Just when I thought our good Doktor Frankenwatches had run out of their supply of faked dial and cased piepan Constellations, up pops another crop.
Take a look at this picture closely. The dial purports to be an original pie pan, but a closer examination reveals its a fake. Note the uppercase script and how it fails the MOY test (The cross hair line should run through through the first chevron in the M in automatic through the middle of the O in chronometer and a fraction to the right of the y in offically) The Constellation script under the star is wrong and (thank heavens) they forgot to dot their 'i' !
The hands are wrong for this watch as they should just overreach the minute indices. The double T on either side of Swiss Made is incorrect as that indicates lumed hands and markers, and of course there is no luminous material at all applied to the dial. The date surround is incorrect and does not featured the style of faceting on anoriginal dial.
The case bezel is wrong, but the most tell-tale sign of this fake case is the incomplete chamfering where the side lugs meet the lug tops. And of course the crown is wrong for this model.
These fake cases are coming from China and of course we all know the Chinese connection to Singapore. I suspect that the reason why the inner case back is not shown on this auction (run by Timescube) is because , again, it will reveal deficiencies and probably have possibly the incorrect case number 167.005 engraved .
Timescube claims the watch is a mint Omega Constellation - it is not. Timescube claims the case, dial and case back are Omega - they are not. Timescube guarantees all their watches are authenic - this is not!
I challenge Timecube to act to preserve its 100% feedback by removing this abomination from auction!
Other Singaporean sellers have also got their hands on these fake cases and have listed them recently for auction. My advice is treat all stainless steel cases with the case numbers 167.005 and 168.005 coming from Singapore as suspicious.
Desmond,
ReplyDeleteTake a look at this E bay auction. Looks like the same watch but without the cross hair on the dial.
250287741737
Stephen Fredrick
Hi Stephen
ReplyDeleteYes that's a frankendog if there ever was one. Diasl is correct but refinished - rusted hands are incorrect. Case 168.017 belongs to a C-Shape Connie and the movement looks decidedly dicky eh?
Cheers
desmond
Hi Desmond
ReplyDeleteI think we may have another frankenwatch on eBay UK; item No. 250295225620. After reading your articles I'm convinced it's been cobbled together! Wrong movement, incorrect markings on the dial, the case isn't quite right, and also the case back looks just like the fake in your article. I've also compared it to my genuine 1963 SS 168.005 c561 Pie Pan Constellation which is completely original, and that one just doesn't look right.
What do you think?
Regards
Paul
Yes, youre right Paul this is a Friggin' Franken Fake!
ReplyDeleteThe case is one of the earlier fake 14900 SC 61s...notice the lack of chamfering on the upper side of the lugs and if I'm not mistaken it has a fake dial with no dot over the i in Constellation.
I find it curious that this seller has not allowed enlarged pics. They would of course reveal much more eh?
Notice also how the inner case back has been 'aged' with some scratches and a couple of fake watchmaker repair marks.
You're right about cal 565 never having powered Connies and I dont for one moment believe that its only the train bridge that has been replaced.
Let's hope no-body is fooled. You may like to advise the seller. Methinks if they dont remove then they dont deserve 100 feedback any more eh?
Cheers
desmond
Hi Desmond
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply and comfirmation that it's a fake. I had already sent the seller a messgage on Tuesday evening, pointing out why the watch may be a fake, and giving him the address of your pages here to confirm the details.
He hasn't responded!
I might try again, advising him that a Constellation specialist has confirmed my opinion.
Regards
Paul
Hi Paul
ReplyDeleteHmm yes, I have a suspicion that seller may choose to ignore correspondence....after all, with such hype on the listing, it's a big backdown to perform.
All I can say to Connie lovers who access these pages is 100 percent feedback is nothing until really put to the test, and so far, WEST-SUSSEX-WATCHES has failed the test. The wholesale value of this Franken Fake is the value of the cal 565 movement ( around 100 pounds) and no amount of spin can change that fact.
Cheers
Desmond
Hello,Super Mickey Mouse!!!!
ReplyDeleteebay 300262770839
Case industries Brasil !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes this is a frankenwatch, although the case could be a 'licensed' Brazilian case as the markings seem to suggest its authentic for Brazilian Omegas of that period.
ReplyDeleteThe train bridge mentions cal 565 and the rotor bridge does not have the correct 'adjusted' markings. No cal 565s ever powered Connies, so we either have a swapped movement or at least a 'bitsa' here.
Cheers
Desmond
Hi,
ReplyDeleteItem 270325035565 in eBay UK seems to be another case of fake
Hi Kari
ReplyDeleteWell its certainly a Franken watch. NOt sure about the case or dial because large pics are not available, but the lugs appear to have the tell-tale lack of top chamfer/facet that separates upper from side lug.
The dial is not an original from the period. It fails the MOY test and the uppercase script looks decidedly dodgy.
But the rotor bridge is incorrect and the train bridge shows calibre 552 which is not a chronometer.
I would recommend this seller is avoided at all costs.
Hi Desmond , would it be possible to pick your brain and acquire your invaluable advice/opinion regarding this item listed on ebay item number 165549056173, as a total novice it looks legit to me , however there are one or two aspects I can not make out from the pictures , your opinion would be very much appreciated very grateful thanks, tony
ReplyDeleteSorry Tony but when I copy and paste that number into eBay search it come up with 'no matches found' Better to copy and paste the link.
DeleteCheers
Desmond
Hi Desmond , thanks for the fast response and advice regarding the link , hope this helps https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165549056173?hash=item268b7e20ad:g:mBsAAOSwRgpitOOB, look forward to reading your response, kind regards tony
ReplyDeleteHi Tony,
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do, don't touch this watch. It is a complete frakenfake: fake case, fake dial, wrong movement (should be caliber 561 or 564)
Cheers
Desmond
Thanks very much Desmond for taking the time to look , appreciated, and thank you for the fantastic website regards tony
ReplyDelete