Omega

i've had this 1964 561 calibre constellation for about a year, but today i received a parcel in the post. it came from HK so you could call it a chinese takeaway its a 1502 ref beads of rice bracelet which is, i believe, the correct bracelet for the watch...  

... Graham, actually on one hand i am happy to see you found the right matched bracelet for your Constellation, on the other hand, your post is enlightening or reminding me that we have always forgotten to get a matched bracelet for our watches. in all ti... 

thanks Stefan. with the constellation its pretty easy as the rice bracelet is the classic, but more difficult with other watches. i usually have leather straps like you do, but if i want a bracelet i work on the theory that if it fits and looks good thats... 

hi Graham, i think i should know and confirm the date of my trip to London by this week. tentatively, it will be likely to fall on the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June. will keep you guys posted the dates once i get the confirmation from our counterpart in UK. c... 

Now, your Connie is complete, with its original bracelet. Nicely done, my friend. Best, Nicolas

thanks Nicolas. i've been looking for a long time and was lucky that this one came up at the right price. the complete package is more than the sum of its 2 parts IMO. best Graham

Hello Graham. It looks like the hour hand is a bit too long and the minute hand a bit too short, don't you think ? Regards.

no, i think the hands are fine. the second hand is too short as it only just reached the ends of the indices, it looks like the end may have been cut off at some stage, but the hour and minute hands are correct. i have an issue with my SM30 where the hand... 

on the vintage Connies. Agree that the second hand was probably clipped. I have a Tissot someone did the same thing to. The end got bent during a poorly executed inspection or service, an the easy way way out was to clip it.

. . . that was originally posted last year. This '59 Seamaster is a family heirloom, and the two-tone bracelet is original to the watch. Unfortunately, the clasp was damaged shortly after this photo was taken, and he just sent the watch to Bienne for serv...  

shame to hear it cant be repaired as it looks really good. my first Omega was a 2 tone with bracelet similar to a rice bead, but a bit later with a 565 calibre inside. i wish i'd kept it, but there will be others. best Graham

Thinking that a good jeweler could solder a broken piece. Not too much can go wrong unless you break a link.

. . . and being steel, the repair - if it could be done - would require laser welding of a very high order. I suppose it could be done by a specialist, but Omega's response was to offer a replacement bracelet, which I take to mean that a repair would've b... 

and I still think a clasp could be repaired here at a much better price. Where was the break?

. . . and since he's planning on moving to a part of the world where the humidity is much higher than here, it's probably a good decision for the long term. As for the clasp, I'm not sure where the break was, but he described it as a folded part that brok... 

to other collectors. Managed to get one for my Mark 4.5 from a buddy in another forum recently. Ofrei has a great selection, but they are new parts and some current Omega replacements are not always identical to the original. This message has been edited ... 

. . . there's hope for his bracelet yet ;-) . . .

Pre-destruction? ;-)

. . . that shows the darkened section between 7 and 9. I know, I know, if it belonged to either of us, we'd leave it alone. There is an undergrowth of corrosion that exposure to high humidity would likely accelerate, so he's having it re-dialed at great e...  

Graham, That's quite a transformation of your Connie. Correct bracelet makes all the difference. I admire your patience in hunting down the proper item, as I am trying to do the same for an Eterna-matic Kontiki. The watch originally came on a bracelet, bu...  

i wish you luck with your search Tom. the world of vintage watches, who's choose it :-)) i used to have a 65 speedy with the correct flat stretch link bracelet which i stupidly sold some time ago. now i have 2 1964 speedies and refuse to pay in excess of ... 

Congratulation Graham, I think this Connie looks excellent on the bracelet. Do you find the balance is still good for such a light watch? Do you wear it snugly or loose? You have encouraged me to think about bracelets a little more for these vintage piece... 

Hi Graham, your watch really caught my eye because I wear almost the same as an everyday beater, the question about the hands has also been in the back of my mind but now after looking at yours I'm not so sure that they are incorrect at all. I'm 99% sure ...  

Hands Jim. as we know, there are so many variations that its impossible to say they are wrong, easier to say they may not be right. i think they are 100% spot on. if my watchmaker didnt point them out then they are right as he knows his vintage Omegas. Om... 

thanks Andrew. i think its the finishing off of the whole package thats more important than how it wears. in this case the rice beads is a very lightweight bracelet with a lot of movement. if it was an oyster you'd think it was stretched, but thats how th... 

Nice to see your perseverence pay off. And good to hear you confirm that you aren't a wrist flicker! The Constellation looks great.

Hi, Graham, Lovely Connie and yes, I am with you on the great way it works with the rice bracelet. I couldn't help it, so I went over to my parent's and stole Dad's pie pan Constellation for a few hours so I could snap some pictures. This watch was origin...  

So, one day, it will be yours? A Keeper for the Generations. I like that! Best, Amigo! Nicolasz

Yes, hopefully one day I will be able to wear this beautiful watch and take care of it before passing it on the the next generation. Hopefully my brothers won't mind me keeping it though, once the time comes. Hope you are having a great week, hermano. Abr... 

very very nice Alex. thats exactly what i'm looking for from 1964 if i can find one. i agree with you that its good to have bracelet AND leather so you can change about at will. all you really need is a buckle and buy a nice aftermarket strap which is wha... 

To which there is really no right answer, that is why this passion is so rewarding but addictive at the same time, as once you start with a specific theme in a collection, you then desire all the variants that fill that criteria. An endless circle, and I ... 

Enjoy it - it is so comfortable. Ginger...  

very nice Ginger. i seem to be the only person who didnt have a rice grain bracelet :-) take a look at my reply to Alex on my theory on dagger hands on different models. i think you'll agree with me. best Graham

Hi my friend Looks awesome with the beads of rice bracelet..! I have the beads of rice bracelt on two of watches in my little calibre 560 collection, but my wrist is too big so I can not wear them so good (see picure below):-( But they look awesome and we...  

i was very lucky Hans as mine fits perfectly at its largest adjustment. BTW i've sent you a pm about a 560. best Graham