First revealed on our site with a press release for Baselworld 2015, the Omega Globemaster was an instant hit. While it was not as popular as some other releases, the Omega Globemaster was a hot favourite among Omega fans and collectors. They were very pleased that with the Globemaster, Omega had revived the fluted bezel and pie pan dial, icons of the Constellation day date series of the past.
Review: Omega Globemaster
The Omega Constellation series, the Globemaster’s predecessor, heavily influences its design, and was once the flagship in the Omega collection, dating back to 1952. The first Omega Constellation models had bumper movements and distinctive diamond shaped hour markers. They also featured the diamond shaped hour markers on their pie-pan dials and dauphine hands which were used till the late 1960s. The Constellation was highly prized by watch lovers for the lugs design and hour markers that were often made in gold.
The Globemaster is arguably a homage to the Constellation, bringing back features like the pie-pan dial, the star, as well as the medallion on the caseback featuring an observatory surrounded by eight stars. It also sports the title “Constellation” on the rim of its caseback.
The Globemaster revives tradition with the resurgence of its pie pan dial and fluted bezel. The round tapered lugs is also reminiscent of vintage Omega timepieces.
Sized at 39 mm in diameter and 12.5 mm in thickness, the Globemaster fits well like any other modern wristwatch in the time only classic category. As mentioned earlier, the watch brings back design cues from its past with the “pie-pan” dial and a fluted bezel. The bezel is made of highly durable tungsten carbide on the steel models. Its dial also features a signature-styled “Globemaster” title, the label “Master Chronometer”, a star and a date window at the 6 o’clock. Its hands and markers are treated with Super-Luminova and it is fitted with a dome shaped sapphire crystal treated with double sided anti-reflective coating. All models are water resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet.
Close up shot of the platinum dial with white gold markers that is only available in the limited edition model in platinum.
Our first thoughts about this piece is that it is very well made with regards to the case construction. The definition lines along the side of the case leading to the lugs are clean and finished with a polished and brushed contrast. The overall feel is that of a high quality product and we were very pleased when handling the piece. Given the watch’s similarity in function to the Rolex Day-date or Datejust as a time only watch, we have heard many connoisseurs draw comparisons between these models when first assessing the watch. With regards to the fluted bezel on the Omega vs the Rolexes, some swing in favour of the Rolex models, but we beg to differ. The fluted bezel on the Omega is flatter in gradient, and cut at a thinner intersection as compared to the Rolexes. The after effect is that the Omega appears more discreet than the modern Datejusts, and the vintage appeal works far better in its favour.
The blue sunburst dial variation. Note the distinct pie pan dial feature with the gradient slope at the hour markers.
The regular production models are available in two dial styles, with a silvered opaline dial for the steel, gold and two-tone versions and a blue sun burst dial for the steel and two-tone versions. The limited edition model is cased in platinum and has a sandblasted platinum dial with white gold applied markers and hands. It is limited to 352 pieces.
Blue dial version on a two tone case, steel case with 18K gold bezel and crown.
The transparent caseback reveals the Co-axial movement which uses a modified lever escapement similar to the detent escapement and was invented by English watchmaker, George Daniels.
To pay tribute to Omega’s legacy of high-precision timepieces, the Globemaster has a transparent caseback that sports a medallion depicting an observatory’s cupola – it being home to the original chronometry tests of the 1940’s and 50’s – with a sky embellished with 8 stars around it. Each star represents one of Omega’s eight significant chronometry records through history, as well as the eight criteria forming the METAS standard.
On the wrist. The classic Globemaster fits well under the cuffs for a formal event but can easily match an outfit in any casual setting.
As with most other modern Omegas, the Globemaster is powered by a Co-Axial calibre. To be precise, it uses the automatic Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8900/8901 for the regular models and Calibre 8913 for the platinum limited edition model with Sedna gold rotor— with 38 jewels and a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement escapement was first invented by English watchmaker George Daniels in the late 70s and have been used as a bedrock feature in modern Omega movements. The finishing is adequate considering the price point, it has cotes-de-geneve lines, angle polishing on the plates and polished finishing in the screw sockets. While it ticks most of the boxes that we look out for when it comes to finishing, it just lacks a certain beauty. Certainly there is more to be desired especially when considering the pricier models.
The Globemaster is priced at SGD9800 for the base model in steel with a leather strap and SGD27,950 Singapore for the gold on leather versions. The platinum limited edition is SGD57,500 and estimated date of delivery is November 2015.
Specifications
Reference
- Blue 130.33.39.21.03.001 / Sedna 130.53.39.21.02.001
Movement
- Calibre: Omega 8900 / 8901
- Base: Omega 8500 / Omega 8900
- Frequency: 25200 bph
- Display: Analog
- Jewels: 39
- Self-winding automatic movement with Co-Axial escapement for greater precision, stability and durability.
- Movement tested by COSC; movement and watch tested according to certification process approved by METAS.
- Resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss.
- Free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring; two barrels mounted in series; automatic winding in both directions to reduce winding time; time zone function; NIVACHOC.
- Luxury finish with Geneva waves in arabesque / 18K Sedna gold rotor for 8901.
- Power reserve: 60 hours.
Features
- Date / Anti-magnetic / Chronometer / Transparent case back
Technical Data
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Case: Steel / Sedna Gold
- Finish: Sunburst
- Bracelet: Leather
- Dial: Blue / Silver
- Water resistant: 10 bar (100 metres /330 feet)
- Case diameter: 39mm
