Servicing Advice On Vintage Omega Constellation

[[LAY.51E]]

Hi All,

My first post on this forum - looking forward to gleaning and sharing as much info with everyone :)

I have just recently started to enjoy the intricacies of watchmaking and am becoming an avid student of watches.

I recently acquired a vintage Omega Constellation (1972 i am told but will get more details soon when i take it in for service).

Just wondering if anyone can give advice on where i should take this to get serviced in the Sydney Australia region.

I have been told that Omega actually do not service their watches in house anymore and just send it off to other experienced servicing centres in town.
If this is the case, I am considering taking it directly to one of these service centres to cull the costs. Any thoughts or advice?

Also, i will be taking photos of this watch soon to post up for all to enjoy :)

I also inherited an old Cyma which i will post details of soon

Thanks in advance guys and girls

[tkc324]

Welcome to the forum.... I am sure more experts will chime in soon. I would say that any local watch maker that has a good reputation can service your watch. I would suggest to yelp and look at reviews on line. Hope this helps.

[T5AUS]

For Sydney try Max Schweizer, Swiss trained (and I think even is Swiss) He recently serviced a Rolex for me and did a good job and was sympathetic to keeping its originality, just tell him what you do and dont want doing.

http://www.maxswisswatch.com

[Andad]

Is it an automatic or a quartz movement as this might make a difference?

[[LAY.51E]]

Hi tkc324,



Thanks - ill take some time tonite to scrawl through the forums.



I just came across the vintage database omega has - its an awesome site!

http://62.73.172.167/cu_vintage/index.php?r=main.php



I found the watch that is in question too:

http://img10.imageshack.us/i/1971constellation.gif



Ill have some photos in the next few days

[[LAY.51E]]

Sorry ppl - all my posts need to be authorised by moderators before they list them for some reason so there is a bit of a lag period between responses

It is an automatic - i want to make sure i take it to the right place and have the right things done to the watch to ensure its longevity is all...Im still green to all the detail of what goes in a service etc. so just wanting as much info as i can get.

[mondodec]

Looks like you have a C-Shape, and it may be the 168.009/17 rather than an 0039

We will only know if we see a pic of the inner case back.

Max is known as a pretty reliable watchmaker and so I would second the recommendation.

I wrote an essay on these models here

These pieces are increasing in collectibility as the prices for the Pie pans and other models of the 60s reach the premium level

Cheers

desmond

[[LAY.51E]]

Hi Desmond,

Thanks for the response...you are actually absolutely correct.
Its a good feeling uncovering more and more about this classic looking watch.


Some history behind it my watch...as i said earlier, i have just starting building an affinity with watches and after having a chat with my father, he dug up the old Constellation which my grandfather used to own.

He actually said the Constellation had a steel band but over time he replaced it with a leather band and has no idea where the steel one has gone (so despite these timepieces becoming more collectible from what you said, im sure my one is not as desired by the avid collector as it is not in its original condition - add to this some scratches on the glass and scuffs on the bezel).

Regardless of this, i have come to really love this piece...it amazes me that it has sat dormant for decades, and now that i have wound it, it is working like - well - clock work.

I would like to restore it to a better condition and go about it in the right way.
I was planning to purchase a genuine black leather band for it - but may consider the steel one now after seeing your essay.

I will take some photos before the service and after the service to see if hte exterior comes up any better.

Thanks for the tidbit of info Desmond, much appreciated...i didnt have much to go on as i hadnt opened up the watch to find the serial number.

Cheers
James

[Lol-x]

I recommend: http://www.masterwatchmaking.com.au/

I have used Max but I will not recommend him.

[[LAY.51E]]

Hi Lol-x,

Thanks for the advice, any particular reason not to go to Max?
Also - can any1 recommend things that should be or shouldnt be done to the watch during the service? any tips on what i should look out for?

[Lol-x]

Yes I had a very bad experience, watch returned with 3 small hairs sitting the dial and a ding in the case.
I've also been informed of a similar report.

[tannee]

Hi James,

Welcome to TRF....

Sorry got no idea about Omegas...just wanted to welcome you

[[LAY.51E]]

thats not good at all - i hope he compensated you somehow for the poor quality control.

I just took it to materwatchmaking and he has informed me that it would cost anywhere between AUD$500-800 to "restore"

Apparently cogs, wheels etc need to be changed - movement is touching the back? Glass and crown to be replaced.

I am wanting to keep it as original as possible...dont know how necessary changing parts in movements etc is (forgot to ask if they were going to be genuine parts)

i will go to some other watchmakers and see what they have to say.

[[LAY.51E]]

Hi tannee thanks for the welcome