I bought this 1966 Constellation from a OF member in February. I loved the look of it when I bought it and I love it even more after receiving it. I had no idea the hour markers, date surround and hands would catch and play with the light the way they do. I love to look at it while twisting it this way and that in the light. All the different facets add to the glamour of the watch.

I have a microscope right next to my desk. I used it to look at Connie. When I did, I found something unexpected. There is some kind of writing/inscription under the top 2 lugs at 12 o’clock. The previous owner did not recognize its presence before, so could offer no explanation. I took some quick pictures, but they turned out terrible. It’s taken me until now to get some better ones.


Maybe some of the experienced members here can provide some insight. Maybe it is something left over from a service? I know normally this information is on the inside of the case back. There are markings/inscriptions on the inside of my case back. Would a dealer mark a watch in such a way to recognize their own inventory? I don’t know and I’ve not heard of that, but I am new to the watch world.

Here is one lug and what the text may be. This one seems straight forward compared to the other one...


Here is the other lug and what the text may be. The symbols don't match in only one direction. I mean it could be a "F" in one direction, but the other could be a "B" in the other direction.


I'm curious to know what you think.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Clearly your watch was used in satanic rituals

 

They were trying to turn it into a fake rolex.

 

Coordinates to Jimmy Hoffa's burial site

 

Some form of ID in case the watch was stolen? I saw this not to long ago on another watch, scribed on the back of the lug. My first thought was it looked like a drivers lic #.

 

Yeah, could be. I didn't think of an owner doing that.

 

I'm going to assume this is fairly uncommon. I don't think I'll take up the practice of marking my DL on the watch back. I'll just write down the movement numbers.

 

My Longines Conquest has this as well. It hasn't been serviced prior to me getting it, so I'd assume that the jeweller's store it originated from did it.

 

In that last picture, it clearly reads 'Eel brie'.

 

Bet the person who placed those markings there got poor penmanship grades in elementary school.

 

I have had several pocket watches that
came to me with what I assumed were
previous owner's Driver License numbers
or social security numbers engraved / scratched
into the cases.

Police home-security officers and such
suggested people do that so stolen goods
could be easily identified and or/ the theft discouraged.

The lose-of-value due to the degradation
of the originality was never a factor.