The Constellation family – like this just serviced 1972 Omega Constellation Ref. 168.0057 Chronometer automatic here – has been around for nearly 70 years as one of Omega’s oldest collections.
First appearing in 1952 with the chronometer Calibre 354 automatic movement, the Constellation was designed to be Omega’s bellwether watch. It's claim to fame was Omega winning yet another chronometer timing competition – meaning the movement was tested for precision in five different positions and temperatures, certified, and stamped with a caliber number as a signifier it passed inspection – at the Geneva Observatory.
The Constellation was named in honor of the Constellation jet that flew during World War II and originally branded as the “Globemaster” in the United States; the latter nomenclature was dropped in 1956 as Douglas Aircraft – manufacturers of huge transport planes of the same name – held the trademark. Fast forward to the 21st century, which featured Omega purchasing the same trademark in preparation for the debut of its Globemaster watch, which channels the spirit of the original.
Of note, Constellation casebacks commonly feature a medallion with the Observatory of Geneva crowned by a constellation of eight stars – the stars represent eight chronometer competition wins, a world record at the time.
The first run of Constellations used the Omega Caliber 35x bumper movement which was replaced in 1955 by the full rotor Caliber 50x series. The early automatic bumper movements received the moniker from the slight thud the wearer perceived when the rotor hit a spring and bumped back.
Unlike modern automatics that perform a full 360-degree spin, the rotor of these bumper movements moved back and forth at roughly 120 degrees "bumping off" a pair of springs on the opposite sides of the watch. Subsequently, in the 1970’s, Omega introduced the final Constellation movements, the 1000 series calibres, with the Cal. 1011 and 1021 being the standouts of the movement line.
Since 1952, the Constellation has undergone countless aesthetic transformations, from the pie-pan dials of the 1950s to the ultra-thin quartz watches of the 1970’s leading to the consolidation of the collection in 1982 with the Constellation Manhattan. Constellation movements were constantly upgraded and for decades it remained the watch to first see the best new movements from the manufacturer.
This Omega comes on a premium leather strap, and with nylon strap, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.
1972 Omega Constellation Ref. 168.0057 Chronometer Dress Watch
DIAL: Omega and "Chronometer, Officially Certified"-signed dial, with correct hands. Lumed indices and hands, which shine when exposed to strong light.
CASE: 35mm (w/o crown, 37mm with) x 40.5mm stainless steel case, with sharp caselines; original caseback features a crisply defined Constellation Geneva Observatory emblem.
CRYSTAL: Flawless crystal, no imperfections.
BAND: This Omega Constellation comes on a premium Strap Geeks light brown leather strap; it also comes with a dark blue and red nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: An uncommon hi-beat 23 jewel Omega Calibre 1021 automatic mechanical movement, which beats at 28,800 bph; serial number dates this watch to a 1972 manufacture. We have performed a full service on this Omega Constellation.
CROWN: Omega-signed stainless-steel crown.