Little would I have imagined when I started this project to provide a central resource for collectors of Omega Constellations that it would generate 200,000 unique page views over a relatively short time. I recall an initial response of scepticism and doubt when I announced my intention on Timezone in 2006 to document the production of all ‘in-house’ manufactured Constellations from calibre 352 RG to calibre 1021. The consensus was that it was a fanciful notion and unlikely to succeed.
Well, I think I’ve done a reasonable job in documenting the major calibres, various design phases and many of the finer distinctions of which one needs to be aware when sourcing and purchasing genuine Constellations. For that, I thank the small band of people who have provided me with technical information, pictures, history and encouragement, all of whom have been acknowledged in the various essays I have written.
There is still work to do, such as recording the history and horology of the calibre 700, 711 and 712 series of ‘dress’ constellations, providing a family tree of the origins of the Constellation (the invention of the 28.10 and the emergence of the Omega Centenary of 1948), paying homage to the C-Shape designs, surveying the case designs of the 10xx calibre series, reviewing the various Constellation boxes and indeed silver cases that housed Grand Luxe and Deluxe models, and a foray into Seamaster chronometers to name just some of the projects on the drawing board. In time, and with the support of a growing number of well-wishers, I hope we will get there!
I suspect that one of the major reasons for the popularity of this blog is that it reflects the celebration of the Constellation from a collector’s perspective rather than that of the voyeur. Publications that review the Omega Constellation brand in detail are non-existent, and books that showcase Constellation models do so perfunctorily and fail to offer the type of information that assists collectors make better or more astute purchases.
As a central point for reliable information on Omega Constellations (notwithstanding the excellent information available on the Omega Vintage Database), I hoped this site would shift the information balance a little more in the collector’s favour. A fundamental motive was to help arm Connie aficionados with enough information to be able to negotiate through the spin, the lies, the false claims, the frauds and the sheer effrontery of the franken-meisters so as to acquire a ‘real’ Connie. Every time that happens, then I feel I’ve done the job I set out to do.
I have been threatened with litigation by big on-line watch sites for pointing out fakes in their inventory; I’ve been called some very colourful names by on-line sellers who were caught out in their own webs of deceit; I’ve been menaced with warnings of violence and I’ve even had a hex put on me by an Indonesian seller who tried to rip off a fellow Australian collector with a fake gold Connie. But facts are a defence against these petty attempts to intimidate, and every time I get a poison or bullying email it validates the reason for developing this site in the first place.
I would like to thank the thousands of subscribers who have supported this blog. I also thank those who have supplied some exquisitely tantalising leads, pictures and absolute gems of information. With your support and input, we can make this resource bigger, better and more valuable to those who have caught the Connie bug.
