Omega Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar

Omega Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar

In a year defined by colourful timepieces, the newest OMEGA Globemaster has defied the trend by going with a traditional combination of black and steel. When first released in 2015, the Omega Globemaster was a hot favourite among Omega fans and collectors. They were very pleased that with the Globemaster, Omega had revived the fluted bezel and pie pan dial, icons of the Constellation day date series of the past.

The Omega Constellation series, the Globemaster’s predecessor, heavily influences its design, and was once the flagship in the Omega collection, dating back to 1952. The first Omega Constellation models had bumper movements and distinctive diamond shaped hour markers. They also featured the diamond shaped hour markers on their pie-pan dials and dauphine hands which were used till the late 1960s. The Constellation was highly prized by watch lovers for the lugs design and hour markers that were often made in gold.

The Globemaster is arguably a homage to the Constellation, bringing back features like the pie-pan dial, the star, as well as the medallion on the caseback featuring an observatory surrounded by eight stars. It also sports the title “Constellation” on the rim of its caseback.

The Case and Dial

At 41 mm, the Globemaster case in stainless steel is fitted with its classic fluted bezel – which has been crafted in the tough and scratchproof material known as tungsten carbide.

The diamond-polished black dial is in the pie-pan style inspired by the first Constellation model from 1952. Each facet includes a month of the year, while the hands, indexes and Constellation star are in 18K white gold.

Its dial also features a script-styled “Globemaster” title, the label “Master Chronometer”, a star and a date window at the 6 o’clock. Its hands and markers are treated with Super-Luminova and the case is fitted with a dome shaped sapphire crystal treated with double sided anti-reflective coating. All models are water resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet.

The Movement

The open caseback showcases the famous Constellation Observatory medallion, which is crafted in stainless steel.

The watch is presented on a glossy black leather strap and is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8922. The Co-axial movement uses a modified lever escapement similar to the detent escapement and was invented by English watchmaker, George Daniels.

This automatic movement, is both Master Chronometer- and METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology)-certified. It boasts a power reserve of 55 hours, and it is magnetic resistant of up to 15,000 Gauss.

Concluding Thoughts

The OMEGA Globemaster Annual Calendar looks classic, but maintains design cues of a more sporty nature. The case is mostly brushed, and even the bezel has a matte finish. This is possibly in clear refute of the Rolex Datejust, or similar variant Sky-Dweller which is fully polished. The OMEGA offers a more understated look, but with a subtle show of force in its beautifully polished black dial. The dial design is a considered effort to keep the centre dial mostly clear.

The month indicators are kept to the periphery, between the hour markers, and selected via a pointer. This is a simple solution to avoid the use of a subdial, but in comparison, the Sky-Dweller has a more impressive color changing mechanism which uses the hour markers to represent the month via a change of color. That said, the OMEGA Globemaster Annual Calendar has one of the neatest dial designs in the category without the need for many display windows like with other Annual Calendar watches. It has a relatively slim case profile which adds a plus to comfort and wearability. One qualm one might have however, is with the many font types on the dial and the 41 mm case size. Keeping it at 39 mm like with the time-only Globemaster may have been more ideal. The watch in steel and leather strap is priced at SGD$11,700.00.