How many turns to wind a constellation chrono piepan 1960s?

Johnny_C
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What the title says. I don't know any of the numbers for case movement my poor old eyes won't work. I've loved this watch for 30 years. It needs a service it's 15 years since the last and I can't afford it, auto wind no longer works (or maybe I'm too discrepit but it's on the hand that lifts the brandy glass)

I'm also vaguely interested in value it cost me £600 Id walked past it in Clerkenwell Rd in London for a few years it never sold. I qualified in my field and got a big bonus and at lunchtime I was straight to the shop and came out with a new watch and a grin on my face. I'll never sell it just interested in views on value for insurance.

It's not bling or ostentatious just a beautiful classic design.

20251113_021326.webp
 
Dan S
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It's an automatic movement, so you can wind it as much as you want, there's no danger in overwinding it. If you want to be certain it's fully wound, turn the crown 40 rotations or so each day, and that should be more than enough. But if you turned the crown 100 times, it's not a problem.

As for value, because of the condition of the dial and the movement, the value would be mainly in the gold of the case, assuming it's solid gold. But given the current high price of gold, I'm sure it's worth at least as much as you paid.
 
Johnny_C
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Cheers. Based on other watches I turn 40 times (full rotation using a manual winder)

Service needed, no box or papers I can understand. It's 18k gold so I get the scrap value (tragedy). Out of curiosity what are the problems with dial? There's no wear or damage as far as I can see. New glass last service.
 
Dan S
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It is commonly found that old watches have had their dials repainted at one time or another. Probably because the original dial was damaged by moisture intrusion or something similar. Collectors prize originality so a repainted dial affects the collectible value, and collectors are even picky about having all the original parts, like the crown. But many/most owners are totally happy with a clean undamaged dial and a replacement crown that keeps the water out.
 
dsio
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On the plus side, there are more vintage dials floating around thanks to the gold price right now, RIP all of those cases.
 
bsowers34
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Picture not great, but looks like a nice wearable daily for little cost. Enjoy it.
 
PatinaLover
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Johnny_C Johnny_C
What the title says. I don't know any of the numbers for case movement my poor old eyes won't work. I've loved this watch for 30 years. It needs a service it's 15 years since the last and I can't afford it, auto wind no longer works (or maybe I'm too discrepit but it's on the hand that lifts the brandy glass)

I'm also vaguely interested in value it cost me £600 Id walked past it in Clerkenwell Rd in London for a few years it never sold. I qualified in my field and got a big bonus and at lunchtime I was straight to the shop and came out with a new watch and a grin on my face. I'll never sell it just interested in views on value for insurance.

It's not bling or ostentatious just a beautiful classic design.

20251113_021326.webp
It is definitely worth more than £600, that cross-hair dial is stunning. I would definitely get the piece serviced when you can afford to.
 
Peemacgee
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PatinaLover PatinaLover
It is definitely worth more than £600, that cross-hair dial is stunning.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but that cross hair dial is not original and is a redial.

Whilst incorrect, it is however quite tidy and very wearable.
 
B
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@Johnny_C where are you based? A service may not be as expensive as you think.
Assuming you're still in the UK, this may be of use to you:
https://bhi.co.uk/repairers
Joe Horner at the Anglesea Watch Center and Richard Rigga at https://riggarepairs.co.uk/ both come recommended. I've not used them, but heard good things about both. Although Joe is notoriously bad at answering on line. He's old school, use the telephone number on his website.

If you let us know which city you're in, someone may be able to recommend a local watchmaker.

EDIT:
It will be cheaper in the long run to get it serviced, than to keep running it without the service. Eventually it will either just stop, or the timekeeping will get so bad it's useless. At that point you're going to need replacement parts, and that couldmean a big bill. Whereas a service will keep it running smoothly for at least another decade or so.

It's like running an engine without oil.
 
Johnny_C
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Thanks. I seem to remember last service (sent back to Omega) had a redial. My poor old brain forgets things but I got a bag of replaced parts that may have included a dial.

I'm in Liverpool.
I want it serviced, I never used to need to wind it manually and yes I would be gutted if it stops, and I'm keenly aware of things that need servicing do need deserving. I drove old 911s for years and they do need it😭

I'll try those servicers. Thanks. Bloke who uses the phone preferably 👍🌟 having worked on the IT side for 40 years I now hate tech and yearn phone calls where you speak to the person rather than some AI bot
 
B
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Johnny_C Johnny_C
...

I'll try those servicers. Thanks. Bloke who uses the phone preferably 👍🌟 having worked on the IT side for 40 years I now hate tech and yearn phone calls where you speak to the person rather than some AI bot
That's Joe Horner. Please tell him Mike V from the Pistonheads watch forum says "Hi".
 
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