Omega 168.025 "Pie Pan" Constellation Chronometer

Omega is a fine watchmaker, but many fans believe that their 1960’s Constellation chronometers are the height of their work. Yet these automatic watches remain affordable. Here we have an example of a late 1960’s Omega Constellation chronometer with an automatic date movement starting at just €300 at Auctionata’s January 14 auction.

Update: Sold for just €400 (€650 or $715 all-in) on Jan 14!

Here you can see why this dial is nicknamed “pie pan” by collectors!

The Constellation was Omega’s top dress watch in the 1960’s, and the “pie pan” dial has become iconic. The 500-series calibres in particular are loved by enthusiasts, and this watch ought to have a Calibre 564 inside. The 563/564 family brought a quickset date to the lionized Calibre 551, making it highly usable by modern collectors. Yet it retains the classic gold-colored (actually copper) finish and fine craftsmanship of earlier 500-series Omega calibres.

The observatory on the case back indicates an Omega chronometer, and that’s the correct buckle too!

The monocoque body of the Omega Constellation is an interesting feature, protecting and preserving the movement and adding thinness to what is a tiny watch. Many modern collectors will look askance at a 34mm watch, but I’ve become quite fond of my little classic dress watches. The shape and size, not to mention the chronometer certification and astronomical theme, reminds me of my beloved Nivada Antarctic! That observatory on the case back is actually the cupola of the Geneva Observatory, where Omega set records in chronometry in the 1950’s.

These watches are not particularly rare, and this is not an amazing example on its own. But anyone interested in owning a classic Omega should have a Constellation, and this example is affordable and “nice enough” to earn a spot in that collection.