Don't Buy Omega Constellation Gold Cap Model 168.010 from Replica Websites




Copyright infringement occurs in China with the full support of its government and judicial system. When international copyright owners seek to defend their intellectual property, a system of 'protection' clicks in, and even the most audacious intellectual property thieves are shielded by the corrupt and decaying Chinese system. 

Take the action in the Chinese courts by BMW (one of countless examples) against the Chinese car manufacturer China Automobile  for producing a fake BMW X5 and calling it the “Shuanghuan CEO”.  Even Blind Freddy would discern that it was a replica of the X5, but an institution in China, which could only laughingly be called a court, ruled that the car looked nothing like a BMW X5.  So, what hope do you think Omega would have with the wholesale counterfeiting of its current range, let alone watches where the intellectual property rights may have lapsed. 

Why the rant about the institutional dishonesty inherent in stealing other people's ideas and profiting from them?  Well, fake watches, and particularly fake vintage watches, contaminate and pervert the market, apart from all the heartbreak that may be caused in buying a fake at premium prices.  The most galling, albeit instructional window into the Chinese authorities' psyche, is that watch faking continues with the wholesale support of the Chinese system in manufacturing plants that produce watch components for 'legitimate' brands by day and fakes by night.  The Chinese authorities know of the damage to brand, people and markets caused, and indeed the linkages between organised crime and the distribution of their fake products, but through their morally and politically bankrupt coke-bottle lenses, who cares?

UPDATE

From the pictures on two separate websites uncovered, one would think that the latest vintage Omega Constellation to be faked is the 168.010, however the criminals running the sites have not stolen the design.......only the photograph! Claiming to have replicas of the watch in the above photograph, the sellers encourage people to click through and pay their money.

Watchmaker, Tim Mackrain, was so curious about the construction of a fake 168.010 that he made a purchase so as to be able to pull it apart, photograph it and disseminate the information widely as a service to the watch collecting community. The watch duly arrived looking nothing like a vintage or indeed a contemporary Omega Constellation, and through an email exchange the sellers provided enough evidence for Tim to be able to reverse the transaction with his credit card company. So, fortunately, no harm done to Tim.

A timely reminder, though, that all sorts of cockroaches populate internet commerce, supported as mentioned above by other cockroaches who turn, or whom are paid to turn, a blind eye.


20 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:41 pm

    THANK YOU DESMOND!!! You continue to be a great source of inspiration and knowledge for us collectors of vintage Omega watches. Best regards, Thomas - Copenhagen, Denmark.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Youre welcome Thomas!

      I have a collector friend who has purchased one of these aberrations and we will reveal more when it arrives.

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
    2. Hello Desmond,

      I have a Constellation 168.010 c564 last week, an ebay ad from a Spanish company with two NOS 168.010 cases to sell - One difference with the Spanish case is that it rises from the perimeter in a continuous curve right up the the observatory medallion whereas on mine, the profile is an angled ~ 5mm band followed by a flat land (also ~5mm) which surrounds the medallion. The insides of the backs are identical to what I've seen elsewhere, as are all the engraved/stamped markings

      Web images show both back profiles used on the 168.010 - does anyone know why two different back designs would be used?

      Any views welcome

      (BTW the Spanish web site has quite a few NOS Omega cases for sale - they are mostly for old Geneve's but there a a few Connie cases and a DeVille too - did not notice any seamasters or any other Omega model)

      Delete
    3. Hi Joseph,

      Most likely the parts cases are manufactured by a different case maker. I have seen both case back iterations, and so as long as you have done due diligence on the case (proper chamfers on lugs and correct case middle) there shouldnt be a problem.

      Regards

      Desmond

      Delete
    4. Hello Desmond,
      Thank you very much for helping clarify this. Once again you've helped me find an answer quickly, and coming from you....well, I have a great level of confidence in you expertise. You are definitely my "go-to" man on all things Constellation. Thanks again.
      JC

      Delete
  2. Al Fountain10:48 am

    Hallo Desmond,

    This 168.010 has the fake white chinese pie-pan dial,
    and case also looks horrible.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-STEEL-OMEGA-CONSTELLATION-PIE-PAN-DIAL-AUTO-GENTS-VINTAGE-WATCH-/170900997983

    what do you think?

    Regards

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a fake Al, but a redial. Note how the chapter rinf is not quite right, as is the uppercase lettering.

      Agree with your description of the case - they have re-brushed it but in the process have removed all traced of the facets at the extremities of the lugs. I have concerns about the case back too - and the price, well, that's ridiculous.

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
  3. hi Desmond, is this watch genuine?
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/400564131043?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A bad refinishing job on a watch that has been well worn. Notice the case back medallion - it has lost most of the stars. No picture of movement and so one cant tell if the signature parts are on the movement.
      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
  4. Anonymous12:29 am

    Dear Desmond
    what about my 551 dial hour is not onyx but painted black, wheres the whole watch is genuine?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would need to see some pics of the watch and dial to be certain, however some late dials did have painted and not onyx markers.

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
  5. Hi Desmond ,
    Your thoughts on this eBay listing? I'm after a 1962 birth year watch....I think this may qualify...141636613768

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Case has been overly polished in my opiniuon, leading to very rounded lugs. I'd like to see a much better pic of the dial so as to confirm its not refinished.

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
  6. Anonymous9:23 pm

    Dear Desmond
    What do you think about this watch? Is it real or fake?
    http://allegro.pl/zegarek-omega-constellation-pie-pan-zloto-stal-i5401880242.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Generally okay, case is a little over-polished. Dial has been refinished. Movement is clean and correct. Crown is replacement. Medallion on case back a little worn.

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
  7. Anonymous12:38 am

    Hi Desmond

    Thank you for running this great website.

    Do you think this is a real Omega: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272038597781?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

    The inside case says: Acier Inoxydable; Omega Watch Co; Fab Suisse; Swiss Made; Patent + 315164; 2852 16SC; FIT WASHER IN BACK (in 4 languages). That's all.

    Thanks for your help!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi

    The inner case back should have the model number of the watch stamped, along with the Omega symbol, etc. Also the outer case back appears to have had the Constellation and Waterproof stamps polished off

    ReplyDelete
  9. So 2852 is the model

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous1:46 am

    Dear Desmond

    A friend gave me a link to this site - is it OK to ask your opinion on a recently purchased 168.010 case only?

    Regards

    JP

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sure, I answered the query abover, but if you click on 'About Me' you'll see an email click-through. If you want me to look at the case just send an email with the URL to the site.

    Cheers
    D

    ReplyDelete