A Look Back at Omega’s 2024 Constellation Collection
Nearly 73 years after the first Constellation watch debuted, the brand continues to grow the collection while focusing on its appeal to women buyers. Today, we look back on some of the newest ladies’ (and a few men’s) pieces introduced in 2024.
No matter how you word the Google search – “most popular watch brands in the world,” “top ten watch brands,” “popular vintage watches,” “watch that hot Australian guy wore to the Golden Globes” – it’s safe to say there are very few brands – possibly only one – that will show up on nearly every list: Omega.
From its humble beginnings in mid-nineteenth century Switzerland to its acquisition by what is now known as the Swatch Group in the 1980s to its close ties to the James Bond franchise, Omega has earned its place in the pantheon of iconic watch brands.
And yet, it took over 100 years after its founding by Louis Brandt before Omega finally introduced its first timepiece for women.
It’s Complicated
It was 1955 when Omega introduced the first watch in its Ladymatic line, which was accompanied by the smallest certified rotor-equipped automatic caliber at the time.
The Ladymatic was a smashing success in an era where women wore wristwatches on the regular. It eventually returned some years back in an updated form as part of the sought-after De Ville line of watches.
Of course, while the watches in the De Ville collection for women remain a staple for the brand, Omega has also, over the years, introduced watches made with women in mind in the Seamaster, Speedmaster, and Constellation collections, which brings this article full circle.
Written in the Stars, Both Celestial and Theatrical
Omega’s Constellation line was introduced originally in 1952, but a women’s version (or what would be traditionally labeled as such) wasn’t manufactured for another thirty years.
The Constellation “Manhattan” – released in 1982 – was a watch designed by a 26-year-old Geneva School of the Decorative Arts graduate named Carol Didisheim. Unusually, the timepiece featured four screw-in claws at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.
Aside from the beautiful aesthetics, these claws secured the sapphire crystal to the case, thus allowing the watch to be water-resistant. This design and the Constellation collection in general, while having gone through improvements and updates since its beginning, has solidified its place in Omega’s history and earned its spot on the wrists of Hollywood stars and supermodels such as Nicole Kidman, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber, and others.
Presents from the Past
Earlier in 2024, Omega introduced a number of versions of the Constellation watch featuring dials made from the Muonionalusta meteorite, which could very well be the oldest known meteorite on the planet at over 4.5 billion years old. The Omega Constellation Meteorite collection featured twenty models in varying sizes. And yes, that included a few watches for men (I KNOW, RARE, RIGHT??).
The 41mm model (powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8900 movement) was introduced in a stainless-steel model with a black ceramic bezel, a meteorite dial with a rhodium-gray galvanic treatment, contrasting hands and indices, and the recognizable Constellation star coated with black PVD. There are also 41mm stainless steel variations with a green bezel and meteorite dial tinted green and a titanium bezel and meteorite dial tinted blue.
The headlining 29mm model had a case and bracelet crafted from stainless steel and 18K yellow gold, and it was powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8700, had a diamond-set bezel, and featured a meteorite dial enhanced with a PVD Moonshine Gold treatment.
Meanwhile, among the quartz-powered 28mm models was a stainless steel and 18K Sedna Gold version with an ice blue meteorite dial and diamond hour markers. Finally, the standout 25mm model was also crafted from stainless steel and 18K Sedna Gold and powered by a quartz movement. This model features diamonds on the bezel and hour markers and has an attractive lilac-colored meteorite dial.
Later in 2024, Omega put forth even more Constellation collection timepieces, this time geared toward lovers of smaller-sized jewelry watches, a trend that has been seen on the wrists of both men and women on red carpets and otherwise. Also offered in multiple millimeter sizes, these models feature iridescent mother-of-pearl dials etched in swirling patterns stemming from the emblematic Constellation star that sits at 6 o’clock.
Interestingly, this pattern – created using an electrochemical laser etching technology – was introduced originally by the brand roughly seventeen years ago. However, with advancements in technology and enhanced creativity, the design takes on a different spirit through an array of colors and sizes.
Each of these jewelry-like editions features half-moon facets on each end of the case as well as a diamond set bezel that threads between the Constellation’s recognizable “claws.”
Similar to the Constellation watches released earlier in 2024, there are also twenty total novelty options in this collection, with two quartz versions in 28mm and 25mm sizes and a 29mm version equipped with the brand’s automatic Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8700 movement viewable through a sapphire crystal caseback.
With the general rise in interest for smaller timepieces, Omega really hit the mark with its 2024 Constellation models, which makes us all excited about what this year has in store. To learn more, including pricing of specific Constellation models, please visit the Omega website.