A fake Omega Constellation 2018 shows its hand in four places: the movement behind the sapphire back, the claws on the case flanks, the dial print, and the bracelet weight. A real fifth-generation Constellation runs a METAS-certified Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8800 or 8801, a movement no replica factory has cloned. If the watch has a display back, you can judge it in under a minute.
This guide covers what changed in 2018, the tells that separate a genuine Constellation from a copy, and the price range that makes a suspiciously cheap deal obvious.
What Changed on the 2018 Omega Constellation?
Omega launched the fifth generation of the Constellation in 2018, and the redesign moved the line away from the older 38mm models. The new case measured 39mm, the claws (griffes) became part of the case instead of separate caps, and the bracelet got a new link profile and a different clasp. Every steel and gold reference carried Master Chronometer certification.
- Case: 39mm, claws integrated into the case at 3 and 9 o'clock, polished bevels with half-moon facets.
- Movement: Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8800 or 8801, automatic, 55-hour power reserve.
- Magnetism: rated to 15,000 gauss, with a silicon balance spring and a free-sprung balance.
- Certification: METAS tested over 8 days, with results printed on a card that ships with the watch.
- Display back: sapphire crystal on both sides, so the movement stays visible.
Two features matter most for spotting fakes. The claws sit flush against the case on the real watch, and the movement has a dark silicon balance spring. Copies get both wrong.
How Do You Spot a Fake Omega Constellation 2018?
1. The Movement Through the Caseback
Turn the watch over. A genuine 8800 or 8801 shows arabesque Geneva stripes on the bridges, a skeletonized rotor with the Omega symbol and "Co-Axial Master Chronometer" text, and a black silicon balance spring. Replicas use a Miyota, an ETA clone, or a Chinese automatic with printed stripes and a chrome balance wheel.
Check the engraving depth and the balance wheel. Laser printing sits on the surface of the metal. Real engraving cuts into it.
2. The Claws and Case Flanks
The claws on a real 2018 Constellation are one piece with the case. Fakes bolt on or glue on lookalike caps, which leaves a seam, a gap, or a soft edge where light should break. Run a fingernail along the joint. Genuine steel feels continuous.
Look at the half-moon facets on top of each claw. Copies polish them flat or skip them altogether.
3. Dial Print, Star, and Hands
The applied Omega logo and the star at 6 o'clock are three-dimensional on the real watch, with sharp edges. Fake dials use flat stamps, so the star reads as painted. The date font matters too: the genuine uses narrow, squared numerals that sit centered in the window.
- Genuine: applied logo, faceted hands, crisp minute track, centered date.
- Fake: flat logo, rounded hands, fuzzy print, date that sits off-center or high in the window.
4. Bracelet, Clasp, and Weight
A steel 39mm Constellation with a full bracelet weighs about 130 to 150 grams. Most copies land under 110 grams because the links are hollow or the steel is thin. The clasp should close with a firm click and show an engraved Omega mark, not a stamped one.
5. Cards, Serial, and Price
Real watches ship with a pictograms card, a METAS Master Chronometer card, and a warranty card with matching numbers. The serial is engraved on the caseback and stamped on the movement. Copies reuse a single serial across batches, which shows up fast in an online search.
Price is the last filter. A steel 2018 Constellation sold for about $5,000 to $6,000 at retail. A "new" one at $400 is not a bargain.
What Is a 2018 Omega Constellation Worth Today?
Used prices for the fifth-generation Constellation sit below retail, though two-tone and solid gold models hold more value. Steel references trade in the low thousands.
- Steel on bracelet with box and papers: about $3,000 to $4,500.
- Two-tone steel and gold: about $4,000 to $6,500.
- Full Sedna or yellow gold: above $10,000.
- High-end 1:1 replica: $250 to $600.
That last number is the gap that matters. No replica sells inside the genuine price band.
Can a High-End Replica Pass as a Real Constellation?
No, not under close inspection. A good replica copies the case, dial, and bracelet shape, and it can look right from a meter away. It cannot copy the 8800 movement, the METAS card, or the serial record. Take off the back or check the papers and the difference shows.
Replicas also skip the silicon balance spring and the 15,000-gauss rating. Those parts cost money that a $400 watch does not carry.
FAQ
How can you tell a fake Omega Constellation 2018?
Start with the movement through the caseback, then check the claws, the dial print, and the serial on the cards. A fake fails at least one of those four checks.
Does the 2018 Constellation have a display back?
Yes. The fifth-generation Constellation uses sapphire on both sides, so the calibre 8800 or 8801 stays visible from the back.
What movement is in the 2018 Omega Constellation?
The Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8800, plus the 8801 in references that place the date in a different spot. Both run at 55 hours of power reserve and carry METAS certification.
Is a cheap 2018 Constellation on a marketplace site ever real?
In most cases, no. A listing under $1,000 for a complete steel watch is a replica or a scam. Ask for the serial, the cards, and a photo of the movement before you send money.
Quick Check Before You Buy
- Photograph the caseback and compare the caliber engraving to official photos.
- Count the claws and feel the joint where they meet the case.
- Weigh the watch. Under 110 grams on a steel bracelet is a warning sign.
- Match the serial on the caseback to the cards and the movement.
- Compare the asking price to the used range for that reference.
Five minutes of checks beats a refund you will never see.