The Best Value for Money Constellation?


I receive numerous emails from Omega fans asking me what is the best buy or best value for money vintage Constellation on the market today. My answer is always equivocal because I believe that Constellations of the 1950s and 1960s have still not arrived at their real value.  

My yardstick is the calibre 1570 Rolex (a mighty movement almost on par, in my opinion, with the calibre 561 Constellation) 

Despite the Rolex hype, a stainless steel Rolex calibre 1570 with stainless bracelet can be had for around the 1700 - 2000 mark (and sometimes a little less). To me, that is the benchmark for a stainless steel calibre 561 Constellation in excellent condition with original dial. And yet we don't see Connies of this ilk selling for those prices on electronic markets, but we do see them at that price in bricks and mortar establishments. So, my first answer is that calibres 551 and 561 in excellent condition with original dials still haven't found their relative price point and still offer good value.

That having been said, there is a cousin of the calibre 551/561 that I think is substantially undervalued and that is the calibre 751. The 751 has all the pedigree of the 551 and 561 models but with added date. It is a blood brother, argubly, of the best family of production movements ever made.

I still see good examples of this calibre in a range of cases going for under $500.00 US dollars. The first ever, and patented, integrated bracelet model 368.0845 with white gold bezel and stainless case and bracelet (as pictured above) can still be sourced for as little as $450 and up to $600 for a very good example with original brushed finish.

The 751 is a good 'entry' model, particularly for those who hanker for the more chunky models of the late 1960s.

So, while, I will continue to equivocate about the best VFM Connie, I think that collectors who acquire a good example of the 368.0845 are getting exceptional value.  

31 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:42 pm

    Hello mate

    Another excellent article!
    My only complaint is that there aren't enough articles! :)

    I dont suppose you could do some articles about the Speedmaster or something? I have given up trying to find a decent Pie Pan as 1) the price has gone through the roof and 2) im scared of buying a frankenwatch

    Or maybe you could recommend a "buy of the week" or something as well? :)

    Regards and thanks again for the informative articles

    Chris aka Uhrkollektor

    ReplyDelete
  2. Phew! Chris, and I thought I was doing alright in the article department :)

    Chuck Maddox was the Speedmaster Meister and all of his articles are now preserved on the Zowie site. Click on the Maddox link on the RH links column and theres a heap of material.

    Trouble with recommending a 'Buy of the Week' is that it would push prices up.

    But knowledge is power in collecting watches. Don't be scared off buying a Connie. There are all the resources you'll ever need on this site to make an astute purchase :) I guess that in some ways I might be responsible for some of the Franken-fear, but a little fear is always good in watch collecting as that makes us do our homework to get the real McCoy.

    Connies arent the only subjects for Frankens: early speedmasters up to cal 861, Seamaster 300s and Ploprofs, Railmasters, etc are just a few amongst all the major brands that get well and truly Frankened.

    I think prices will moderate a little more over the next 12 months as the price of oil and a slowdown of other non-US western economies has an impact on confidence.

    But every now and then some good Connies crop up.

    Good luck in your search

    Regards

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7:54 pm

    Hi Desmond

    Nah you are doing a great job with the articles, but to an avid collector / reader, there are never enough articles :)

    I will check out the Speedmaster link you mentioned, and thanks.

    Also i see your point about pushing up the prices, I hadnt thought of that.

    I guess I just happen to like the watches that are going to be faked: i.e. the Speedmaster, Connie Pie Pan, Railmaster, that really nice Omega with the 3 dials (chronograph) that I could never afford, Longines Admiral, Gruen Curvex, Breitlings....arrgghhh - I think i just like that classic clean look

    I think I will just stay off the "bay" and buy from AD's or reputable retail outlets

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. By the way, you provoked me into creating a Blogger username :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, now you'll have to start blogging eh?

    :) Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous2:34 am

    Hi,Fake or authentic?
    ebay
    150287910449
    thank you

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm leaning towards so-so authentic, although the stamping on the rotor bridge concerns me - seems to be engraved. Box I believe may not be correct as these plastic boxes came out a little later. Unless the watch was sold long after manufacture. Crown is incorrect and I incline towards the dial having been refinished (fails MOY test) Some idiot has left a thumb print on the rotor which if not cleaned will cause corrosion.

    So overall authenticish with a refinished dial is my call.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous4:49 pm

    Hi,ebay
    280257851509 fake or authentic?
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1:05 am

    Hello,Original or not?
    ebay
    280257851509
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi I think the dial on this listing is refinished

    The rotor bridge does not have the correct 'Adusted to five (5) positions and temperature on it - so this may well be a swap.

    Inauthentic because of incorrect rotor bridge at least.

    Sorry I have only now got to your posting.
    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello dude! as per your answer I agree with you. I like your blog post. Generally the best value for money constellation is to buy collection of omega constellation watches. but i also equivocal because i also believe. Regards and thanks for giving information.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Desmond, I just found one of this constellations in regular condition. But what makes me stay out of it is that I can't figure out how to put a strap on it, because the original bracelet is in bad condition and very ugly.

    What do you recommend my friend?

    Thanks again for your help and best regards

    Fernando (Gothian)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Fernando

    Have you got a pic of the watch?

    Might be useful to determine of the watch looks ok with a leather strap.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't have a pic, but it looks almost exactly like the one on the pic of the article, but in stainless steel.

    The problem really is that this watch has a very unusual shape in the lungs, and I don't know how could I put a trap in it. I've never seen a strap for this kind of watch.

    Fernando

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ah right - wasnt sure which case you were referring to.

    These models are a special integrated bracelet model and would require major modification to take a leather strap. The only optiion is either to try and restore the bracelet or try Otto Frei and do a search for a similar bracelet by keying in the case number.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  16. hello Desmond,

    Your efforts are appreciated and i've spent the past few nights going through the essays, even the 20-page piece on the Swiss meltdown

    i like the look of these integrated bracelet Constellations...so i went looking on eBay and found this 17-jewel unadjusted 'Conny':

    http://preview.tinyurl.com/yzkdakk

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for your comments John.

    The watch you point to though is one of the 1xxx series calibres and while that watch is cosmetically ok and has the dial refinished the movemenbt leaves much to be desired.

    I would recommend that you consider only going for the cal 751 version as the movement is more robust.

    Cheers

    desmond

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous12:28 pm

    Hi,

    This site is great!

    I have a confession. I'm getting out of my current watches to get a telescope and a piano. (Long story)

    My collection includes a Constellation similar to what you have listed but a slightly different case.

    My question is:
    What do I have? Is this a 751?
    Do you recommend Ebay or a site such as Timezone?

    Here it is...

    http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i110/racerken/Watches/IMG_0385.jpg

    http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i110/racerken/Watches/IMG_0388.jpg

    http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i110/racerken/Watches/IMG_0386.jpg

    http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i110/racerken/Watches/IMG_0387.jpg


    Thanks,

    Ken

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Ken

    Yes, yours is a cal751 C-Shape with Knurled Bezel.

    Email me and I can provide further information - just click on the about me link and click on email.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Mr Desmond,
    Today is a lucky day when I found you on google. I heard a lot of your know ledge about omega watch. I ask you give me some informations about this watch below:

    http://phomuaban.vn/index.php?mod=detail&cat=811&sub=836&storeid=47042&id=313418

    The buyer (my friend ) make sure this is an original watch form : dial, case,... but I was not believe because I did not see "swiss made" below 6 o'clock. By the way you gave me the year that what made.

    Hope to hear from you soon!
    Thanks and best regards,
    Phuoc (from Vietnam)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Phuoc

    Very difficult for me to tell as the pictures are not very clear. Could be a refinished dial.

    Swiss Made should be printed under six 0'clock. I am not sure if the Swiss Made has been obscured by the crystal or the crystal ring. But if there is no Swiss Made on the dial then the chances are it has been refinished.

    If you click on 'about me' you will see an email button. If you like you could send a clear piucture of the dial, and I will examine it.

    Regards

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous12:07 pm

    Hi Desmond,

    What are your views on this particular listing?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may have forgotten to add the link

      Delete
  23. Anonymous1:57 am

    So sorry for that!

    Here is the link!

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/140725951651?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1204

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:09 am

      Very tidy looking 168.025 monocoque case. Dial looks original and case is nice and sharp. Crown looks a bit small, but that is minor.

      It will probably need a service as these movements need cleaning and oiling every 3-5 years. Movement is accessed through the crystal.

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:37 pm

      Thanks for the quick replies Desmond!

      I managed to win the bid although I think I might have over paid!

      Nonetheless thanks for your help without which I would never have had the confidence to pull the trigger!

      Delete
  24. No, for 685.00 for a cal 564 and pie pan movement, I think you did extremely well. Have seen these go for up to 300 more during spirited bidding.

    Cheers

    D

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous12:05 am

    Hi Desmond,

    I was curious of your views of the attached listing. I had not seen a face with the "T" character bracketing the "Swiss Made" at the bottom of the face. The case back interior does not appear to have any service marks. Would this be typical for a watch that is in apparently in such fine shape, or are some of the parts, such as the case back, likely not original?

    Cheers!

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/200749268623?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's a bad refinishing job on the dial. The T Swiss Made T is incorrectly position as the Ts are usually more distant. The star also obliterates a bit of the Constellation lettering.

      I think the case, though, is in very fine shape and indicates not a lot of wear. IT even has the fine black polished chamfer separating the case top from sides.

      Movement looks clean; a couple of spots of rust on the micrometer; watch has been recently cleaned and oiled (claimed) so, basically, my view in that it's a real pity about the dial job, otherwise probably a good buy.

      Delete
  26. I bought myself one (quite overpriced) with a Dutch day...I simply love it. I don't mind paying a bit more (and I even had a discount) for a vintage 751 in a very good shape. I consider the amount payed more an investment to keep wearing it until it gets that value. I think everyone should wear their beloved watch all the time...and the good thing about Omega...one can...because repairs are affordable.
    Here a clip of my 2 vintage Omega's in the winder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLlu03MyBeI&feature=c4-overview&list=UUvyrm3d8Z68djs3Ep1eTX1Q
    A pictures of the watch: http://www.catawiki.com/catalog/watches/brands/omega/4294095-omega-constellation-dutch-day

    ReplyDelete
  27. Nice video!

    Regards

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete