As Constellation watches become increasingly collectible and the availability of quality examples begins to shrink, pay particular attention to anything that looks half good. Chances are it IS only half good. Below is a sample :
Item Number
160208526485 - Sold by ecosse_watches - Total Fake: You wont be able to see this listing now as it has mysteriously been removed, but I hope soon to put up some pictures of it.
Of course this was a 'private' auction, because that way no-one can warn off the buyer as to the status of the dud watch offered.
The name of this seller is Colin Gillies, 37 James Murdie Gardens, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire ML3 0RT in the UK.
I emailed this seller (ecosse_watches) via the eBay system and not his email address at colin_gillies@btopenworld.com and advised him that calibre 562 as presented in his pictures was not a Constellation calibre. I also advised him that the case and dial were fake and suggested he read my post on these fake Connies.
Gillies in an email to the seller is now refusing to deal further In a perfect piece of dissembling he tried to throw the buyer off the scent by suggesting that, and I quote, "I think he was the guy who told me he didn't like the look of it but then wanted me to end the auction and sell it to him privately!"
Of course Colin cannot produce an email from me making any such offer, but he does have one sent to him through the ebay system that warns him the watch is a fake. I will produce a scan of this correspondence and other Gilles gems when we devote an entire post to him, so the ten thousand people who access these pages every month can make up their own minds about the bona fides of said Colin Gilles.
The watch fetched around USD 2361, and now we have another poor chump who has been sold a lemon.
The lesson....never bid on any item offered by ecosse-watches or deal with Colin Gillies
330211711609 - Fake case and dial
230223747333 - Franken with a wierd dial
140207784292 - Franken Seamaster turned into a Connie
200200143784 - Claims original dial: It isnt, its a badly refinished one
270212563730 - Convince me that this dial didnt come out of a solid rose gold or capped 504. The rare black dialled models usually had the same case metal colour as the markers and
in a different case number. But, there could be exceptions.
270212617228 - Franken in a Seamaster case
320217384196 - Franken
This is just a random sample. Enough reason for research and care before you take the plunge eh?
