zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: I recently inherited an Omega Constellation Co-Axial Chronometer. I
: need to confirm that it is water resistant (it does say so on
: the reverse of the watch) but a rep at the Omega store in Sydney
: said it was only splash resistant as it is a "dress
: watch". The Omega website confirms it as water resistant to
: 100m. Also, the winder does not lock into place as does my
: Seamaster.....surely it must do this to be water resistant. Can
: anyone pls help?

My condolences on your loss, but congratulations on the inheritance.

Omega has been an innovator in water resistance without human intervention for decades. Your watch is considerably more than splash resistant and is indeed 100m water resistant when new. Omega in 1994 introduced a chronograph (still sold today, the Seamaster ChronoDiver) which allows the use of chronograph pushers to 300m without being screwed down or any indication that they are other than pushers on a typical chronograph. Compared to that, 100m with a non-screw down crown is, relatively speaking, child's play.

Unfortunately, ignorant salespeople (too lazy to look it up in the well documented sales literature) more often than not don't get the details correct. Take anything a salesperson says to you with a grain of salt unless you can verify it elsewhere.

Many, if not most, of Omega's mens "dress watches" are water resistant to 100m without a screw down crown when new. Go to the Omega website and browse the specifications and see if it is not so.

My caveat above is "when new". Omega watches, like all watches, provide water resistance and timekeeping ability with parts which wear and require service or the water resistance and timekeeping ability declines. As co-axial watches have now been available for over 10 years (in the Deville collection, less tenure in the Constellation collection), your watch may have reached the 3 to 5 year service interval. I would recommend servicing the watch to ensure its timekeeping and water resistance.

Welcome to Omega ownership.