Omega Pie Pan Constellation

[FitzWell]

A few months ago I saw a replica of a Constellation Pie Pan 167.005 build, and I immediately knew I wanted one. Unfortunately, the person who built it didn't have the link to the Taobao listing where they bought it, so I decided to source the parts from eBay.

A couple of months and $275 later (case was $80, bracelet $55, dial $97, hands were $14.99, plus about $28 shipping), I had the case, bracelet, dial, and hands, and all I needed was the movement. The hands and case are made for a Miyota 8215 movement, but I like hacking, so I got a DG2813 movement from Miuksi on AliExpress ($36). Unfortunately this does mean it has a ghost date when you pull out the crown.

This is my first build ever, but I've swapped movements/dials/etc before, so it wasn't too difficult. I forgot to take pictures of the process, but it's not really that complex. The end result though is very nice.

The biggest downside is that it's 38mm x 48.3mm instead of the Gen's 34mm x 42mm


It passes the "MOY test" that used to be one of the first ways to make sure your dial was original.



The clasp is pretty decent too, similar in quality to a gen vintage omega I have on bracelet (a Deville).



The Geneva observatory on the caseback isn't the best, but most people never see the back of a watch anyway.



I also made a custom waterbuck leather strap for it, which is great.



I'm looking for a second dial that I can try vintagizing with a tamiya weathering set, in case I screw it up I want to keep this one in good condition.

For $311 total I think it's a decent watch.

 

[Procurator]

Bravo, sir! Excellent work.

I always had a thing for the Constelation and its many variants. Sadly, it looks ridiculous on my wrist and does not fit my style (like at all), so Im destined to just silently envy other gentlemen.

For the price, it looks mint.

 

[FaberNewBuilder]

Amazing build. Also, these are all rep parts?

 

[manodeoro]

Amazing build. Also, these are all rep parts?

I guess YES
you can get a whole set (case + bracelet + dial + hands) on AliExpress for $70 more or less ... you can choose for 2836 or 8215 movement
a friend of mine built one some months ago and it looked really great

 

[tanith]

wait, what??
this looks fantastic, i had no idea
i'm assuming they do the usual advertise sterile parts but ship branded on aliexpress?

 

[manodeoro]

wait, what??
this looks fantastic, i had no idea
i'm assuming they do the usual advertise sterile parts but ship branded on aliexpress?

They used too ... better to ask the seller to confirm
You can also find some nice fantasy hommage there ... "Titony Airmaster" or "Anicar" I guess those kits all come from the same factory

 

[FitzWell]

Well apparently I overpaid by a lot. That makes me feel quite dumb, but I guess it happens. Thanks for the info, if I decide to build another one I’ll definitely check out that AliExpress link.

 

[R2L]

Beautiful watch! But dont worry about the size. Omega made a Jumbo version of these Constellations with a 37mm case:

Omega Constellation Chronometre 1966 Jumbo Gold Capped... for $3,531 for sale from a Private Seller on Chrono24

Omega Constellation Listing: $3,531 Omega Constellation Chronometre 1966 Jumbo Gold Capped..., Reference number 168.001; Gold/Steel; Automatic; Condition Very good; Year 1966; Location: The

www.chrono24.com

 

[manodeoro]

Well apparently I overpaid by a lot. That makes me feel quite dumb, but I guess it happens. Thanks for the info, if I decide to build another one I’ll definitely check out that AliExpress link.

do NOT feel dumb ... we all overpay something someday I overpaid for my divorce and I don't feel dumb ... just free

 

[tanith]

Well apparently I overpaid by a lot. That makes me feel quite dumb, but I guess it happens. Thanks for the info, if I decide to build another one I’ll definitely check out that AliExpress link.

i wouldn't worry too much about it, at least you can't overpay by much on a build like this

i couldn't find the same three hander parts as you, but i did find one with a date window that takes a 2836, which looks quite promising
case seems quite thick though, advertised as 14.3mm compared to 11mm on the jumbo listed above!

 

[369mafia]

That's sharp. Well done!! I dig those .

 

[manodeoro]

i wouldn't worry too much about it, at least you can't overpay by much on a build like this

i couldn't find the same three hander parts as you, but i did find one with a date window that takes a 2836, which looks quite promising
case seems quite thick though, advertised as 14.3mm compared to 11mm on the jumbo listed above!

Here's a link

 

[FitzWell]

i wouldn't worry too much about it, at least you can't overpay by much on a build like this

i couldn't find the same three hander parts as you, but i did find one with a date window that takes a 2836, which looks quite promising
case seems quite thick though, advertised as 14.3mm compared to 11mm on the jumbo listed above!

Just measured the thickness on mine and it is 14.2mm, so that one is probably the same case with a different dial

 

[manodeoro]

Just measured the thickness on mine and it is 14.2mm, so that one is probably the same case with a different dial

Yes ... some AE shops sell both without or with date-window

 

[tanith]

Yes ... some AE shops sell both without or with date-window

if i'm not mistaken the seller you linked also sells 24kt golden toilet bowls

 

[FaberNewBuilder]

I guess YES
you can get a whole set (case + bracelet + dial + hands) on AliExpress for $70 more or less ... you can choose for 2836 or 8215 movement
a friend of mine built one some months ago and it looked really great

Dang I didn't know they made reps of vintage models

 

[manodeoro]

if i'm not mistaken the seller you linked also sells 24kt golden toilet bowls

REP toilet bowls

 

[G_sus]

Hi @FitzWell

Lovely piece, I'm surely going to get one myself!

What strap size does it take?

Thanks

 

[FitzWell]

Hi @FitzWell

Lovely piece, I'm surely going to get one myself!

What strap size does it take?

Thanks

It takes 20mm straps, and it actually has 2 holes on the lugs so you can have the strap closer or further from the watch body. The picture with the strap I made it's on the closer set of lug holes, the bracelet fits into the farther set.

 

[tanith]

I went and put one together myself for about $150 from aliexpress parts, all steel/silver with a date window. The seller mano posted will do it for you plus the movement for $135, so in hindsight that's not a bad idea either.

My overall impression is that it's a neat little watch and especially considering the price. Part quality is solid and it ticks a lot of boxes, although it's not really comparable to your $500+ big factory reps in terms of surface finishing and all that.

The fonts and printing on the dial look alright, with the characteristic flat-topped A's. Middle of the dial has a nice soft sunburst pattern. The date on an A2836 is centered nicely in the date window (maybe lucky), and the date window surround is also made up of the angled and beveled surfaces you find on the gen. There's also a faint omega symbol in the middle of the crystal I hadn't noticed, like LEC on a Rolex. The crown and case back both have rubber gaskets. I haven't tested it for water resistance, but my guess is it'd be fine for swimming.



Not as nice is the mid-case polishing, the lugs aren't very sharply defined. As Fitz already noted the case back is not great. The bracelet is ok, like the stuff you get from raffles, but the hinge on the clasp on mine is a little stiff (maybe unlucky). On the "jumbo" sizing, it wears like a normal, modern 40mm watch to me. Probably a pass if you're looking for vintage men's sizing (like 36mm and under).



Overall, the end result really does look quite nice, and for $150! The parts are solidly made and I think the attention to detail is there, although if you've handled a few reps, there's absolutely no fooling yourself that this belongs anywhere other the sub $400 vintage reps league. Strikes me as a really good beginner project, the parts aren't expensive if you do cock up, and if you don't, the end product is a decent enough Omega.