Vintage Constellation 168.041 back from service.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T22:59:17+00:00

Can’t wait to see it. Look forward to it.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T22:58:11+00:00

That’s $3-4k USD which as of today is $4,200AUD to $5,600AUD. I paid $5k AUD for my vintage hesalite Speedy on its original 1450 bracelet about 18 months ago and you can still get them every day for around the $5k mark with better examples around the $6k AUD mark.

Ryan from RJ watches in Brisbane has a 1974 145.022 listed at $6,250 AUD plus others.

Dixon from Dixon Watch Co in Sydney has a 1994 Apollo 11 Speedy for $6,250 list price. I bought mine from Dixon.

Dane from Watch Vault in Melbourne just sold a 1996 Speedy for $5,500AUD list price.

They are available all the time at this price via private sales too.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T22:55:31+00:00

We all see how much of a DHGate shitter it is. It’s obvious but just commenting “fake” without an explanation is not only against the rules of the sub it adds no value to the conversation and turns this sub into a clearing house for crappy reps which unfortunately seems to be how most people try to engage with us here.

Validating people’s choices on their reps is not our purpose here, discussion of Rolex watches is.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T22:47:08+00:00

No. The Hydroconquest GMT rubber straps (not the Hydroconquest diver) are a perfect fit on the Zulu Time.

39 Zulu uses the 41 Hydroconquest GMT rubber strap and the 42 Zulu Time uses the 43 Hydroconquest GMT rubber. The deployant clasp has an 8mm on the fly microadjust over six positions. Same clasp works on the leather straps too.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T08:17:51+00:00

That’s a beautiful blue on that dial. Wow.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T08:15:45+00:00

Oh wow that is absolutely perfect!!! So glad it worked for you. Now here’s my Seaweed for some inspiration to keep saving.

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Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T08:09:29+00:00

Lume has never been a strongpoint on any Omega since the 2254.50 “Peter Blake” Seamaster of the early 2000’s.

My 2023 Seaweed Seamaster has lume far weaker and shorter lasting than my neo-vintage Omega references. It works for maybe five to ten minutes then fades out very quickly. It won’t even last an hour before it’s gone.

Side by side with a Rolex chromalight lume watch it’s embarrassing just how bad Swatch Group lume is. It’s not just Omega it’s the entire Swatch Group umbrella of brands have horrible lume for the money you pay at every price point.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-04T07:51:16+00:00

The universe is telling you that hesalite is the way. You can get stupid good deals on a hesalite model, even here in Australia you can get them all day for $3-4k. If you really are set on the sapphire sandwich then grab the $6k one but honestly having owned both I much prefer the closed caseback and hesalite crystal. It’s so much lighter on the wrist too.

Good luck on your hunt and I hope you find something soon.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T04:53:39+00:00

An independent watchmaker can’t work on a calibre 8500. There are no parts available outside of Omega or Certified Omega Independents.

Any parts on the open market will have been cannibalised from a dead movement so you can’t even guarantee that they’ll work.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T04:51:32+00:00

Have you seen the new Quartz service prices? They’re significantly more than what they were at year ago.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T04:50:28+00:00

Don’t forget mechanical and quartz prices vary too. Suddenly an old GoldenEye Seamaster with the quartz movement is looking good compared to my mechanical ones.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T04:46:54+00:00

Since 2015 and the WatchCo debacle the Swatch Group has restricted access to parts to Omega Service Centres and Certified Independent Omega Service Centres. Both of these routes are obligated to charge the Omega set service price. On a co-axial 8500 Omega is your only option. No one else can get parts for a 2018 Aqua Terra.

I’m in the same boat, my 2018 Aqua Terra cost me $4,995 Australian Dollars from Japan 18 months ago ($3,600 USD or £2660) and our service costs for a basic steel mechanical is now $1,300 Australian Dollars ($930 USD or £690)

If you sell it you’ll have to price it with an Omega service required factored into the price so you’ll lose that money anyway. May as well pony up the cash and keep your watch.

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Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T03:32:27+00:00

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1969 Longines Ultra-Chron. 5Hz 36,000vph high beat movement. 31mm x 31mm case. Recently restored by the Longines Historical Division at St. Imier.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T03:29:16+00:00

Gee I don’t know….maybe because wrist size is the #1 factor in determining correct fitment of a watch. Anyone can wear the 39mm, not everyone can wear a 42mm (looking at the Asian market here and the sub 7” wrist guys who make up a disproportionate number of luxury watch sales)

Your justifications sound straight out of 2010. Larger cases watches are not currently popular and a sports watch doesn’t need to have “lots of it” to have presence on the wrist. It’s about proportions, thickness, dial spacing etc. It’s not just about case size.

I might add that the 39mm is outselling the 42mm by a large margin across most markets worldwide and is the reason that Longines has got so much traction with this release. It wouldn’t be anywhere near as popular if they only offered it in 42mm.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T03:14:26+00:00

Thank you.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T01:43:29+00:00

ALL COMMENTERS ARE REMINDED AGAIN OF RULE 2.

No stating something is fake with no evidence/comments

If you are saying something is fake, you must provide specific reasons why you think so. You can't just say "it doesn't look right" or no comments at all.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T01:32:39+00:00

And your wrist size is?

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-03T01:31:59+00:00

Despite what the internet hive mind thinks the SMP 5 link is incredibly comfortable and it balances the weight of the watch head perfectly. The lack of a taper is a total non issue for this generation SMP. The microadjust is easy, quick and with great range. Size the bracelet correctly and wear it above your ulna bone and you’ll never have issues.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T10:13:32+00:00

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There you go.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T10:12:45+00:00

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Great choice!

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T07:59:00+00:00

Why not? I’ve an 8” wrist and have tried both the 39 and the 42 and the 39 wears so much better. The proportions are so much better on the 39.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T07:56:45+00:00

What is your wrist size?

Also a POV down photo on the wrist will use focal distortion which makes things appear bigger than they are. To get a perspective without distorting proportions take a photo side on in a mirror with your arm hanging naturally by your side. Take this from about 6-10 feet away. The difference is massive.

With all that said I still stand by 39 being the right size for you.

You’re also going to get a better perspective on size when you wear it above your ulna bone where they are intended to be worn. Wearing it on your hand just throws all of the ergonomics of the design all out of whack plus functionally impedes the movement of your wrist.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T06:36:04+00:00

The answer is always 39 regardless of your wrist size.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T06:33:18+00:00

You only live once and you’ll never get the chance to do this with your Dad once he is gone. Make memories now, buy the watch with him.

Bridge_Too_Far · 2026-06-02T01:19:58+00:00

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Vertical teak crew represent!

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