Rising Demand for Vintage Omega Constellations


Over the past three years values for pie pan Omega Constellations and other notable Omega vintage watches have increased by up to fifty percent, particularly 18k gold models.  On the supply side of the equation, there is a sizeable world inventory of Constellations from the nineteen sixties, particularly in the middle to bottom ends in terms of condition, however the availability of top quality examples that meet factory specifications fully is not so fluid and big premiums are being paid for sharp examples with original case finish and dials.

Where is the demand coming from?  Certainly not the U.S. and Europe where demand for new luxury watches has fallen.  The clamour for both new and vintage Omegas is coming from the emergent Asian economies, particularly China. 

As brand awareness and support for new Omega product increases, it follows that a knock-on effect will be felt in the vintage market, and nowhere has Omega brand awareness increased more than it has in China.  In a survey published in December, the Digital Luxury group revealed that two models in the Omega stable, the Constellation and the De Ville, had achieved a whopping thirty-three percent market visibility in the luxury sector. (See pie chart below).


With that kind of market penetration it is little wonder that good quality Omega vintage stock has risen significantly in value across the board. As the Chinese middle class grows and becomes more sophisticated in its use of discretionary income, we can expect a similar love affair with both new and vintage timepieces as that seen in sophisticated economies such as Taiwan and Japan.  So, if a top condition pie pan Constellation or other iconic vintage Omega watch is your grail, don’t wait too long!  

3 comments:

  1. Hi Desmond,
    Thanks for taking time to view the pics I've send. If u can enlarge the dial, I found the 11,12 and 1 marker were being glued with the side showing the slight overflow. Was wondering how to remove it...

    And the case back didn't have a factory number when the watch repair guy help to open it.

    And the amusing part is when I pulled out the crown, there is a cap that came off.

    I'm quite disappointed about all these and was wondering if you can assess it as I paid US$1250 for it.

    Think after all these that I've experienced, I rather not touch any Connies again!

    Regards
    Kelvin

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kelvin,

      Yes, I can see from the pictures you sent where the markers appear to have been dislodged and glued back again. This is a poor job, and a professional would have glued the rivet at the back of the dial rather than try to glue the markers on the dial side.

      The dial is genuine and not refinished, and apart from a few spots on the dial lacquer, is in reasonable condition. Is the overrunning glue visible when you put the watch on your wrist? If not visible, then I would not try to remove it because it has probably attached itself to the dial lacquer, and probably would take lacquer and dial paint off if an attempt to remove it was made. The other option is to take it to a reputable watchmaker in Singapore and ask him if it is possible to carefully remove the markers and re-glue them without damaging the dial. Be careful who you choose as there are good and not so good watchmakers in Singapore. Check out the local Sg watch forum for some advice on whom to choose.

      The movement looks very clean and shows no signs of interference by an amateur. The inner case back shows the model number 168.005, which is correct. Case back medallion is reasonably sharp and the case itself is in reasonable condition.

      The crown, when new, was coated with 14 karat gold plaque, or what the Americans call rolled gold. It may well be original to the watch, because many years of winding would have worn the gold down to the base metal and hence the crown has lost its cap where not worn. Ten sided crowns are no longer made and Omega recommends a round replacement crown.

      Bearing in mind the age of the watch, I would call this example to be of average condition. Not a bad example, but needing a new crown and attention to the markers. Relatively small issues, but of course big issues to one who wants a perfect example.

      If the issues were not visible in pics on the site from which you bought the watch, nor mentioned by the seller, you may like to raise a dispute if you have a mind to. There is an old adage in watch collection circles, well, two actually. One is that one buys the seller when acquiring a vintage watch and the other is that a seller is only as good as the watch s/he is selling now. So it's not so much about the brand as it it is about the person from whom you have bought the watch. Same thing happens with Rolex (even more so in many cases_) as with other iconic brands of the period.

      Here's hoping you can get some satisfaction froma local specialist. Let me know how you get on.

      Regards

      Desmond

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    2. Hi Desmond,
      You have no idea how grateful I am to have a guru like you, to answer all the uncertainties.

      When the watch is on the wrist, you can't really see the glue, unless if you use a loupe. Most likely I'll leave it..until I really can find a reputable or trustworthy watchmaker.

      As for now, I will try to see the alternatives on the crown..although I have got the cap glued back but I don't think it will last. With that I will continue checking on eBay on some possibilities or the closest I can find.

      Desmond..all I want to say now is thank you for your precious time and your expertise to verify and explain those things to me!

      Cheers
      Kelvin


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