Omega Constellation 368.1075: Why So Underappreciated?

maumerstrubbi · Wed. 5:36am

I am a proud owner of a „first series“ constellation manhattan from the mid 80s and I am seriously wondering why it is so underapreciated and undervalued by the collectors community.

It has such sweet dimensions with its moderate width of 35mm and its slim and low profile on the wrist. And with the bracelet wears so nice and you almost don’t feel it and realise it’s an ss-bracelet. It’s genuinely the most comfortable watch bracelet in my eyes apart from watches on a leather strap. It’s more comfortable than a bor and it just doesn’t wears out and doesn’t really loosen.

And this watch is so much more raw than the constellation models nowadays - it’s just a little edgier with that flat and not rounded bezel like on the models starting in the mid 90s. That way it appears with a lot mor filigree on the wrist in my eyes.

I am genuinely wondering why this early constellations aren’t thought after at all around here. I mean it enabled me to get mine for a couple hundred € but still I am fan of it and genuinely want to discuss why so few people are fans of this early reference manhattan.

Is it because of this simple ETA non inhouse movement? Is it because it’s from the 80s and there for in many eyes not really a vintage piece. Although I would argue it is compared to the evolution of the manhattan since then.
Or is it just a little to unusual for omega and its other vintage stuff?

Anyways I will add some pics of my piece for further discussions on this topic. 😎😉
And yes I really like the patina the dial has gotten over time. 🤗

And if no one wants to discuss this topic - may be it can be an appreciation post for all the „first series“ manhattan owners that really like this constellation reference from the 80s 😇

Peemacgee · Wed. 6:32am

This style of Constellation was, and still is, incredibly popular in the Far East. (testified by the fact that Omega clocks in airports from the Middle East onwards are based on this style)

However, whilst the styling was innovative in the 80s (I remember their appearance well and they were excitingly groundbreaking) the style has aged none too well in Western eyes.
It is partly to do with the movement from an era when Omega was struggling but it is mainly a question of fashion.

So, travel East and you will soon find that you are amongst fellow admirers.

bsowers34 · Wed. 6:37am

I love this style. Mine is quartz but has day/date. One exactly like it was the first nice watch purchase I ever made in 1987. Probably why I like them.

maumerstrubbi · Wed. 6:41am

Peemacgee
This style of Constellation was, and still is, incredibly popular in the Far East. (testified by the fact that Omega clocks in airports from the Middle East onwards are based on this style)

However, whilst the styling was innovative in the 80s (I remember their appearance well and they were excitingly groundbreaking) the style has aged none too well in Western eyes.
It is partly to do with the movement from an era when Omega was struggling but it is mainly a question of fashion.

So, travel East and you will soon find that you are amongst fellow admirers.

How far east is it popular - Japan/china or not that far east?
But thank you for that input - didn’t know they were/and are more popular over there.

And it’s just so crazy to think about the fact that the unpopularity has so much to do with that movement. I mean it’s not a bad one. But may be I can’t just believe it because I find the modern in-house movements as too big and so are the more modern watches since the house bigger not so slim movements…

maumerstrubbi · Wed. 6:43am

bsowers34
I love this style. Mine is quartz but has day/date. One exactly like it was the first nice watch purchase I ever made in 1987. Probably why I like them.

Nice one!!
Purchased in 1987 🤯😎
Love that black dial. Nice that it still runs and you still wear it?

Wish they would have produced those day dates as automatics as well 😉🤗

The manhattan is one of the few watches I like in two tone as well as in full steel…

bsowers34 · Wed. 6:46am

maumerstrubbi
Nice one!!
Purchased in 1987 🤯😎
Love that black dial. Nice that it still runs and you still wear it?

Wish they would have produced those day dates as automatics as well 😉🤗

The manhattan is one of the few watches I like in two tone as well as in full steel…

No, this is a duplicate, I had to sell the first one in the early 00s. Found this on ebay in 2022 from an estate sale. Ran fine, but it still went to Omega to be serviced, such as quartz can be. The full gold link bars make the stainless seem to have a gold tint. Probably worth more in 18kt than I paid for it in 2022.

Peemacgee · Wed. 6:52am

maumerstrubbi
How far east is it popular - Japan/china or not that far east?
But thank you for that input - didn’t know they were/and are more popular over there.

And it’s just so crazy to think about the fact that the unpopularity has so much to do with that movement. I mean it’s not a bad one. But may be I can’t just believe it because I find the modern in-house movements as too big and so are the more modern watches since the house bigger not so slim movements…

I was thinking of South Korea and beyond..
I really don't think it has that much to do with the movement - it's simply the 80s styling that limits its appeal in the West.
But I do suspect that the slim nature and relatively small size adds to their appeal in the East.

maumerstrubbi · Wed. 7:07am

bsowers34
No, this is a duplicate, I had to sell the first one in the early 00s. Found this on ebay in 2022 from an estate sale. Ran fine, but it still went to Omega to be serviced, such as quartz can be. The full gold link bars make the stainless seem to have a gold tint. Probably worth more in 18kt than I paid for it in 2022.

So sad that you had to sell it back in the day but really nice that you found one again a couple of years ago and that nowadays the gold content is making it a good deal 😎 love to hear stories like that 🔥

maumerstrubbi · Wed. 7:10am

Peemacgee
I was thinking of South Korea and beyond..
I really don't think it has that much to do with the movement - it's simply the 80s styling that limits its appeal in the West.
But I do suspect that the slim nature and relatively small size adds to their appeal in the East.

ok it was meant really far east 😎
Yeah that’s probably it for them - since it’s also the case and the slim size that’s appealing to me. You almost don’t notice it seemingly feels like a bracelet and not like a watch. It’s just so appealing in Summe rot wear such a light slim watch that nots just like a big junk of steel on the wrist 😉