EBay seller kaufein24h listed a fake cased and dialled calibre 562 "solid gold" Constellation in early May. It attracted numerous bids and sold for a thousand-plus Euro before eBay took the listing down and interceded in the completion of the transaction. See the discussion thread here on eBay forum. See the thread here for a discussion on Watchuseek .

This seller has now re-listed the same watch (click here) claiming it is an Omega Constellation. The seller has been told by numerous correspondents that it is NOT. He claims in his listing that watches similar to the one shown has sold for $3500.00, which, of course, is a blatant lie. Watches similar to the one he has listed are only worth the value of the non-chronometer calibre 562 movement....in other words, this watch has value for movement parts only: the case and dial are fake.

In another part of his listing he writes "Bilder sagen mehr als Worte" (Pictures speak louder than words)....and so they do! No amount of pictures or suspect paperwork can obscure the fact that this seller is selling a Frankenfake.

Now am I "craysee" or not?

POSTSCRIPT: I'm delighted to report that our Teutonic eBay friends pulled this auction before it could do harm. Let's hope we never see the likes of it again.

14 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:57 pm

    Thanks for your informative commentary on some unscrupulous individuals who pass off fake omega connies. Can you recommend some who sell genuine connies then. Appreciate it very much as I try to look for genuine models especially the pie pan models provided they are reasonably priced. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmmm

    My philosophy is that a seller is only as good as the watch he is selling now, and hence I am reticent about recommendations.

    Of course there is the slimy underbelly of the vintage watch market who would sell aspirin as a wonder drug to their dying mothers, but sometimes the 'good guys', generally through ignorance may offer a lemon.

    So, knowledge becomes very impoertant and pre-purchase research even more so eh?

    Have a look at my links and you'll find one or two sellers that consistency sell good stuff, but even then, you need to confirm what youre buying

    regards

    Desmond

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  3. Anonymous10:16 am

    Thanks Desmond for your reply. And yes I must exercise caution when it comes to purchasing vintage watches. Caveat emptor as they say. So is it possible to enlist your expertise? I am looking at ebay.ph and this dealer (jose and sister trading is selling a connie which comes with this reference number 250256779116. I would greatly appreciate your assist on this item. Thnkas in advance.

    race

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  4. Hi - it looks ok, but the pics of dial are too samll to determine authenticity of the dial.

    My suggestion is that you use the checklist on this blog and if something appears suspect then you can seek fyrther clarification. Good luck on the hunt.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:22 am

    Thanks for the assist. I will request the seller to provide biger pics of the item so that I can determine its authenticity. Your blog has been very instrumental in guiding me as I choose the connies I plan to buy. Much obliged!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous3:10 pm

    Hi, I am currently looking at a connie using your table of verified calibres and case numbers and something seems rather strange. The calibre is 504 yet the ref. no. is 168017 which corresponds to cal. 561/564. Is this possible? Am i dealing with a franken here?

    ReplyDelete
  7. sounds very fishy indeed.

    Case 168.017 is a C-shaped case style and should have a cal 561/564 as you suggested.

    Cheers

    Desmond

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  8. Anonymous2:16 pm

    Hi! I am well pleased that your links and data have guided me well in selecting real connies. I got the photo of the first item and I must say that the dial is not well made. The omega word is not distinct and they added a T after swiis made. I was able to evade a franken this time. I am now lokking at item 360061699160 at ebay.ph and it says that it has a calibre 561 yet it has 166005 at the innner back case. Something tells me that I am still looking at something less that its worth in the auction.
    Thanks and salutations

    race

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous4:35 pm

    Forgive my persistence as I have elarned much from your essays. As I have said in may last message, is the item that is the object of our current discussion worth purchasing. Thanks and salutations.

    race

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, the case number could well be 168.005 and a bigger pic may help you decide that.

    The dial has been very poorly refinished using the wrong script style for Constellation and having broken up the cross hairs where lettering appears.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous9:20 am

    Thanks again for the heads up! Your usual concise and accurate advise has given me the impetus to wait and see how things go. If the bidding goes out of hand, I will bail out. But I will not stop the search for that elusive connnie. If you have any news or sites that offer a connie worth looking at, please feel free to inform me about it. Much obliged.

    Thnaks again and salutations.

    race

    ReplyDelete
  12. You're more than welcome!

    Good luck with your search. It really is only a matter of time before the right one comes up :)

    Cheers
    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:45 am

    Greetings Desmond! I must say that your recent articles are truly informative. So here I a again asking for your expert opinion on some items I saw at ebay. Can you look at items no. 160255340779 (seller-ng time), no. 270250512551 (seller - hoaleong) and no. 260257817575 (seller - desmond5678). Much obliged again.

    race

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi race

    I really am under the pump at the moment and cant devote the time to reviewing listings.

    My suggestion is that you use the checklist I posted and do an assessment on each watch and see where it leads.

    Sorry, but I am so time poor at the moment

    Cheers

    desmond

    ReplyDelete