Trendy Omega Constellation Double Eagle Chronograph

The Omega Constellation Double Eagle reference 1619.51.91 chronograph is without doubt the sportiest and most agressive looking iteration of the Constellation brand. The Double-Eagle is a nich market high-end tool watch with head-turning looks that are both sophisticated and ‘edgy’. 

Sitting in a relatively conservative case body, the DE draws its exceptional overall effect from the colour palet, dial furniture and other stylistic elements that are used to accessorise the case: Solid 18k red gold chunky markers are applied on a checkerboard dial (in one version) with a stark white chapter ring; Stubbed dauphine hands, merging sub-dials contrasting with a minimalist sub-dial at nine o’clock come together to create a striking visage. 

The model featured in this review is powered by the Omega calibre 3313. It pays to know that in its earlier incarnation there were quite a few concerns expressed by collectors about the movement while there has been a low incidence of public reports about the reliability of the calibre 3313 Double Eagle model.

Calibre 3313 is a self-winding chronograph movement with column wheel mechanism and Co-Axial Escapement for greater precision stability and durability of the movement. It features a free sprung balance and a 52 hour power reserve. Water resistance is guaranteed to 100 metres. The 41mm case is fitted with a domed anti-reflective, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

Latest Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra

Since the launch of the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra collection in 2008, it has been warmly received by watch enthusiasts who have raved about its blend of eye-catching design excellence and innovating watchmaking technology. OMEGA now introduces another member of the family, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph. 

Like the rest of the collection, its trademark feature is its “Teak Concept” dial whose vertical lines are reminiscent of the wooden decks on luxury boats. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph’s luxury-finished movement combines OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 3313 and a free sprung balance for outstanding long-term performance. Its precision is confirmed by its COSC-certification as a chronometer. The self-winding watch is also equipped with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism.

The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph is available in four case materials: 18 Ct white gold, 18 Ct red gold, stainless steel or, in the bi-coloured version pictured here featuring 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel. The watches are available either with OMEGA’s patented screw-and-pin system bracelets in corresponding metals or with integrated alligator straps. 

The polished, brushed 44 mm case is water resistant to 150 metres (500 feet) and has a polished bezel. The matt polished screw-in crown is embossed with a polished OMEGA logo and the case features polished chronograph pushers. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph has a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, as well as a polished screw-in caseback whose sapphire crystal makes it possible to see the Co-Axial movement at work.

The model featured above has a red gold bezel with matching middle bracelet links, reminiscent of some of the classic Omega models 0f the 1960s and 70s.

Click here for a recent review of this model

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT Chronograph

This new Acqua Terra has particularly striking design features. Its “Teak Concept” dial has vertical lines which are reminiscent of the wooden decks on luxury boats. The Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph’s luxury-finished movement combines OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 3603 and a free sprung balance for outstanding long-term performance. Its precision is confirmed by its COSC-certification as a chronometer. 

The watch’s GMT hand, which makes one complete rotation in 24 hours, is ideally suited for people who travel frequently between time zones or who need to know what time it is another part of the world.

Omega Museum Collection Racend Timer

The Omega Museum Collection arose from a desire to combine the historical milestones of timekeeping with the technology of the 21st century. The collection mainly targets collectors and lovers of extraordinary watches. The first model of the collection introduced in 2003 was that of the 1938 Pilots Watch and since then some truly magnificent designs have been resurrected, including the the 1915 Tonneau, the 1932 Marine, the 1951 Cosmic,the 1945 Chronograph, and more recently the Racend Timer.

The Omega Museum Collection is one of Omega’s show piece collections and the 1949 Racend Timeris a worthy member of this exclusive collection. It takes its name from a ground-breaking piece of Omega timekeeping that solved the problem of multiple finish line arrivals in track competitions.  

Powered by a self-winding Omega 3201 caliber movement, it is governed by a column-wheel and offers 12-hour and 30-minute counters, as well as small seconds. The caliber also incorporates a free-sprung balance and the Omega Co-Axial Escapement. The case size is 39mm.

Only 1,949 pieces of this beautiful watch were produced. It features brushed finishes on the sides, contrasted by polished elements on the lugs tops and bezel. The opaline silver dial features both a tachymeter and pulsometer scale.

The varied elements such as triangular gold hour figures, leaf hands, and the stylised Omega logo recall the design of those much-loved and highly collecible vintage Omega chronographs of the 1940s and 50s.  

Click here for a short review and specifications of the watch.

The Latest Omega Speedmaster Caliber 3313

The new automatic coaxial version (311.30.44.50.01.002) of the iconic Omega Speedmaster is purpose designed for those who like big tool watches. At 44.25mm, it’s noticeably larger than the 3570 with a moderately wider tachymeter bezel.

This new model offers the advantage of a date display and automatic winding, but could lose the attention of a few purists with the evolution of the dial design. However, for any fourty-plus owner, the larger markings make the watch that little bit easier to read.

This large and latest Speedmaster is noticeably heavier than the moonwatch and features a new bracelet design using screws instead of the old pins and collars they used on earlier models. The specifications of the watch are as follows:

…Omega caliber 3313 Self-winding Chronograph
…Co-Axial Escapement
…Column wheel mechanism
…52 Hour Power reserve
…Date at the 6 o’clock position
…Continuous seconds hand at the 9 o’clock position
…Matte black dial with recessed sub dials for elapsed minutes and hours
…Scratch resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside
…Scratch resistant sapphire crystal exhibit case back
…Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet)

This new version maintains a strong design link with its predecessors while offering new features. It satisfies many of the demands of contemporary owners, and while some may feel that the exhibition case back is a travesty, it certainly is a joy to look through and see the movement go through its paces.

the Fredric Piguet co-designed and manufactured Calibre 33xx has had a mixed reception amongst some Omega aficionados, notably the late Chuck Maddox. But, while it may have its detractors it certainly has a voluble cohort of followers on the major watch forums.

Click here for an even-handed review of the calibre 3313

Click here for a WatchTime article reviewing a range of contemporary chronograph movements

Click here for a comprehensive Omega audio-visual presentation on the history of the Speedmaster