Given its gift for gung-ho relationships – James Bond, the Olympic Games and even space itself – it’s easy to forget Omega’s history of creating supremely elegant dress watches. The launch of the 2026 Constellation Observatory is a timely reminder of this legacy. And it is certainly the dressiest timepiece Omega has produced for some time.
The Constellation was launched in 1952, inspired by the Centenary model created in 1948 to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. This limited-edition timepiece was so successful that it was chosen to form the basis of an entirely new collection. The result was an immediate hit and even young Elvis Presley was a fan.
The name was inspired by the engraved image on its caseback of an astronomical observatory surrounded by eight stars. The dome itself is based on the Observatoire de Besançon in France, site of a number of historically significant chronometry competitions. The stars represented the two chronometer records and six further awards Omega had received since 1933.
While paying homage to its heritage, the new 2026 model is no slouch when it comes to innovation. Boasting the latest Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, it has a 15,000 gauss magnetic resistance, offering improved accuracy and reliability. Omega’s commitment to sustainability is apparent in the use of ethically sourced materials such as recycled gold and responsibly produced stainless steel.
The 39.4mm case comes in steel, gold or a platinum-gold alloy and the shape is a nod to the original with its distinctive dog-leg lugs. The Constellation also introduced the emblematic convex ‘pie-pan’ 12-facet dial, while the new dials come in an array of colours, from deep blues to vibrant golds, with kite-shaped indexes matched with dauphine hands. The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the new in-house movement and the original Observatory medallion integrated onto the rotor.