Vintage Constellation?

[dsio]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Dsio - your vintage Constellation looks like what I'm after: pie pan dial, steel, arrow markers, BOR bracelet (hope I'm using the terms correctly).

In a condition as good as yours, what might I expect to pay?

All up I paid $1,100 for the watch, bracelet, and a regulation to get it back within COSC specs, but I think I got a pretty good deal on it.

BTW in spite of it being SS, it has a real gold Observatory medallion on the back, not a SS impression of one.

While you're making up your mind, have a long look through Desmond's (Monodec) site: http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/ He's got more detail on that than you would expect, including buyer's guides.

There's a PDF on the observatory logos where you can see what mine looks like (SS with a gold medallion set in, much like many modern JLC's). http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//Co...medallions.pdf and there are SO many good resources and guides along the right hand side of that blogspot site, you should read as much as you can before making your choice.

BTW, if you ever feel like going for an all gold, they made some amazing 18k models on these "brickwork" bracelets that look simply amazing:

http://www.watchgallery.com.au/Watch...rose-gold.aspx

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4O3UarErN...xe+cal+561.jpg

[dsio]

BTW, my dial isn't perfect, it has a champaign patina to it with a hint of discolouration near 3:00, but it is fully original, signed crystal, original octagonal crown, original dial and hands, and while you can get replacement parts including dials, I like the look the metallic gold colour gives.

If you look VERY closely at the last picture, you can see the Omega symbol Ω etched into the crystal right over the center where the hands converge. Just an interesting little detail

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by dsio

All up I paid $1,100 for the watch, bracelet, and a regulation to get it back within COSC specs, but I think I got a pretty good deal on it.

BTW in spite of it being SS, it has a real gold Observatory medallion on the back, not a SS impression of one.

While you're making up your mind, have a long look through Desmond's (Monodec) site: http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/ He's got more detail on that than you would expect, including buyer's guides.

There's a PDF on the observatory logos where you can see what mine looks like (SS with a gold medallion set in, much like many modern JLC's). http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//Co...medallions.pdf and there are SO many good resources and guides along the right hand side of that blogspot site, you should read as much as you can before making your choice.

BTW, if you ever feel like going for an all gold, they made some amazing 18k models on these "brickwork" bracelets that look simply amazing:

http://www.watchgallery.com.au/Watch...rose-gold.aspx

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4O3UarErN...xe+cal+561.jpg

Ashley, terrific information - also thoroughly answers my question about the differences in the observatory emblem on the case backs. Whew - you have a good-looking watch.

Desmond, your blog is a treasure!

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Is that yours? Beautiful! Does it have the Seamaster emblem on the back?

Yes, it does!

[Lisa]

Loving that Seamaster case emblem.

Can anyone share some of the differences between the vintage Seamaster and Constellation?

[TimeToGo]

Here is another one..

[dsio]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Loving that Seamaster case emblem.

Can anyone share some of the differences between the vintage Seamaster and Constellation?

Without being an expert, IIRC the Seamasters share many of the same movements and cases, but with different dials, and I believe (though not certain by any means) that the Seamasters were meant to be an entry point into a nice dress watch with a quality movement and water resistance while the Constellation was a more high end, chronometer rated dress watch (all the Connie's I've seen are COSC rated, though Desmond could tell you more definitively) I've not seen a vintage Seamaster with Chronometer markings on the dial (but once again, only talking a small sample here).

From a collect-ability standpoint it tends to roughly go:

Seamaster --> Constellation --> Pie-Pan Constellation

I believe there were some reports of people putting Pie-Pan or Constellation dials on Seamaster's to increase their value, which is a bit of a concern.

That said, there are some non Pie-Pans that look absolutely amazing, like the one in the post above, that dial with the white and gold is stunning!

[ray_g]

Too bad I just sold these two a few weeks ago, Lisa. The Connie I was even the original owner of. The vintage Omegas are lovely watches that, dare I say, during their time, were prized more highly than the Datejusts, with the movements that made the name for Omega. Good luck with your search.

[Lisa]

Ray, thank you for the beautiful photos. The Seamaster looks like late 1950s vintage... I really like the "BOR" bracelet, too. I imagine it would be much more comfortable than the oyster bracelet on my old Date (that discomfort took away from my enjoyment of the watch - little did I know how important a comfortable strap would be).

[Andy B]

Hello Lisa,

I have been reading your thread and I think that you are definately right to want to hunt down a Constellation to have in your collection. They are fantastic watches in almost every way and have air of uniqueness in their styling that sets them apart from all others, especially the examples from the 50's and 60's. I totally agree with your thughts on the observatory on the back too, in this way they are similar to some of the longines watches of the time. It's these details along with the angular cases, the perfect symetry of the dial designs, the solitary star, the octagonal crowns, the chronometer certified automatic movements that charaterize these pieces as embodying all the very best aspects of the craft of watchmaking of that era. Even the name "Constellation" evokes the true spirit of the origins of time keeping. Beauty, science, detail, and undiluted class, a perfect blend. There is no other watch that binds all these concepts together so perfectly. The 34mm case is also ideal to allow its presence to be understated and will great on a womans wrist. Am I going over the top? Maybe.
Anyway, take your time and don't try and get one on the cheap. Go for the best example you can find, it will pay you back over time. Having said this though, even a really good example shouldn't take you too far in to Vintage Rolex Oyster territory. Make sure you guard against over polishing that gives a melted look to the beveled cases and obsevatory, refinished dials and wrong movements. In my opinion, all original pieces are worth holding out for. Ask as much advice from the forum as you can and I hope it won't be too long before you have something to show.
Good luck.

[PriscillaT]

Hello everybody,

I enjoyed reading this topic especially about the constellation. My grandfather left me one. What do you think of it? Any comments woulod be appreciated! http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/...Constellation/

[mondodec]

Your Connie is an 18k very early model with the calibre 352 RG movement. Guilloche dial has been refinished (not quite to original look) but still very nice.

There were less than 5000 352 model 2648s produced, probably more like 3000.

Beautiful heirloom watch to be serviced regularly and treasured :)

Cheers

desmond

Originally Posted by PriscillaT

Hello everybody,

I enjoyed reading this topic especially about the constellation. My grandfather left me one. What do you think of it? Any comments woulod be appreciated! http://s1113.photobucket.com/albums/...Constellation/

[PriscillaT]

Thank you Desmond! Pretty good information :)