A look back at the Biel-based maker’s underrated creations

In our world driven by novelty and social media, it can sometimes be easy to forget something that only came out a few years ago. But today, we’re going to introduce an underrated watch, a restrained model that packs all Omega’s craftsmanship into it…and more. The Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar focuses on precision and joins one of the most practical calendar types, full of debate, but also polarizing details. So today, we are going to review this watch.

A tribute to the early Constellation watches
As we explain in this in-depth history article, Constellation is one of Omega’s most enduring collections. It even came before the legendary Speedmaster. While today the name usually refers to a watch with an integrated bracelet and bezel with its signature claws, Constellation started its life with a different goal.

Following the launch of a limited-edition watch in 1948 to celebrate Omega’s centennial, the brand launched the series-produced Constellation in 1952, originally equipped with a calibre 354 for men. Among the many iconic features, some highlight the first members of the constellation family: a star and watch name above the 6 o’clock marker, the sealed caseback with a constellation of eight stars crowned the Geneva Observatory ‘s medal. Although there are a variety of movements to choose from – 351, 352 and 354 with bumper rotors, which were replaced four years later by 500, 501, 505, followed by 561 for date models in 1966, and finally Using Caliber 564 – all of which will be entirely dedicated to precision, with chronometer certification.Swiss fake watch

Another important feature of the earlier models was the design feature, the so-called “pie plate” dial. With its raised central area and sloping peripheral chapter rings for the hour markers, the dial looks like an upside-down pie plate, injecting depth and originality into the watch. The pie plate model, described as a “12-sided” dial, is controversial among vintage watch collectors.

With that in mind, take a look at the current collection… well, you probably understand where most of the design elements come from by now.

RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL CONSTELLATION CONCEPT WITH GLOBEMASTER
In 2015, Omega will introduce the brand’s basic product, which is not a watch, but its Master Chronometer certification, which is now almost all over the collection. In addition to the COSC certification, the Master Chronometer certification goes one step further and replicates real wearing conditions to ensure the watch is resistant to magnetic fields and water – a certification conceived in conjunction with the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology, METAS.

To showcase this new certification, which represents the epitome of the brand’s precision and reliability, Omega has decided to revise the Constellation name, which in the past has represented Bill’s best precision. An ode to early Constellation watches, the Globemaster features a “pie plate” dial and the Geneva Observatory on the back. The brand originally launched a time and date watch with independently settable hour hands in 2015, and the following year introduced a model with a very interesting complication, the annual calendar.

Globemaster Annual Calendar
While the Globemaster certainly doesn’t have the aura of the two most iconic watches Omega has ever produced (and two of the most iconic watches in the entire industry) the Speedmaster and Seamaster, it’s still a collection of quality and argument.

In terms of design, it can be seen as a slightly elegant vision of an everyday watch, a model that can be worn in any situation, be it a suit at the office or a more casual look at the weekend. The Constellation Globemaster is another all-rounder from Omega, alongside the Aqua-Terra – the latter may be more sporty, while the Globemaster is more elegant. As mentioned above, what’s important here are the plethora of references to earlier Constellation watches, all wrapped up in a more modern package.

This version of the Omega Constellation Globemaster case is made of stainless steel and has an oval shape, with the lugs being part of the overall case in a way. At 41mm in diameter, it’s no small thing, especially in this annual calendar version, which measures 14.7mm in height. The execution of the case is typical Omega, with brushed surfaces, polished finishes and an undeniable sense of sturdiness and quality. Less traditional, at least for Omega, are the bezels with fluted profiles and polished surfaces. To maintain its beauty over the years, the bezel is made of scratch-resistant tungsten carbide “hard metal”, and surprisingly, considering its profession, this watch is water resistant to 100 meters – which is always respectable of.

The most obvious connection to past Constellation models is the dial. In fact, the Globemaster collection features its 12-sided “pie plate” with a star at 6 o’clock. However, this version made some noise when it first launched, with its unusual display of the calendar, mostly the font used to indicate the month. While Omega is known for its rigorous design and clean dials, this version features highly stylized italics, as the month window used in previous annual calendars from the De Ville collection was certainly to be expected. Our reaction to the watch when it launched in 2016 certainly wasn’t very positive, and the press pictures didn’t quite do it justice. A few years later, seeing a metal luxury watch,

In addition to the 12-sided profile, the dial of this Omega Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar has a sunburst brushed pattern that provides strong reflection in ambient light. It features blue hands and application markers, all filled with luminous material. Omega has come up with another stainless steel version, this time with a creamy silver dial.

As for the display, it’s classic at first, with central hours, minutes and seconds, and a date window at 6 o’clock. The main theme is the fourth central hand, showing the month and linked to the annual calendar mechanism – in our opinion the best compromise between a simple calendar and a complex, fragile and expensive perpetual calendar. The annual calendar takes into account the length of the month and automatically adjusts the date depending on whether the month has 30 or 31 days. Corrections are only required once a year at the end of February.

To drive this display, the Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar relies on the evolution of the brand’s classic automatic movement, the 8922. Certified by the Master Chronometer, it incorporates all Omega technologies, including anti-magnetic properties, excellent timekeeping, a free-spring balance with a silicon hairspring, a double barrel for better torque distribution and, of course, the The brand’s coaxial escapement. The movement features the classic decoration of the arabesque Côtes de Genève and the Observatory medallion on the sapphire crystal – a nod to early Constellation watches.

All in all, the Omega Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar is a technically flawless watch. As with Omega, the movement exceeded expectations and the annual calendar complication is still very interesting. The overall execution is also impressive, but again, that’s nothing new for Omega. Best of all, the price of this watch is relatively fair considering the tech package. It’s still a matter of design, which may be more controversial. But there is nothing objective here.

The Omega Constellation Globemaster is made of stainless steel and features an alligator leather strap with a stainless steel folding clasp.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – OMEGA CONSTELLATION GLOBEMASTER
Case: 41mm diameter x 14.7mm height – Stainless steel case with brushed and polished finish – Tungsten carbide “hard metal” scratch-resistant grooved bezel – Sapphire crystal front and back – 100m water resistance
Dial: “pie plate”-like dial with brushed grey sunburst, blue faceted hands and indexes with Super-LumiNova luminous coating
Movement: Omega 8922 in-house movement – Master Chronometer certified – Self-winding – Co-Axial escapement – Free-spring balance with silicon balance spring – 39 jewels – 25,200 vibrations/hour – Double barrel, 55 hours Power Reserve – Antimagnetic 15,000 Gauss – Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Annual Calendar with Month Hand and Date at 6 o’clock
Strap: Blue alligator leather strap (20 mm) with stainless steel folding clasp
Reference: 130.33.41.22.06.001