Buffing Out Hesalite Crystal Scratches

Omega Constellations of the 1950s and 60s generally featured crystals made from Hesalite, a proprietary brand of fine acrylic crystal. Hesalite is still used in preference to mineral crystal on some watches today. While saphire crystals are less likely to scratch, they shatter into tiny fragments and this can be hazardous in some environments.

Hesalite is much more prone to scratching and over the years collectors and watchmakers have come up with a bevy of home and professional remedies to buff out the scratches. Below is a sample of some of the more common techniques.

• A Fact Sheet that explains the different materials crystal are made from.
• CWR Horological pages. Good resource that includes advice about polishing crystals
• A CR4 thread, covering some interesting ways of cleaning and refurbishing
• A site offering an anti scratch cold dip formula that is claimed to create a hard optical surface that resists scratching
• An offroad thread that advocates using car polish to buff out scratches
• A Watch Report thread advocating toothpaste
• A branded polishing kit available on line
  

If you have perfected, or know of, a successful technique not mentioned here, let me know and I'll add it to the list.

A Poor Man's Watch Pages

Reto Castellazzi is the originator of "Poor Man's" Watch Forum which has been running since December 2001. He also sells watches, some parts and watchmakers tools.

Reto is one of a number of collectors who are very generous in sharing information, and his RWC pages contain a mine of detail about minor and major watchmaking projects. From how to refurbish fine grained bracelets to changing a battery in a Patek, you'll find these pages interesting and informative.

Click here to see his pages.

Chequer-themed Formula One dials on Omega Constellations have long been a subject of discussion, with some collectors arguing that they rightly belong to the dial livery of OMega Chronostops.

Ive seen a handful of these dials, Usually sitting atop a calibre 564 movement housed in a 168.018 case.

I am still not convinced that Formular 1 dials are authentic in OMega Constellations. Click here to take a look at some pictures of two examples. What do you think?

There are a number of differences, but pay attention to the A lettering and do a MOY test.

Love to hear your comments.

In Memory of Chuck Maddox

Chuck Maddox was a giant of the on-line watch community: knowledgeable, articulate, witty, intelligent, entertainingly contrary at times but always big-hearted and unselfish with his time.

He helped an inestimable number of people follow their collecting dreams, and with philanthropic zeal he worked over many years with a number of committed watch aficionados to 'put the knowledge out there". (See Chuck's Wally Schirra Interview here)

His untimely death at the age of 46 has shaken the on-line community, clearly demonstrated by the outpouring of sentiment on major forums. The world of vintage horology has lost one of its shining stars.

Chuck was insatiably curious and this drove him to make numerous discoveries that benefited us all. But who was Chuck Maddox? Few of us really know. Click on the following links, firstly about his interest in watches, secondly, to hear how Chuck viewed his own journey through life, and thirdly, to read the words of a friend:

A conversation with Chuck about watches Part 1

A conversation with chuck about watches Part 2

Chuck's CV

A friend remembers

Counterfeit Stainless Steel Constellations

Vintage solid gold Omega Constellations aren't the only models to attract the attention of Vietnamese and Chinese counterfeiters.

With sharp stainless steel Piepan Connies attracting high demand and comparatively high dollars, our enterprising oriental brothers have been churning out fake cases and dials of varying degrees of faithfulness to the originals.

Click here for a short essay on how to tell the fakes from the real McCoys.

As Omega vintage watches become scarcer and more collectible and pristine examples become rarer, the market will increasingly come to accept and perhaps even celebrate the 'character' watch.

In fact, I know of several collectors who collect Constellations and other Omega models specifically for their rare or unique patina.

It's case and dial patina that gives a watch character. Some watches have it and some don't. Those that don't would probably make good candidates for refinishing and those that do will probably attract both attention and greater price appreciation over time.

Click here for an essay on making the distinctions between a 'character' watch and those poor old things that need tender loving care.