We’re kicking off 2026 with a trip down memory lane. Sometimes, what’s old is actually just underrated. And for January 2026, I want to focus your attention on one of the sharpest, smartest watches Omega ever produced: the Constellation Perpetual Calendar.
Recently, WatchTime Magazine revisited this gem from the 1990s. It’s the industry’s main journal, and I read it with a passion. As a watch lover and watch repair shop in New York, NY, I couldn’t agree more with the publication. The watch is one that quietly changed the game. It is elegant, smart, and a total reflection of its time. The Constellation Perpetual Calendar was the kind of timepiece that said, “I know what I’m doing.” It has been one of the Omega watches I like to see and repair.
Let’s start with features. This Constellation was powered by Quartz Caliber 1680, a thermocompensated movement based on ETA’s Caliber 252.511. Eleven jewels, precision accuracy, and a brilliant calendar. The “perpetual calendar” is programmed through 2099. That means it accounts for leap years and months with fewer than 31 days. It does this without any user input! Here are some additional features. Hold the crown down for three seconds, and the watch will display the current month in the date window. Wait a beat, and Roman numerals show the year. “IV” means leap year. This is kind of a cool “easter egg” hidden in the watch. Cool to show to your friends, or potential romantic partners.
But that wasn’t all. Frequent travelers got a treat too: pull the crown to the first position, and you can adjust the hour hand independently without moving the seconds or minutes. The second position stops the second hand for full adjustment. This kind of real-world functionality is the stuff I appreciate. I like this not just as a watch lover, but as a guy who repairs watches and admires their beauty.
Now, let’s focus on its case. While 35.5mm might sound small in today’s oversized world. When it is on the wrist, it looks a perfect size. The integrated bracelet makes it seem larger. In addition, the visual weight—especially in the steel-and-gold version—gives it a real presence on your wrist. Those famous four claws on the bezel, filled Roman numerals, and alternating brushed and polished finishes? This is the “DNA” of the Omega brand. The bracelet is solid too, with smaller links for a better fit. It also features a pusher-release clasp that features an 18k yellow gold Omega logo. This is true even on the all-steel model.
OMEGA FORM THAT IS TIMELESS
This watch was Omega styling in peak ’90s form: bold, smart, and not afraid of a little flash. That two-tone stainless and yellow gold combo? That really fits the vibe of the time.
Today, this Omega watch is aging like fine wine. They’re not necessarily topping collector auctions or making headlines. But many of my customers own one or have inherited one. If you’ve got one in a drawer, or better yet, if you inherited one, bring it to the shop. These quartz calibers were built to last. With the right service such as battery changes, case reseals, bracelet tune-ups, etc., this watch will go well, “perpetually” (pardon the pun).
As someone who’s been servicing Omega watches in New York City for decades, I am known as the best place for Omega watch repair in NY, NY. I love this watch and the Omega brand. The Constellation Perpetual Calendar might not be the flashiest Omega in your collection. But it’s one of the smartest. It’s a truly timeless watch that should be admired.