Omega ambassadors Cindy Crawford and Nicole Kidman personify the elegance of Constellation "Manhattan" (Photos: Omega)
The Constellation has undergone various guises in the last 66 years. Launched in Shanghai last week in the presence of Omega ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Cindy Crawford, the latest Constellation “Manhattan”, the watch that debuted the now iconic claws on the bezel in 1982, is unquestionably the most sophisticated incarnation yet.
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Clockwise from top left: Silk-embossed champagne dial, crystal silvery dial, sun-brushed brown dial and sun-brushed blue dial (Photos: Omega)
Above Clockwise from top left: Silk-embossed champagne dial, crystal silvery dial, sun-brushed brown dial and sun-brushed blue dial (Photos: Omega)

Dialing it up

There are no less than seven dials to choose from, each infusing the watch with a unique character. It ranges from the minimalist chic of crystal silver and understated glamour of silk-embossed silver to the solid colours of sun-brushed grey, brown and blue. Then there is the luxurious shine of sun-brushed or silk-embossed gold champagne, just what the style doctor prescribed for the glamorous year-end soirees.

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Constellation "Manhattan" in 18k Sedna Gold (Photo: Omega)
Above Constellation "Manhattan" in 18k Sedna Gold (Photo: Omega)

Material girl

Variety is also the way to go here. Go for optimal opulence with the proprietary 18k Sedna gold or clock in at the office with the stainless steel version. But there is no reason why a lady can’t have it both ways, mixing high and low with combinations of Sedna and yellow gold with stainless steel.

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Omega ambassadors Cindy Crawford and Nicole Kidman personify the elegance of Constellation "Manhattan" (Photos: Omega)
Above Omega ambassadors Cindy Crawford and Nicole Kidman personify the elegance of Constellation "Manhattan" (Photo: Omega)

Refined aesthetics

Over the years, the Constellation has become a symbol of elegance. With the new collection, the details are even more refined. The case sizes, for instance, are in petite 25mm, 28mm and 29mm. The bezel is slimmer too, complemented by narrower Roman numerals that are engraved on it and the four claws that seem to hold it in place. Some models feature diamonds on the bezel.

The case sides have also been bevelled and polished for a better sense of elegance and finesse, qualities that are helped along by the skeletonised hands and slim indexes inspired by the triangular facets of Manhattan’s Freedom Tower.

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More refined details including slimmer bezel and claws as well as a crown with half-moon teeth (Photo: Omega)
Above More refined details including slimmer bezel and claws as well as a crown with half-moon teeth (Photo: Omega)

Crowning glory

The teeth on the crown are painstakingly shaped into half-moons, a barely perceptible detail but nonetheless a very nice touch.

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Open caseback revealing a Master Chronometer and closed caseback adorned with eight stars above the observatory (Photos: Omega)
Above Open caseback revealing a Master Chronometer and closed caseback adorned with eight stars above the observatory (Photo: Omega)

Power pack

The 25mm and 28mm models are endowed with the highly precise Calibre 4061 quartz movement. These models come with a closed caseback adorned with the drawing of the Geneva Observatory and eight stars that represent the eight world records Omega set for chronometric precision between 1933 and 1952.

Meanwhile, the 29mm boasts a Master Chronometer movement that must pass eight tests set by the Swiss Federation Institute of Metrology (METAS) to prove a superior standard of precision, performance and, most notably, magnetic resistance. The movement is visible via the domed sapphire caseback.

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