The Constellation is Omega's oldest continuous collection and, by stock, one of its largest: we have 369 Constellations in stock, from $790 to $54,120. It is also the Omega that people most often recognize without reading the dial, because of four small "claws" on the bezel. This guide explains where those come from, how the collection is organized today, and how to choose between sizes and movements.
By the numbers: Switzerland exported CHF 25.9 billion of watches in 2024, 2.8% less than in 2023, in 15.3 million pieces (9.4% fewer), according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (swissinfo.ch, 30 January 2025).
Where the Constellation comes from
Omega launched the Constellation in 1952 as its precision watch for everyday wear. The early models are known for the faceted "pie-pan" dial and the star emblem, which the collection still uses. In the United States the name was briefly unavailable, so some early pieces were sold here as Globemaster, a name Omega revived much later.
In 1982 Omega introduced the Constellation Manhattan, and with it the design most buyers know today: a case and bracelet that flow into each other, and four griffes (French for claws) at 3 and 9 o'clock. The claws were functional as well as decorative: they held the crystal and gasket against the case for water resistance. Every Constellation since has been a variation on that 1982 idea, while the Globemaster line, introduced in 2015, went back to the pie-pan dial of the 1950s.
The Constellation today: three families
Manhattan. The modern Manhattan keeps the claws and the integrated bracelet, mostly in smaller sizes and often with diamonds or mother-of-pearl dials. We have 13 in stock.
Constellation Co-Axial / Master Chronometer. The larger mechanical models, in steel, two-tone and gold, with Omega's co-axial movements. In stock: 37 chronometers.
Quartz. Omega still makes the Constellation in quartz, especially in the small sizes worn as jewelry watches. We have 12 in 28 mm and 6 in 25 mm.
Choosing a size
Our Constellations range from 24 mm to 41 mm. As a rule of thumb:
- 24–29 mm: the classic ladies' Constellation, usually quartz, often with diamonds on the bezel or dial.
- 34–36 mm: the most versatile size; works on most wrists and suits both mechanical and quartz models.
- 38–41 mm: the men's mechanical Constellation, where the claws and the bracelet look most architectural.
Because the bracelet is integrated, the case size understates how the watch wears: a 39 mm Constellation looks wider on the wrist than a 39 mm watch on a strap. If you are between two sizes, the smaller one is usually right.
Quartz or automatic?
A quartz Constellation is thinner, lighter and keeps time without being worn, which is why it dominates the small sizes. An automatic Constellation carries a co-axial movement and the Master Chronometer certification on recent models. Our guide automatic vs quartz covers the trade-offs in full. In short: choose quartz for a dress or jewelry watch you wear occasionally, and automatic if you want the mechanical engineering and will wear it often.
Reading the reference
Every modern Constellation has a 14-digit reference that encodes the collection, material, size, movement and dial, for example 131.33.41.21.01.001. Our guide How to read Omega reference numbers decodes it digit by digit. The references we have most of right now:
- 131.28.29.20.99.002 — 5 in stock, from $8,095
- 131.33.41.21.01.001 — 4 in stock, from $5,115
- 131.10.34.20.02.001 — 4 in stock, from $5,115
What to check on a pre-owned Constellation
- The claws and bezel. Polishing can soften the edges of the claws and the bezel numerals; compare with photos of a new example.
- The bracelet. Integrated bracelets stretch over years of wear. Check the links for play and make sure enough links come with the watch for your wrist.
- Diamonds. On gem-set models, every stone should be present and set evenly; ask whether the setting is original.
- Quartz batteries. A quartz Constellation that has stopped usually needs only a battery, but an old leaking battery can damage the movement. Ask when it was last changed.
- Papers. The warranty card shows the serial number, which should match the case. See why box and papers matter.
Every watch we sell is checked by our specialist before it ships; see how we check every watch.
Constellation, Seamaster or De Ville?
If you want one Omega for everything, the Seamaster Aqua Terra is the more casual choice. If you want a dress watch on a strap, look at the De Ville. The Constellation sits between them: dressy, but on a bracelet you can wear every day.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Omega Constellation have claws on the bezel?
The four claws, introduced with the Constellation Manhattan in 1982, originally held the crystal and gasket against the case for water resistance. They have since become the collection's signature.
When was the Omega Constellation launched?
In 1952. The Manhattan design with the claws followed in 1982, and the Globemaster line, inspired by the 1950s models, in 2015.
Is the Omega Constellation a men's or a women's watch?
Both. Sizes from 24 to 29 mm are mostly worn as ladies' watches; 38 to 41 mm models are the men's mechanical Constellations; 34 to 36 mm suits most wrists.
Are quartz Constellations worth buying?
Yes, as long as you want a light, thin watch that keeps time without being worn. They cost less than the automatic models and are the usual choice in the smaller sizes.
