Omega Constellation Observatory Collection Hands-On

Mach · 2026-03-28T17:00:48Z

Mach reviews Omega's new Constellation Observatory Collection: pie-pan dial, thick case, awkward lugs, and Master Chronometer without a seconds hand. Is it a home run or a miss?

Mach

WPS member · Omega forum

61 replies2071 views12 photos

Mach, a discerning collector, shares his initial impressions and live photographs of Omega's new Constellation Observatory collection. His candid assessment delves into the design choices, proportions, and value proposition, offering a vital, real-world perspective that complements official press releases and helps fellow enthusiasts navigate this significant release from Omega.

61 collectors discussing this on the WatchProSite forumJoin the Conversation →

I’ve been patiently - or more appropriately, impatiently—waiting for Omega to revisit their Constellation line with a true re-edition or tribute piece. It always felt like a matter of when, not if.

So, I was genuinely excited on Thursday morning when I saw the press releases on the unveiling of this new Constellation Observatory collection across the various watch media sites, followed by Emmanuel’s (quattro) excellent write-up here.

That excitement, however, quickly faded.

First the case thickness gave me pause. Then came the MSRP—which, frankly, shocked me!🤬 Still, I held off judgment until I could see them in the flesh.

Yesterday afternoon, I finally did during a visit to the local OB:

There’s a lot to like. The pie-pan dial is beautifully executed, especially with the guilloché pattern along the outer edge—it really captures the spirit of vintage Omega Constellation models:

I was particularly drawn to the black dial variant—the polished ceramic looks fantastic—but it was disappointing to see it lacks the guilloché detailing found on the other versions. That omission makes it feel slightly less special.

At 39.4mm in diameter and 12.23mm thick, I can’t help but feel this is on the larger side for a dress-oriented piece. It comes across as a compromise rather than a deliberate design choice—neither truly vintage-inspired in size nor fully modern in presence.

The lugs sat awkwardly high off my wrist, not flushed:

Of course, Omega is highlighting that this is the first two-handed watch to achieve Master Chronometer certification. While that’s technically impressive, I’m not convinced it adds meaningful value in this context. Chronometer certification is fundamentally about precision timekeeping —but without a seconds hand, how practical is that precision to the wearer?

All in all, this feels like it could have been a home run—but instead lands as a solid line drive.

There are undeniably beautiful elements here, but for me, not enough to justify the price. I would have preferred to see more emphasis on classic dress watch proportions—a slightly smaller case and reduced thickness would have gone a long way.

Curious to hear what others think.🤔

Key Points from the Discussion

The new Constellation Observatory collection, despite its heritage-inspired dial, misses essential elements like appropriate size and thickness, making it less refined than vintage pie-pan models.
The absence of a seconds hand renders the Master Chronometer certification practically pointless for the wearer, as precision cannot be easily observed or adjusted.
The 39.4mm diameter and 12.23mm thickness are considered excessive for a dress watch, approaching the dimensions of a Rolex Submariner (which offers 300m water resistance compared to the Constellation's 30m).
The high MSRP is a significant concern, with some contributors suggesting that the watches might become a good value on the secondary market at half price in a few years.
The lugs sit awkwardly high, creating a noticeable gap between the case and the strap, which detracts from the watch's fit on the wrist.
The black dial variant, while visually appealing with its polished ceramic, lacks the guilloché detailing found on other versions, which some find makes it feel less special, while others appreciate its more reserved aesthetic.

The Discussion

Besançon

Mar 28, 2026

…adding where shouldn’t (size: circumference and height), and removing where they shouldn’t (date window). Exactly the case with the new model. Too bad because I like the steel with gold pointers and indexes. Now, the thin Rolex Land Dweller is great.

ZSHSZ

Mar 28, 2026

Then, when I saw the luck of seconds hand, it was full stop. As you said, totally pointless the certification, without a way to adjusted and enjoy it. I also find the 39mm to be large and the 12.2mm thickness, that’s Rolex Submariner territory(300m water resistance not 30m). As for the price, I think it’s way overpriced, but that’s not unique to Omega, the whole watch industry is asinine… I believe that five years down the line(if you don’t needed tomorrow), for half price, it will be a great bu

myles721

Mar 28, 2026

As far as I know all the new movements are METAS so I’m not sure what the point is? I definitely think I will be purchasing one or the other. As far as I’m concerned (ridiculous name aside) the Land Dweller is a Datejust re-tread. Thinner is always better but I can live with omegas recent efforts to slim down.

mhz vph

Mar 28, 2026

I'm not sure why, but I think the black colorway looks great as is. I'm glad there is one available without the guilloche for thsoe who want a more reserved look. The guilloche is lovely but I think at times I would feel like its a little too busy, on a dial that is already more complex than typical.

ZSHSZ

Mar 28, 2026

The name is the last thing I care when I decide on a watch, on the other hand, this Constellation is sadly the ruined version of the original(at least for me), regardless of how they call it…

myles721

Mar 28, 2026

If every time I stare down at my wrist and think: what a stupid name …it kinda kills it for me…🤷🏻‍♂️

Continue the conversation

This thread is active on the Omega forum with 61 replies. Share your knowledge with fellow collectors.

Join the Discussion →

Omega Constellation Observatory Collection Hands-On

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum