ReviewA Classic In Colour: Omega’s Latest Constellation Globemaster Annual Calendar

For watch aficionados, Omega might be synonymous with the legendary Speedmaster and Seamaster collections but the Swiss watch manufacturer have a lot more to offer than what meets the eye. A case in point is the Constellation collection that’s even older than the aforementioned iconic lines. Launched in 1948, this range has gone through several transformations over the years, and is particularly recognised for its exquisite, classic looking novelties. One of the most alluring offerings of the Constellation range is the Globemaster that takes its signature design cues—the fluted bezel and the pie-pan dial—from the original Constellation watch. Since its introduction in 2015 as Omega’s first timepiece to be equipped with their ground-breaking Master Chronometer Calibre 8900, the Globemaster has carved a niche for itself in the market and enjoys an ardent following of admirers.

A year after its successful release, the brand introduced Globemaster’s annual calendar edition which also received widespread praise and appreciation by collectors and critics alike. An annual calendar needs to be adjusted only once every year, on March 1, after February, while the differences between the number of days in the other months are automatically taken care of. Now, Omega have decided to expand this family by adding three brand-new annual calendar models in a variety of colours and materials. Let’s take a closer look at them and understand what makes them so special.

Here are the platinum editions of the Globemaster Annual Calendar, which come with sandblasted pin-pan dials in grey colour

The two editions feature 18-karat white gold timekeeping hands and hour markers that are filled with a burgundy or green enamel

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A Tribute To The Original Constellation Collection

To completely understand the origin of the Globemaster, we need to trace the Constellation collection’s history, which goes back to the late 1940s. Omega released it as a range of dress watches, equipped with extraordinarily accurate movements and it gained immense popularity for its distinguishing features such as the 12-sided pie-pan dial, the star symbol at the six o’clock position and the sealed caseback with a medallion featuring the Observatory of Geneva crowned by a constellation of eight stars. However, in the later years, Constellation timepieces changed dramatically and by the 1960s, they came with integrated designs and quartz movements. This transformation eventually led to the birth of the Constellation Manhattan collection.

Omega initially launched the Globemaster as a simple time-and-date model but after the incredible response it received from customers, they went on to launch a variant with the annual calendar complication

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Here is the 2016 model of the Globemaster Annual Calendar that features a grey dial with sunburst finish and blue timekeeping hands and hour markers

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As one of the more complex timepieces offered by Omega, the Globemaster Annual Calendar is the perfect amalgamation of retro-inspired looks and forward-looking technology

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It was only in 2015 that the Constellation returned to its original concept of pie-pan dials with the introduction of the Globemaster—a sub-collection of timepieces that offered, as mentioned before, Omega’s first Master Chronometer movement. The brand initially launched the timepiece as a simple time-and-date model but after the incredible response it received from customers, they went on to launch a variant with the annual calendar complication. As one of the more complex timepieces offered by Omega, the Globemaster Annual Calendar is the perfect amalgamation of retro-inspired looks and forward-looking technology. With the release of three new variants, the brand have infused rich and vibrant colour to an otherwise relatively sober collection.

The Globemaster Annual Calendar has been particularly recognised for its 12-sided pie-pan dial and the flawlessly polished fluted bezel. Here is the two-tone version of the watch that features a Sedna gold bezel and a stainless steel case

With A Classic Design, And A Delight To Wear

Like its predecessors, the new Globemasters features an ovoid-shaped case with seamlessly flowing, tapered lugs, enhancing the wearable quality of the watches. Although these 41mm timepieces are slightly larger than the usual Globemaster models that measure 39mm, they don’t feel bulky or overwhelming even on petite wrists. In terms of finishing, Omega have once again exemplified their skilful craftsmanship and attention to detail. Owing to their deep brushing and bright polishing, each model offers top-notch quality and robustness. On top of everything, there’s the fluted bezel that adds a certain heft to the overall look of the watches. Omega complete the design with an exhibition caseback, featuring the embedded observatory medallion that has been the Constellation family’s hallmark for decades. The timepieces are available in stainless steel, 18-karat Sedna gold, or a combination of both materials.

Like its predecessors, the new Globemasters features an ovoid-shaped case with seamlessly flowing, tapered lugs, enhancing the wearable quality of the watches

Although these 41mm timepieces are slightly larger than the usual Globemaster models that measure 39mm, they don’t feel bulky or overwhelming even on petite wrists

Omega have once again exemplified their skilful craftsmanship and attention to detail. Owing to their deep brushing and bright polishing, each model offers top-notch quality and robustness

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A Visual Treat To Look At

Coming to the centre of attraction here, the dials of new Globemaster models are nothing short of breath-taking. Featuring the famous 12-sided pie-pan design, they retain the elegant cursive text indications for each month just like their previous avatars. When first introduced in 2016, the highly stylised text came as a surprise for many as Omega are known for their clean and pared-down dials. Apart from this, the dials come with a sunburst finish and present central, three-hand timekeeping, in addition to a fourth hand that points to the correct month. At the six o’clock position, just below the Constellation collection’s star symbol, we have a neatly placed date window. What’s more, the faceted timekeeping hands and hour indices have been given luminous inserts, making them perfectly legible even in low-light conditions. The stainless steel model features an olive green-coloured dial, the two-tone variant comes in burgundy, and the Sedna gold one with champagne pink display. What makes them even more special is the fact each iteration has a distinct identity. For instance, the stainless steel version features hands and markers crafted from 18-karat white gold, while the two-tone variant consists of Sedna gold-built hands and markers. Notably, the Sedna gold edition is the first timepiece by Omega to use black onyx inserts for its hour and minute hands. Up until this edition, their watches had only featured black onyx inserts in applied markers.

The dials of new Globemaster models are nothing short of breath-taking. Featuring the famous 12-sided pie-pan design, they retain the elegant cursive text for each month

Flaunting a sunburst finish, the display comes with a central, three-hand timekeeping, in addition to a fourth hand that points to the current month

What’s more, the faceted timekeeping hands and hour indices have been given luminous inserts, making them perfectly legible even in low-light conditions

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Embodying The Highest Standards Of Performance

Powering these new models is the Omega automatic in-house calibre 8922, except for the Sedna gold variant, which is equipped with the calibre 8923. However, both the movements are more or less the same. They both come with the watchmaker’s trademark co-axial escapement and are certified as Master Chronometers, approved by METAS (the Federal Institute of Metrology, Switzerland). This certification is awarded after the watches are tested for accuracy under different extreme conditions, such as magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss. Thanks to the double-barrel movement, they have the capability of running autonomously for 55 hours at the frequency of 25,500vph. The calibres have identical finishing and feature the brand’s signature arabesque stripes across both, the winding rotor and the full bridges. One significant difference is that the calibre 8922 comes with a rhodium-plated rotor, whereas the calibre 8923 offers a Sedna gold rotor.

A Perfect Companion For The Wrist

All three new variants are presented with elegant and comfortable alligator leather straps but in different colours. The stainless steel variant is paired with a dial-matching olive green strap. Similarly, the two-tone version comes with a burgundy strap and the Sedna gold edition with a stylish black strap.

Powering these new models is the Omega automatic in-house calibre 8922, except for the Sedna gold variant, which is equipped with the calibre 8923. Both are more or less the same

The calibres come with the watchmaker’s trademark co-axial escapement and are certified as Master Chronometers, approved by METAS (the Federal Institute of Metrology, Switzerland)

These timepieces make for a formidable addition to the Globemaster family as they flawlessly embody the collection’s philosophy of combining classic looks with forward-looking technology.