Greetings folks! I’ve just recently been introduced to the wonderful world of Omega watches, and your fine forum here. Well, a couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a beautiful looking Speedmaster at a local flea market which was offered at the reasonable cost of $80.00. I wasn’t gullible enough to think that it was authentic with any high percentage of certainty, but it sure looked good to my amateur eyes. Long story short, it turned out to be a pretty high quality Japanese replica. The good news is that a local used watch dealer was trying to sell a nice looking 1966 Constellation which was in non-functioning condition, and he was so enamored with my knock-off Speedmaster, that he agreed to trade me the busted Constellation for the replica Speedmaster along with $100.00. Why he just didn’t have the Constellation serviced himself, and why he seemed to think the Constellation had little value because it was an “old” watch, I have no idea, but I find the vintage look, well, beautiful, and I was thrilled to make the trade. Anyhow, the Constellation is now in for service, and I should have it on my wrist in a week or two, so I was wondering if you kind folks could answer a few quick questions for me. Firstly, how much does the movement need to be wound? It’s a 561 automatic, and when I attempted to wind the watch in its busted state, it sort of wound a bit, and then it sounded like the tension on the spring was released with a whirring sound. When I have the watch back in good shape, should it be wound until the crown will no longer turn? Also, does the 561 movement have a hacking second hand? I suspect it doesn’t, but is there a point to having a watch that’s an official chronometer, when you can’t even set the second hand? Thanks very much in advance for any help! Joe
