zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

This is an interesting one CajunMike and I would respectfully beg to differ - IMO it looks like a 168.0019 watch head with correct Milanese bracelet with machined lines. The #1 is an add-on.

The more I look at the dial ( an 18k silky guilloche dial) the more I think someone has got to it with a corrosive cleaner. These dials had a thin lacquer applied after the lettering was embossed, and sun damage could cause the lacquer to craze. In looking at the closeups of the script it passes the MOY test and the Connie lettering is IMO correct. I think the lettering has bled because some botch-up merchant has tried to 'refresh' the dial and used a petroleum-based or non water based solvent.

The crown is a rolled gold one and not correct for this model (18k being the standard). The baton hands are the correct shape but have been painted to match the onyx inserts and so have probably been 'cleaned' of their original black paint and repainted or are ring-ins.

These watches with bracelet weight around 4 ounces plus in total....and so I would say there's around two plus ounces of gold in this mother. Hate to see it scrapped, as with a good Kirk Rich redial and a light brush finishing to bring the surfaces back to original specs it could be worth a couple of thou.

I did an essay on the C-Shapes recently at http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2008/12/constellation-c-shape-omegas-child-of.html

Happy New Year

Desmond

: : Could you folks please school me on this vintage omega? It
: has a

: Not sure the ref# of this one, but the dial has been very
: poorly refinished, the bracelet appears to be gold plated, not
: gold, and the hands have been painted black. Im guessing that
: the value is pretty much limited to the watch as parts or gold
: content, and not as much as a whole watch due to the condition
: and customization. Not sure the value of gold these days but I
: would say Max $600 if the bracelet is all gold, not plated or
: filled, which seems unlikely. As for the watch value, maybe $200
: as a project watch if the movement is in decent condition. It
: will need a dial refinish and some case work. If gold plated, I
: don't think that the bracelet is worth refurbishing.