2011 Omega Constellation Co-Axial Steel & Gold 35mm 123.20.35.20.02.002
Ref: 123.20.35.20.02.002
Specification
Lugs : 22mm (Integrated)
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel & 18ct Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Omega box and paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 22mm stainless steel and 18ct yellow gold bracelet with a signed concealed butterfly clasp. The watch is from December 2011 and is sold in worn condition but overall fair condition, as you can see. A full case and bracelet refurb can be provided at an additional cost upon request. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1giR5w8FQNVhrjWODFMzjGX5eptwW-6Dz?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 14:21 - https://youtu.be/vKdh1JEIEGU
The Watch
Here we have a 2011 Omega Constellation Co-Axial Steel & Gold 123.20.35.20.02.002 with a 35mm Steel & 18ct Yellow Gold tonneau case; the distinctive flowing lines of the integrated style bracelet lead to a lug-to-lug length of 41mm and a case thickness of 10.5mm ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, is an 18ct yellow gold signed recessed crown. The 18ct yellow-gold bezel has large engraved Roman numerals and four characteristic “Griffes” or claws; a domed sapphire crystal AR coated on the inside sits above a stunning sunburst silver dial. An outer minute track with lume plots at the hour surrounds applied facet 18ct Yellow gold indexes marking the hours, and at 3 o’clock, a framed date window. Elegant 18ct yellow gold Dauphin hands sit majestically in the centre; at noon, we have the applied Omega motif, and at 6 o’clock, the Constellation Co-Axial Chronometer with an applied 18ct yellow gold star underneath completes this striking dress watch. On the reverse, a screw-down exhibition case back with the details engraved around its edge, inside an Automatic Omega Co-Axial Cal. 2500, 29 jewels, 25,200 beats per hour, Chronometer Certified. This movement is based on the ETA 2892-A2 and was released in 1999, after Omega purchased the patent for the Co-Axial escapement from George Daniels, a renowned English master watchmaker and inventor, in 1993. The watch comes fitted on an integrated 22mm stainless steel and 18ct Yellow gold bracelet with a signed concealed butterfly clasp and comes with its Omega presentation box and paperwork.
Personal Note
As I have said before, my appreciation for the modern Omega Constellation has only grown with time and the more examples I have had the privilege to experience and sell, like this Co-Axial Steel & Gold model in an impressive 35mm is the perfect example of a reference I would happily own and wear myself. I often feel like the modern Constellation is the "Santos" of the Omega world, if you have the chance to see both at the same time, you'll see the subtle similarities on the wrist. Do not hesitate to add this wonderful example to your collection today!
The Brand
They were formerly known as the La Generale Watch Co., founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds. When he died in 1879, his sons carried on his dream. In 1880, they moved to 96 Rue Jakob-Stampfli, where they remain today. The brothers produced their first mass-produced calibre, the Labrador In 1885. Just a few years later, in 1892, they produced the first minute-repeater. In 1903, they renamed the company Omega until 1982, when they officially changed their name to Omega SA. During WW1, Omega watches were used as official timekeepers for the Royal Flying Corps and the US Army. In 1930, Omega and Tissot merged together to form Société Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogère (SSIH). In 1931, another group was formed - Allgemeine Schweizerische Uhrenindustrie AG (ASUAG). Where SSIH was primarily French-speaking, ASUAG was founded by the more German-speaking members of the Swiss watch industry. In 1948, they introduced the first edition of one of its most symbolic watches: the Seamaster. Omega first introduced the Constellation in 1952. At the time, it was Omega's flagship timepiece. The first models had a Cal. 354 bumper movement in them. Later, in 1955, Omega introduced the Automatic Cal. 50x, followed in 1959 by the Cal.55x (no date) and 56x (date) versions. Many of the Constellations came with pie-pan dials, diamond indexes, and fancy lug configurations. All the gold Constellations of that time have the Observatory of Geneva's hand engraved on the back. The stainless steel and stainless steel/gold versions had a gold medallion on the back with the Observatory of Geneva. The eight stars above the Observatory stand for the many exploits of Omega in the world Chronometer competition. Celebrating the fact that all Constellations are Chronometer Certified. In 1962, when astronaut Wally Schirra wore a Speedmaster on his Mercury Sigma 7 Mission, making it the first Omega watch to enter space. After rigorous tests, NASA used Omega for all their Apollo missions, including the 1969 Moon landing of Apollo 11. Today, Omega is still the first choice of astronauts. In 1969, President Nixon famously said it was “too valuable” and turned down the first-ever all-gold Speedmaster Professional Deluxe. As a response to the ever-growing threat of electronic watches to the manufacturers of mechanical watches, Omega and many Swiss brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe formed Centre Electronique Horologer (CEH). Prototypes began to appear in 1967, and their production started in 1968. Then, In 1972, Omega introduced the reference 198.030, which included the Omega calibre 1250, a ‘tuning-fork electronic movement which was made under licence from Bulova. Later we saw a merger of SSIH and ASUAG into SMH, or Société de Microélectronique et d’Horlogerie. This merger took place in 1983. In 1992, the company acquired Blancpain, and in 1998, it officially rebranded itself from SMH to the Swatch Group. Then, in 1999, they purchased and integrated Breguet into the Swatch Group.