Every now and then I update the database I developed some
years ago to register all known examples of the Omega Constellation
collection. The database covers 47 years
from 1952 and has roughly 20 percent more entries than you will find on the
Omega Vintage Database.
This year has been a fruitful year with new, hitherto unknown
models having been unearthed.
The database is organised by movement calibre and lists all
known case/model numbers for specific calibres, also detailing production years
and case metals. This allows you to confirm that a prospective or existing
purchase has the correct case for the movement.
Thanks a lot for the efforts. Love the reads and such a database is very helpful!
ReplyDeleteIt's a big work, a great database! Thank You for your job You done!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting ready to inherit a 1964 Constellation from my wife's uncle who just passed at 102. I have all records for it inc. original purchase receipt. I'm in the SE USA and would like to know where/what is best method to go about getting it serviced.
ReplyDeleteHi
DeleteIdeally, you need to source a master watchmaker, as opposed to jeweler, as near to your home base as you can make it. I would ask for the watch to be appraised, cleaned and oiled only and would stipulate as little cosmetic attention to the watch as possible. I would have the case back gasket replaced, maybe the crystal polished and then leave it.
Vintage watches are at their most valuable when they retain their originality, and so I would not have the case polished, the dial touched, or the crown replaced (If it is the original decagonal crown)
I would avoid official Omega service agencies like the plague, because they will want to send the watch to Bienne for a very expensive and not necessarily sympathetic refurbishment.
A watch needs servicing around every three to five years depending on conditions, and so it's a good idea to establish a relationship with a good watchmaker who knows his way around vintage Omegas.
Cheers
Desmond
I hope I'm not breaking any etiquette getting in on this thread. My situation is a little different in that I'm intending to bid on a watch at an auction in a week or so's time. I've only seen pictures from the auction website but it was recommended to me by knowledgeable people on Omega Forum. My intention is to find someone to do a sympathetic service if I win the bidding, just a cleaning, oiling and check on the movement. The watch is a 14381 stainless steel, lyre lug,dome dial which appears to be entirely authentic right down to the decagonal crown. Its case seems unpolished with sharp image of observatory and stars on reverse and a sharpness to all case and lugs' edges. Is my intention to bid on this item sensible or foolhardy (auctioneers are estimating £700 - £800 though I've been told it could fetch a little more)? I'm assuming the service will be around £300 and auction charges about 20% of fetching price. My first watch of any interest so I'm nervous!
DeleteSorry if I've piggy-backed on this thread!
It sounds like you have done your homework, which is always a good move with vintage watches.
DeleteIf the watch is in as good a condition as you report, I would think 7 - 800 would be a steal. Stainless steel is the preferred case amongst many collectors, and my feeling is that if there are informed collectors in the auction room the price could be bid up considerably more.
The fewer people who know about the sale in question, the better, methinks :)
Cheers
Desmond
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the database, it is really an incredible and precious work.
I found in an auction an Omega Constellation but I have the impression that the dial is not the right one (I put the link of the picture just after).
I found a lot of information thanks to your database but no Constellation with the same dial.
Several things bother me:
- the Constellation written at the top after AUTOMATIC
- the writing CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY... should be at the top after AUTOMATIC
- the absence of the star accompanying the Constellation (even if I am not sure about this point a priori it is not present on some models)
I was wondering if it was indeed a Constellation with its original dial or maybe I did not look hard enough. I can't imagine that it would be possible to have a fake watch at an auction.
Unfortunately the auction house has not sent me any more pictures yet.
So I would like to have your opinion and know what you think about it.
Thanks for your help :)
https://www.auktionshaus-zofingen.ch/a3highres-images/auktion62/bilder_import_a3/62_178-005.jpg
Yes, you are well justified in querying this watch.
DeleteThe dial is not a genuine Constellation dial, and has been refinished to a rather poor standard.
I don't know why someone would seek to put a fake dial on a genuine watch, and so I would suggest you treat the whole watch as suspect.
Pictures of movement and inner caseback may establish that everything else is okay, but still, with so many good examples still out there, why buy a dud?
Cheers
Desmond
Always replace the crown if needed, would you run a 1955 tire on a car? I have pictures of what happens to a movement when you disregard regular maintenance.
DeleteThis is a debate that has long been running, and I can see the point in advice to replace crowns to ensure as much moisture and dust resistance as possible. On occasions, if a watch is worn regularly I usually recommend a replacement crown while keeping the original aside to be re-attached at a time of sale.
DeleteIn answer to the question about the 1956 tire, I guess my response would be something along the lines of, 'Would you replace a 1956 vintage tyre rim with a modern alloy?' Some people do and, to me, unless the car is a custom fantasy, the originality of the vintage car is compromised. Same thing with vintage watches.
So my advice generally is that if you're a collector and wear a fully original watch only on occasions, then keep the decagonal crown on the watch and wear it on occasions where the weather or environment does not pose the risk of moisture or dust incursion.
In terms of regular servicing of a watch, I wholeheartedly agree that a vintage watch should be clean, oiled and regulated around every four to five years.
Cheers
Desmond
53070913 vintage omega ladies 18ct Gold wrist Watch with diamonds around the face bought in 1991- how do I get info on this serial number and value
ReplyDeleteI don't have much interest or data on women's watches. The best advice I can offer is a web search of images until you find similar
DeleteCheers
Desmond
Hi there, great source of info! Must of taken years to compile. Thanks for sharing. I am looking for info as I have a pink gold constellation, that I can’t seem to find on the database. I thought it was from 1958, solid pink gold with a 505 movement, it has gold arrow head markers https://omegaforums.net/attachments/image-jpg.1287511/
ReplyDeleteAny info greatly appreciated thanks
Stu
Hi Stu,
DeleteLooks like a nice honest 2852 model to me. The picture doesn't show the bezel very well and the lugs have some wear, but, to me, it's kosher.
We could debate the crown, but if it's solid gold and not plate, then it may have come with the watch or been a later replacement.
Not all metals are mentioned on the database, although 2852 came in all metals including white gold, so pink gold is not an issue either.
Hope that helps
Cheers
Desmond
Hello . I have a constellation from my father.(bought around 1955 in marocco)
ReplyDeleteFull gold 18k
Number 11003663 and model 2648
Inside is a cal 351
I didnt see cal 351 in your database.. have you an idea about it ?
I can show you photos.
Thanks
Jean pierre. Paris
Hi Jean Pierre,
DeleteThe designated calibres for the model 2648 are 352 and later 354. The calibre 351 was a non-chronometre movement and was usually found in Seamaster models.
I can't explain how a cal 351 fund its way into your father's watch. Perhaps the movement was damaged in some way and your father's watchmaker suggested replacing the movement.
It is a mystery to be sure.
Regards
Desmond
I learned a lot from your article. thank you
ReplyDeleteI have a omega constellation inherited from my father. 18 k gold with 4 diamonds and gold bracelet. I believe the ref number was16004/
ReplyDelete14 1966 or 67 model? Lost the paper work. What do you know of it?
Sounds like a jewellery version of the 168.004 or the 014. You didn't mention if it was gold gold or white gold as it came in both. The 168.014 was the DeLuxe version of the watch and had a solid gold dial of the same colour as the case. Difficult to identify the precise model unless I see pictures of it.
DeleteIf you're keen to date the watch you will need to access the movement serial number and that will indicate approximate production year.
Diamonds may or may not be factory set, as it depends on what was done with the watch when purchased.
Diamond dialed versions are certainly uncommon and have a following amongst certain collecting communities.
Cheers
Desmond