Cal 352 Constellation?

As you may or may not know, I have a bit of a penchant for Omega Constellations and particularly gold ones. The latter have become very expensive of late as the value is linked to the (scrap) gold price which is a shame as it makes collecting these beautiful watches a major investment.

Recently, I’ve had my eye on this one which was progressing through the bay of thieves:

It is a ref 2652 with a 12.72million (~1952) cal 352 bumper which is rare enough but it is also 14kt gold and appears to have a lovely original dial. I watched this steadily increasing in price for several days and had in mind a maximum I would pay. - I didn’t bid as I think bidding in all but the last few minutes is a waste of time and just raises the price. However, at the last minute, I pulled out – why? Well, there were just so many things I wasn’t too happy about:

1 the case seemed to have been overpolished – the lugs should have a visible edge and they didn’t

2 the seller didn’t include a movement photo – I ask him to provide one and he said he didn’t have one. I would have thought that for such a rare beast as a cal 352, you’d want to show everything was in order – how can you tell if the movement is genuine without seeing it?

3 The bidding was being led by two individuals – when I looked into their history it appeared that the first one had made 104 bids on 28 items in the last 30 days and had a feedback of 5. The other had made 364 bids on 23 items in the last 30 days and had a feedback of 6. I’m no expert here but I was suspicious of shill bidding.

The watch eventually sold (not to one of the suspicious bidders though) for £1020 (~$1600). OK, on the one hand, I was unhappy to lose such a rare Connie and a gold one at that but on the other hand, I feel glad that I wasn’t sucked into this deal.

I’d love to know your opinions though as I'd like to put my mind at rest one way or the other - did I do the right thing or was I a fool to let this one past?.

Cheers

Andrew

It would be difficult to contemplate any online purchase . . .

By: Dr No : February 22nd, 2012-08:20

. . . without images of the movement, Andrew. I wouldn't consider buying a watch without clear macros that showed the movement number unless I knew the seller personally. Cordially, Art

You made a good decision...

By: mrsnak : February 22nd, 2012-08:42

...as one who has bought and sold quite a few up there, it's very much a minefield for Constellations and you truly need to often rely on your gut instinct. I'm sure if Desmond were around, he could point out whether or not the watch had real issues, but ...

I had no idea gold cases were being reproduced, snak. The crown . . .

By: Dr No : February 22nd, 2012-09:52

. . . looks like a modern replacement, but the case, dial, and hands all look ok to my eyes - not that that's saying much !

This one looked okay...

By: mrsnak : February 22nd, 2012-16:10

... I was more speaking of a nasty trend that is occurring these days with some solid gold (usually 18kt) cases. Should have been clear.

Everything looks OK to me...

By: gatorcpa : February 22nd, 2012-11:11

...but a refusal to show movement or inside caseback pictures is a signal to run away. Someone who won't give basic and necessary information about a watch at that price level, isn't someone I would want to do business with. The shame is that the watch is...

Not a bad price for that one

By: MSNWatch : February 22nd, 2012-15:25

I think it is reasonable to assume it is a 352 but some risk without picture. Case is polished but not as bad as you suspect - those lugs are shaped differently and are closer to centenary type lugs than the style you are referring to. Dial is nice and or...

Agree with Mike.

By: hoipolloi : February 22nd, 2012-15:36

I made a low bid on that one but did not go to the end just because I already have one 18K 2652. That one looks like a very good deal at that price.

i would have risked it

By: G99 : February 23rd, 2012-05:34

as most of my watches have been purchased from there without any problems i would have risked it. if it had not been a 352 then you could have returned it with full money refund because of paypals protection. it does amaze me how many 'dealers' dont have ...

It looks like the consensus is.........

By: aroma : February 24th, 2012-00:57

pretty evenly split then - I think that on reflection I did the right thing for me. I wouldn't have liked to risk finding something wrong with it when it arrived in the post. Thanks for the input guys - it's always good to have other people's opinions and...

Omega