Omega Constellation Electroquartz – The Dawn of the Quartz Age

The Omega Constellation Electroquartz is a landmark in horological history. Introduced in 1970 and powered by the pioneering Beta 21 quartz movement, it represented the cutting edge of timekeeping technology. This was Omega’s bold step into the future: an ultra-precise electronic wristwatch created at a moment when quartz technology was reshaping the entire industry.

This example is particularly remarkable. It remains in unworn condition, still retaining its original protective film on both the case and case back, along with the original hang tags — a rare survival for a watch of this era. The angular case design, so distinctly 1970s, has been preserved exactly as it left the factory: sharp, crisp, and with that unmistakable Electroquartz geometry that balances futuristic flair and functional solidity.

Inside beats the legendary Beta 21, a collaborative Swiss movement developed by CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger). Revered today for its historical importance and its impressive accuracy, the Beta 21 gave the Electroquartz its signature smooth seconds hand and a level of precision that mechanical watches of the time could only admire from afar. The watch runs fine with a new battery inserted.

The dial is clean and confident, with the refined markers and understated Constellation branding that anchor the watch firmly in Omega’s luxury lineage. It feels both experimental and elegant — a fusion of high technology and classic design.
To encounter an Electroquartz in truly unworn condition is to meet the quartz revolution at the moment it began. This piece isn’t just a watch; it’s a time capsule from the early 1970s, preserving the optimism, innovation, and daring that defined the era.

* Year: 1971
* Case: 37 x 42mm
* Movement: Beta 21 quartz
* Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel bracelet