The Omega Constellation is (or was according to some people) the flagship of the Omega brand. Omega is now trying to regain the status it once had with their new DeVille Co-Axial. Besides the Constellation story below, I also wrote two reviews on the Constellation. A new one (my own), and an older model from my grandfather.

1962 Constellation

The Omega Constellation was introduced in 1952, and used the 28.10 RA (later on the cal. 354) movement. The Constellation was a chronometer watch and was the flagship of Omega. In 1952 there were about 42.000 chronometer (certified chronometres (C.O.S.C) watches sold, 26.951 Rolex watches and 13.954 Omega's. In 1958 kicked the Rolex Oyster-Perpetual-Chronometer from the 1st place and in 1963 they even produced 103.041 Constellation over 44.305 Rolex watches. In 1969 Omega sold even 194.580 Constellations over a 179.169 Rolex watches. After that, the Rolex beat Omega again with 193.790 certified chronometers over a 161.424 Constellation chronometers. Since then, the sales were getting worse and worse. They never topped Rolex again. Nowadays, Omega has a fair second spot at the top 10 certified chronometers, but Rolex stays the unbeaten number 1 for years now.

Omega produced the so called 'pie-pan' Constellation (like the one above) from 1952 to 1969. Most collectors still think this is the nicest Omega Constellation ever (I do also). The movements that were used were all certified chronometers and the probably most used one was the cal. 551 that was used since 1959 till 1969 in the pie-pan. It is a 24 jewel chronometer certified movement with 19.800A/h. The powerreserve was/is over 50 hours.

Other famous movements were the cal. 561 (24 jewels, calender) and cal. 564 (24 jewels, calendar). These calibres (551,552,560,561,562,563,564,565) were all based on the cal.550 (27.9mm, automatic) except that the cal.550 wasn't a certified chronometer.

In the 70's, Omega produced several different Constellations, including the famous 'C' model and the electric watches running on f 8192HZ, f 300HZ and 2.4MHZ (2,359,296HZ). The f2.4MHZ MegaQuartz Constellation (also known as Marine Chronometer) is still the most accurate wristwatch ever made. It was made in 1974. In 1980 Omega even produced a shipchronometer working at f 4,19MHZ!!

The 'C' model Constellation with cal. 1250 'Mosaba' from 1976.

To be honest, these watches weren't the most pretty ones, but they are collector items now. In 1982 Omega introduced the new Constellation series. It looks much like the Constellation from the current range. The 4 claws on the bezel pressed the saffier glass against the bezel to make it waterresistant and dustfree. The first model was a Quartz Chronometer and came in 18kt gold/steel. Wait for the upcoming photoalbum to see more of one of the nicest watches ever.

This is a model from the current range. A full 18kt gold Constellation, certified chronometer with a cal.1120 movement.