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In the world of watchmaking, OMEGA’s Constellation has long been a symbol of exquisite precision and timeless style.
The Constellation collection has been around for 66 years, making it one of Omega’s oldest collections today. Even its crest, a star-studded observatory, symbolizes its historic ties to a tradition unlike any other watch or brand.
The Omega Constellation’s designs include some of OMEGA’s best and most innovative watchmaking materials. Models in stainless steel, 18K gold, or a combination of the two are all available in the market for those who want to make a bold statement.
Although the first Omega Constellation model was introduced back in 1952, its origins can be traced decades back.
Where even to begin?
The renowned era of observatory trials, from 1919 to 1971, when OMEGA achieved its 93 wins and accomplished 72 world records at the observatories of Kew-Teddington, Neuchatel, and Geneva, is maybe the best place to start!
These observatory trials were originally known as the chronometry’s “Academy Awards.” They were not only the most strict and intense awards in the watch industry, but they were also the most demanding.
Back in the late 19th and early 20th century, watchmakers and their master watchmakers would spend a huge amount of time and money preparing for the trials, displaying the intricate science of precision and the ability to make each movement tick to be in sync.
More specifically, in 1933, at the observatory at Kew-Teddington in England, OMEGA set a world record for precision in every category, making it one of the company’s most notable years. When the business returned to the same observatory in 1936, the company managed to receive the same achievement.
Although this may seem impressive, however, when the Geneva Observatory added a “wristwatch-sized” movement category to its annual precision contests in 1945, OMEGA accomplished to win six times in that category in the eight years that followed.
In 1948, OMEGA marked its 100th anniversary by introducing the world’s first chronometer-certified wristwatch with an automated mechanism and connoisseurs of precision were blown away with this model! The model was called the “Centenary,” and OMEGA saw the “need” for a fully formed collection with the same official standing.
Here this is where Omega Constellation made its first appearance!
The now-iconic Constellation line was introduced to the market in 1952, following the success of the “Centenary.” This was the first time a company has established a watch family that was solely composed of certified chronometers. It was a powerful statement of intent that unmistakably demonstrated the brand’s commitment to accuracy.
As for its famous observatory symbol on the caseback; the medallion was designed to look like the Geneva Observatory, whereas the eight stars symbolize the two world records set in 1933 and 1936, as well as the six “wristwatch-sized” competitions won between 1945 and 1952.
With every new model that enters the collection, we are reminded of the Constellation’s history and OMEGA’s own accomplishments. Even better, the Master Chronometer certification currently given to each Omega Constellation watch demonstrates that the company’s guarantee of the greatest level of precision and performance remains unmistakably untouchable and true to its origins!
There is no doubt that so far the Swiss brand has already build a strong dominance in the field of precision awards and the word “OMEGA” has become synonymous with the highest quality standards in the world.