[Video] A Collector’s Story: The Omega Constellation

Over the past decade, I’ve come very close to purchasing the 2013 Sedna gold debut Constellation several times. Despite the watch being released 10 years ago, the US Omega website and Swatch retail network still has new old-stock available for purchase, as of Feb 25, 2023.

Each time I saw this model in person at Omega Boutiques and Swatch Tourbillon ADs over the past decade, I would briefly fall in love with that that pie pan dial, minute markers in the middle of the dial, arrowhead hour markers, properly proportioned hands length, and brushed roman numeral bezel…. but each time, I walk away because Omega cannot guarantee that they will keep spare leather straps stocked for this LE Connie. With the Constellation’s integrated strap design, I’ve also had no interest from independent leather strap makers I’ve sent inquiries to, on whether they’d be willing to make bespoke replacement straps to fit the watch’s taper and lug cuts.

It had some other, very minor demerits. Like how too many different fonts on the dial. And the letter ‘R’ looks different than the R printed in ‘Chronometer’ in other Constellation models in the same generation. On the 2013 Sedna Gold, the ‘R’ upper loop looks very small and squished… like the window-to-body proportions of recent Range Rover sports and velars. On a gold watch, I want a more fatter, fuller loop in the R.

5 years ago, I passed on this 2013 Connie Sedna and bought a Globemaster. 2 years ago, I passed on the 2013 Connie Sedna gold LE and purchased a rose gold Lange Saxonia. Just 2 weeks ago, when I decided to trade the Saxonia for a different gold watch, I thought of the Constellation 123.53.38.21.02.001 again (still amazes me that this Limited Edition Constellation model of 1952 pieces is still available for purchase new from Omega in 2023). But this time, I passed again, and purchased a Breguet classique 5177.

I think the Breguet 5177 will be the keeper, since it has my birthday on the dial #. The only watch I’d replace the Breguet with is if Omega ever produces a modern Pie Pan constellation with arrowhead markers, correctly proportioned hands, and a silent rotor movement (like the 8901), and classic 1950’s lugs that can fit regular after market straps.