Credits: Article and images by Sabine Zwettler @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/12/17/3-annual-calendars-from-patek-philippe-parmigiani-fleurier-and-omega-that-only-need-adjusting-once-a-year-reprise/
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Omega Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer: a modern classic with a twist
The world of high-end watches is full of curious things and funny terms. There are lollipop and snowflake hands, Pepsi bezels, oysters, tunas, turtles, and sandwich dials. While these don’t mean much to most people, they often enthrall connoisseurs of vintage watches.
Aficionados know the meaning of these nicknames and that they are derived from some significant characteristics that became famous at one point in history. At watch auctions today, such richly named elements often conceal valuable classic watches.
This is also certainly at least part of the reason why many watch brands – among them Rolex, Panerai, Seiko, and Tudor – regularly breathe new life into their signature stylistic features by issuing re-editions and remakes, reviving something of the original charisma and updating them to modern standards.
Interestingly, another one of these terms is inspired by a kitchen staple: the pie-pan dial of Omega’s Constellation collection, which was all the rage when it debuted in the 1950s. These timepieces were not only distinguished by a high level of precision earning them observatory chronometer awards, but also by their dials’ refined architecture reminiscent of the shape.
If you look closely, you will recognize this shape: the dial appears as if it had been “baked” in a tiny pie pan.
In 2015, Omega launched the Globemaster collection, which initially comprised three-handed timepieces whose look and feel were inspired by vintage Constellation models – including the pie-pan dial with its slightly recessed periphery. A fluted bezel added to the sophisticated dress watch-like aura of this automatic timepiece.
However, it was not only the appearance of this watch that took historical cues from its predecessors: most notably, the Globemaster was equipped with the groundbreaking Master Chronometer-certified Caliber 8900, introducing a new quality standard for accuracy defined in partnership with the Swiss METAS institute. This new standard and certificate resonated like a drumroll in the world of watches and marked the beginning of a new generation of high-precision, antimagnetic Omega calibers.
In 2016, an annual calendar was added to the collection. A smart choice because the shape of the dial in conjunction with 12 bold hour markers serve as a perfect background for the 12 months to be added between the hour markers. The ornate cursive font that Omega chose has not been everyone’s cup of tea, though. Personally, I like it because it is quite unique and highlights the expressive, vintage aura of the timepiece.
Late in 2021, Omega updated the collection with three new executions that offer a twist on color and materials. The first one combines stainless steel with a sunray-brushed green dial. This variant features a resilient tungsten carbide bezel.
The second timepiece is two tone, wedding stainless steel for the case to Omega’s Sedna gold for the bezel; it features a sunray-brushed burgundy dial.
The third, and most precious, model is entirely clad in Sedna gold, including the dial.
All three are powered by Omega Caliber 8922, which sports two mainspring barrels for a comfortable power reserve of 55 hours. It also bears the Master Chronometer certificate.
De rigueur for an elegant Swiss timepiece, the finely decorated movement with the brand’s signature Arabesque ribbing can be admired through a sapphire crystal case back. As a reference to Omega’s chronometer precision awards of the twentieth century, its center bears an engraving of the Neuchâtel observatory.
Quick Facts Omega Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer
Case: 41 x 14.5 mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic Co-Axial Caliber 8922, 25,200 vph frequency, 55-hour power reserve, Master Chronometer certificate, free-sprung balance with silicon balance spring
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; annual calendar with date and month
Price: $8,600 (stainless steel); $11,400 (stainless steel and Sedna gold); $31,000 (Sedna gold)
For more information, please visit www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watches/constellation/globemaster/annual-calendar-collection.
* This article was first published 10 January 2022 at 3 Annual Calendars From Patek Philippe, Parmigiani Fleurier, And Omega That Will Only Need One Adjustment In 2022
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Credits: Article and images by Sabine Zwettler @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/12/17/3-annual-calendars-from-patek-philippe-parmigiani-fleurier-and-omega-that-only-need-adjusting-once-a-year-reprise/