Omega Constellation

"Up to the stars"

1972

The first Omega Constellation was released in 1952 not as a single offering but as a tiered one. Plain versions were available as the reference 2648 and 2652, while more deluxe varieties were available as the 2699 and 2700 reference models. All options boasted the same case shape, automatic bumper movements (chronometer Omega Calibre 35X), and an applied star on the dial. The difference between the upper tier and lower tier versions, aside from water resistance, was reserved to the style of dial. Most notably, some of the deluxe versions were equipped with what came to be know as the “pie pan” dial accompanied by gold “diamond” indices. It is these two features which stand out in history as hallmarks of the Constellation model and, though they were not a permanent feature of the model line, one of these came back in a modern Constellation release which we cover further down this page. Aside from the dial and index styles, the first Constellation watches also possessed a feature that would remain with the model family throughout its entire life – the caseback medallion. The caseback medallion, with an image of the Geneva Observatory and exactly 8 night stars, represented the 8 chronometry records that Omega set in 1931. It is this picture, with the stars arranged as a constellation, that gave birth to the model’s name. The original style of Constellation thrived until the mid ’60s when it was redesigned. The new “C-case” or “C-type” design integrated the lugs, which no longer protruded from the ends of the case, while also giving the case a tonneau (“cushion”) profile. Overall, the influence of the space age in the new aesthetic was quite apparent. The dial of the Constellation also saw some changes. No longer offered in the pie pan style, the contour of the dials were either flat or slightly domed. The indices, too, were re-imagined. The diamond indices of the past were now replaced with applied baton indices. In many instances, the dauphine hands were also replaced for ‘stick’ hands.

Omega has constantly been defined by its pioneering spirit, demonstrated by its conquests of the oceans as well as space. Since 1965, the Omega Speedmaster has been worn on each of NASA's piloted missions including all six moon landings and many of history’s greatest explorations beyond Earth. Omega also has served as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. In watchmaking, Omega’s history has been dedicated to a quest for perfection. This legacy continued in 1999 with the launch of the revolutionary Co-Axial escapement and, in 2015, with the world’s first Master Chronometer. Due to being approved by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), watches with the designation Master Chronometer can withstand a pressure of up to 15'000 Gauss.