My Birthyear Grail is Here!
I have always admired the pie pan dials of the early 60's Omegas, particularly the gold dial with no date window. More recently I have been looking for a 1962 vintage to commemorate my birth year and maybe, subconsciously make it harder to achieve, or console myself that it was not to be. (LOL). This beauty the hubby spotted on eBay and we won the bid for a really reasonable amount... which thrilled and scared me. Literally - no competing bids. So we selected to use the Authenticator service for an additional $80.
It did add a few days to the delivery time, but it was worth the wait. A 3rd party watch expert received the watch and reviewed it against the listing for accuracy. It arrived via Fed Ex and we had to sign to receive. The box had a security seal and inside was a beautiful blue suede presentation box from eBay. The watch also had a security tag across the caseback. Also inside were some items explaining the authentication service, warning us that they do not recommend getting a vintage watch wet and also indicating they did not measure the time accuracy - just that it was running. They authenticated the 551 movement, case and crystal as authentic Omega and the strap as an after market, not original Omega. They provided a dated, certificate of their authentication. All in all, money well spent!
The watch is prettier in person than the photos capture. Someone took good care of this 62 year old beauty. No pitting on the case or caseback and the dial is in fine vintage shape. No signs of water damage or staining. The crown is not original, those 10 sided crowns were routinely replaced at servicing and later discontinued from production. The crown appears to be the normal replacement model.
The watch keeps accurate time. We put it on the timekeeper and it runs a smidge fast, but no significant beat errors!
I am thrilled to cross this one off the list and can't wait to shop for straps.
Always loved watches. Married a guy who also loves watches and does repair work... so I get to see and wear alot of great stuff. He buys things and somehow they never get sold....
Awesome Omega! Love the old pie pan Constellation models. Also, glad it was a good experience in purchasing. Enjoy and wear in good health!
Grail level perfection 😍👏🏻👏🏻
That‘s a stunner 😍
Wear it in good health 🙏
Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your buying experience. Birth year watches feel special 👌
Very nice. I agree that the no date version is best with that dial.
A transaction done properly, by both sides. 👏
I believe WC member, Per @YourIntruder , is a real fan of these if I recall correctly.
Congratulations! What a beautiful watch!
Beautiful watch! I’ve been thinking about doing the same thing and finding a nice birth year watch. I need one a year older than yours!
Thanks for sharing. It’s wonderful! And I was unaware of eBay’s Authenticator service. Great info. 👍🏻
Congratulation to your find! Great looking Pie Pan. 167.005 I assume. Thank you for sharing your eBay experience. Never dared to use that channel yet but your story make me come closer.
The original crowns are still available if you would prefer those. The downside is that they are harder to wind.
What a beautiful watch. Though I may be prejudiced. I have a steel version of the 1962 three hander. I also agree that the model without the date window is much better looking. At any rate, enjoy. They are truly beautiful watches. I've never seen a gold one, and yours is a stunner.
Wow, such a wonderful wonderful watch.
beautiful! this is my favorite of all the constellations. good choice!
A beautiful watch! Thanks for sharing the purchase process, very helpful as I ponder whether to go for a birth year watch myself 🙏
Congratulation to your find! Great looking Pie Pan. 167.005 I assume. Thank you for sharing your eBay experience. Never dared to use that channel yet but your story make me come closer.
The original crowns are still available if you would prefer those. The downside is that they are harder to wind.
Yes, it is the 167.005! The serial # confirms 1962 production year.
Congrats, nice. I just purchased a birth year watch yesterday. Not to this level but this is nice
Congrats, wonderfull piece👍
V glad that you are delighted and look forward to seeing the strap choices. Also always nice to see watches land where they are valued and appreciated - enjoy!
Beautiful watch and 1962 is my birth year as well 🤓
Interesting back story about eBay authentication service. Thanks for sharing
Late 50s to early 60s are the bee's knees! My grail as well. CONGRATS!
It's hard to imagine that it looks bettee in person because the photos are already gorgeous! Congrats on the pickup! I love this model, the dial, gold case, and those lugs are a perfect match. It's not a bad strap combo either!