- Posts
- 936
- Likes
- 4,304
lindo
·One of my boxes to be ticked when assessing a Constellation is the observatory medallion, for which I have an irrational fondness when in gold.
I know, I know - the dial, the sharpness of the case, the movement and the originality are more critical. But sometimes there is a watch that looks great from the front, then you turn it over and some numb nut has decided to make the gold observatory all shiny. Pestilence be upon them.
And because there are more than a few advertisers of vintage Constellations who seem to equate shiny medallions with 'lovely original condition', or even worse 'NOS', I thought I would offer a few examples of what their condition should look like to our new collectors.
Just for reference I am showing the dial as well as the back.
This is a gold capped Cal 551 from 1959, case number 14381 8 SC.
The next two examples are from Cal 712 Ultra slim Constellations. The 712 series is in my opinion not appreciated enough, but for interested collectors that also means that good condition examples are more easily found than their 500 series big brothers.
This one is a gold capped Cal 712 from 1966, case number SF167.0127.
And finally, an 18K gold Cal 712 from 1968, case back 157.0001.
I must confess that I am not showing you my other Constellations where the observatories are less sharp, because there is not much point. They are sharp enough to satisfy me as part of each overall watch, but not like these. Sometimes we just have to compromise a little......
I would love to see other examples from Forum members.
I know, I know - the dial, the sharpness of the case, the movement and the originality are more critical. But sometimes there is a watch that looks great from the front, then you turn it over and some numb nut has decided to make the gold observatory all shiny. Pestilence be upon them.
And because there are more than a few advertisers of vintage Constellations who seem to equate shiny medallions with 'lovely original condition', or even worse 'NOS', I thought I would offer a few examples of what their condition should look like to our new collectors.
Just for reference I am showing the dial as well as the back.
This is a gold capped Cal 551 from 1959, case number 14381 8 SC.
The next two examples are from Cal 712 Ultra slim Constellations. The 712 series is in my opinion not appreciated enough, but for interested collectors that also means that good condition examples are more easily found than their 500 series big brothers.
This one is a gold capped Cal 712 from 1966, case number SF167.0127.
And finally, an 18K gold Cal 712 from 1968, case back 157.0001.
I must confess that I am not showing you my other Constellations where the observatories are less sharp, because there is not much point. They are sharp enough to satisfy me as part of each overall watch, but not like these. Sometimes we just have to compromise a little......
I would love to see other examples from Forum members.
