There were rumours, last year, at Baselworld that a redesigned Constellation was in the works for the 2015 watch fair. A redesigned Constellation it may not be but a new watch series inspired from the Constellation watch of 1952 has been introduced by Omega, at Baselworld 2015. Omega Globemaster, a new series with a new design and more importantly, a movement that is the most advanced mechanical movement developed by the brand. What’s the big deal about this movement?
A chronometer (telling time) feature of a ‘mechanical’ watch is judged by the accuracy it delivers in telling time without (its mechanical parts) being effected by moisture, gravity and magnetic field. The certification by COSC (Controle Official Suisse des Chronometres) that certifies watches as ‘Chronometers’, has been around for decades. To add to this certification METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) has introduced a new certification process. The Omega Master Chronometer movement, on the Omega Globemaster is the first one in the world, to clear this test.
What is the METAS certification about? In addition to measuring the performance of a watch in daily wearing conditions, a watch must function properly even when exposed to strong magnetic fields. Magnetic fields as strong as 15000 Gauss. Omega Globemaster has succeeded in passing the magnetic field test and its movement has thus been awarded the ‘Master Chronometer’ certification.
The eight criteria that are measured during the certification process are
- The function of the movement during exposure to a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss
- The deviation of the running time of the watch in six positions
- The deviation of the running time of the watch between 0 and 2/3 power reserve
- The function of the watch during exposure to a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss
- The deviation of the average daily precision of the watch after exposure to a magnetic field of 15,000 gauss
- The average daily precision of the watch in tests replicating daily wearing condition (six positions, two temperatures)
- The power reserve of the watch (autonomy – functioning without winding).
- The water resistance of the watch (tested in water)
Now lets take a closer look at the design of the novelty series by Omega at Baselworld 2015, with some hands on pics. Omega Globemaster dial has a distinctive ‘pie-pan’ design. This pie pan design was earlier introduced in a Constellation watch, more than half century back. The pie pan design has been used several times after that in Omega Constellation watches. The new Omega Globemaster uses the pie pan design with a suitable combination of fluted bezel and rather elongated lugs.
Omega Globemaster series has some dapper dials with metal and leather combination bracelets. The Omega Globemaster series will be priced from 6300 CHF to 37000 CHF for the full Platinum Omega Globemaster watch. Fit to be the next Omega dress watch in your collection. Omega Globemaster will be available in stores starting November 2015.
Unlike several swiss brands who have made their foray into smartwatches, the primary novelty of Baselworld 2015, Omega chose to better its standing as a mechanical watch maker.
In India, Omega Globemaster price will be from nearly 4 Lakh Rupees onwards or nearly 6330 USD, without taxes.
Omega Globemaster Gold Model Specifications
MOVEMENT
- – Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8901
- – Self-winding in both directions
- – Watch officially certified by METAS
- – Jewels: 39
- – Frequency: 25’200 A/h (3.5 Hz)
- – Power reserve: 60 hours
- – Exclusive features with:
o Anti-magnetic 15’000 Gauss o Time zone function
o Silicon “Si14” balance spring
DISPLAY
o Omega free sprung-balance
o Co-Axial Escapement, 3 levels o 2 barrels mounted in series
o NIVACHOC
– Special luxury finish:
o 18K SednaTM gold rotor and
balance bridge
o Geneva waves in arabesque o Blackened screws, barrels and
balance wheel
– Central hour-minute-seconds hands, date window at 6H
MATERIAL
- – Case and clasp: 18K SednaTM or yellow gold
- – Bracelet: leatherCASE
- – Diameter: 39.00 mm Height: 12.53 mm
- – Water resistant up to: 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)
- – Brushed case with polished bevels, embossed Ω on polished crown
- – Polished fluted bezel
- – Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflectivetreatment on both sides
- – 4-screw brushed and polished caseback;18K SednaTM or yellow gold central Observatory medallion set in a scratch-resistant sapphire crystalDIAL
- – Opaline silvery “Pie Pan” dial inspired by the first 1952s Constellation model
- – Applied polished 18K SednaTM or yellow gold indexes, facetted and diamond-polished; indexes with Super-LumiNova
- – Applied 18K SednaTM or yellow gold and Constellation starHANDS
– Polished 18K SednaTM or yellow gold facetted hands with Super-LumiNova
STRAP
- – Brown leather strap on foldover clasp
- – Fitting: 20 mm between lugs, 18 mm on claspSPECIFICATIONS
- – 4-year warranty
- – “Globemaster” model, inspired by Omega Constellation of 1970s
- – The name “Globemaster” was originally used for the Constellation timepieces thatwere produced and distributed in the USA in the 1950s
*Images: Shilpa Dhamija, Omega
