calendar but with a polished case - and the fat crown is an incorrect replacement.
But as the Calendar may have been added, only looking inside will tell for sure.

You are right on both counts! I stopped by the jewelry store today and it's a 561 24 jewel movement and a 14393 reference number. I have to take the blame for the crown as I asked for it to be switched to this decagonal one that's on there now.

ulackfocus · May 29, 2018

The mid- to late-50's Constellations with CALENDAR on the dial usually came with the caliber 504 inside, which would make it a 2943.

CSG · May 29, 2018

U ulackfocus
The mid- to late-50's Constellations with CALENDAR on the dial usually came with the caliber 504 inside, which would make it a 2943.

Interesting. So are you suggesting the dial is wrong for the case? Here's a photo of the inside caseback followed by a photo of the movement if that provides any more info:

ulackfocus · May 29, 2018

CSG
Interesting. So are you suggesting the dial is wrong for the case?

It's a refinished dial, so who knows what was original?

CSG · Sep 19, 2020

Revisiting this thread from a couple years ago. The 561 movement is #174.... so, from what I can tell, 1960. I just posted the photo of the dial in the Worst Redial thread where I said I'd had the watch for at least 10 years. In this thread, two years ago, I said I'd bought it about 15 years earlier so I'll correct the remarks in the other post. I recently debated having the dial sent to Casey at Kent's in Seattle but at this stage of life, it's probably not worth it. Bottom line is that unless one looks closely at the dial lettering, its overall appearance on the wrist is great. And all these years later, it keeps time within 2-3 seconds a day.

Sherbie · Sep 19, 2020

Is the rotor still rubbing? In the above photos you can see that both the case and Rotor have been rubbing, and the case now has a severe ring or wear

i’m guessing, but if the dial is a later replacement, could It be that it doesnt fit correctly, and so It has lead to this, or it could be that the rotor bearings have worn, of course

something to ponder anyway

CSG · Sep 19, 2020

Honestly, I have no idea. If it's rubbing, it's not affecting accuracy or keeping the watch wound. Always interesting what people comment about. I think the dial is correct, just refinished with different hands and crown at my request. I'm not a watchmaker, I just wear watches. When they don't work correctly, I get them serviced. I'll have to take your word that the rotor has been rubbing. But if it has, it's had no effect other than your comments about wear. Now, I do see scratch marks on the movement and assumed that's because it was in and out of a now 60 year old watch countless times and some watchmakers aren't as careful as others.

Peemacgee · Sep 20, 2020

CSG
If it's rubbing, it's not affecting accuracy or keeping the watch wound. Always interesting what people comment about. I'll have to take your word that the rotor has been rubbing. But if it has, it's had no effect other than your comments about wear. Now, I do see scratch marks on the movement and assumed that's because it was in and out of a now 60 year old watch countless times and some watchmakers aren't as careful as others.

This is a common piece of friendly advice that @Sherbie is giving you.
The signs of rotor rub are the rings in the case back and the wear on the high points of the rotor (not scratches, where you are likely correct in suggesting rough manhandling)

Rotor rub is very common on these movts and can affect performance and generally an easy fix at service.
However, if you only wear the watch on the odd occasion then you’re unlikely to notice any issues.

CSG · Sep 20, 2020

Thanks. Considering again that it's now 60 years old, I wear it only occasionally and it keeps excellent time, it's not something I've ever noticed. If I ever get it serviced again in my lifetime, I'll ask about it. It could have been an issue long ago and now fixed or who knows?

Sherbie · Sep 20, 2020

CSG
Honestly, I have no idea. If it's rubbing, it's not affecting accuracy or keeping the watch wound. Always interesting what people comment about. I think the dial is correct, just refinished with different hands and crown at my request. I'm not a watchmaker, I just wear watches. When they don't work correctly, I get them serviced. I'll have to take your word that the rotor has been rubbing. But if it has, it's had no effect other than your comments about wear. Now, I do see scratch marks on the movement and assumed that's because it was in and out of a now 60 year old watch countless times and some watchmakers aren't as careful as others.

Just so you know what to look for in future, these are the signs of rotor rub

there will be a thin line of brassing on the rotor itself

And inside the case back, this will show as rings, or grooves, cut into the metal of the case back itself

Ps - i suspect the rotor on your watch is a replacement - as i can only see 1 main wear ring on this rotor,( and its a completely different colour to the rest of the movement), but inside the case back, i can see at least 3 wear rings. So suspect the original rotor has already been replaced some time ago.

wether the replacement rotor is rubbing or not, not sure. You may be able to hear it?

CSG · Sep 20, 2020

Thanks for taking time to point out the issues graphically, it is appreciated. I listened for it last night and didn't really hear anything. Makes sense that it could have been replaced in the past if this was an issue. As I've said, there are no issues with the watch's self-winding function, time keeping, reliability, etc. It's running like a chronometer should. My guess is that many years ago, the watchmaker bought this from a customer who had a non-working Constellation with a corroded dial and rebuilt it. He's been in business locally for a good 60 years (he just turned 94 last week) and has had many old watches for resale. He specialized in Accutron Space Views and pocket watches (he restored my great-great grandfather's key wind P.S. Bartlett movement in an AWC coin silver case. He was able to source the movement from 1877. My grandfather gave me the watch about 40 years ago and said the movement was frozen but it would be a nice keepsake. It runs today more accurately than any other watch I own (including my 3 Superlative Chronometers from Rolex). Anyway, this Omega may be a Frankenwatch with a poor redial but the watchmaker has served this community for decades and knows what he's doing. Hence, my suspicion that while the evidence of a rubbing rotor is apparent, the problem was long ago repaired.

What can you tell me about this Constellation from this on-the-wrist image?

ConElPueblo

CSG

Dan S

CSG

ulackfocus

CSG

ulackfocus

CSG

Sherbie

CSG

Peemacgee

CSG

Sherbie

CSG

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