Constellation

Vertu Constellation Quest

Filed under: Gadgets

The ranks of the world's wealthy still have their fair share of old money, but self-made millionaires are becoming more and more common. And if you've made it there on your own, it probably took a lot of hard work. While luxuries are due the self-made wealthy, a businessman isn't about to give up the tools that got him there. So while a Vertu phone may seem like a nice indulgence, most businessmen would likely rather keep their Blackberries and all their functionality.

That's where the new Vertu Constellation Quest comes in. It packs all the high-end design features that set a Vertu apart from more common mobile phones, but packs a full QWERTY keyboard and a wider screen to keep its user connected and in the loop.

For the Quest, Vertu has also introduced new features like Vertu Remote Assist that allows the tech support team on call 'round the clock to go into the phone and fix whatever's not working. There's also Vertu City Brief, providing users with fingertip access to information on whatever location they're traveling to. All that and more, packed into a choice of stainless steel (matte or polished) or 18-karat gold case with a leather back and sapphire crystal screen.

Tags: constellation, quest, vertu, vertu constellation, vertu constellation quest, vertu quest

Omega Constellation Baguette Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Funny how so recently I was discussing my perception that the new style Omega Constellation watches are the brand's flagship models for women, and now I get to discuss the Constellation line's flagship model. This uber-luxury timepiece not only proves my theory about Omega's high hopes for the Constellation watches, but is also probably one of the most (if not the most) luxurious jewelry pieces from Omega that has ever been made.

Omega muses that because each diamond in the watch is hand selected and cut for the piece, if a diamond would require replacement, the process would take as long as making an entire new watch as a stone would need to be selected to make a new watch. This is the Omega Constellation Baguette watch for ladies, and I am not sure if there is going to be more than one of them (only one has been made so far). The watch is in 18k white gold and has 459 very large Wesselton diamonds all over it - from the dial to the case, and all over the bracelet. The stones have what is called an "invisible mount," which makes their settings not visible. This makes them look all put together very neatly and closely. The watch contains all baguette and trapeze cut diamonds. There is also a small mother-of-pearl disc behind the star shape on the dial.

Inside the watch is an Omega Caliber 8421 automatic Co-Axial escapement mechanical movement. A lovely piece in a sick, ultra excess sort of way, the watch has over 30 carats of diamonds on it. Price? Well if you have to ask don't even bother taking out your wallet.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: Baguette, Constellation, diamonds, Omega, watch

Omega Wants Constellation Watch To Be Flagship Lady's Model

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

In the recent past I discussed the new Constellation models from Omega for women (here once again) . It has now become clear that Omega sees the Constellation line of their primary lady's model given the sheer variety and models available. Not to mention that its current female brand ambassadors (such as Cindy Crawford who has been working with Omega since 1995) are often seen wearing constellation watch models. The watches come in no less than five sizes! 38, 35, 31, 27, and 24mm wide. Colors are endless with versions in steel to gold, and in purple or champagne to black or white. It is very clear that a brand intends for a model to be a global flagship piece then they are offered in steel with quartz movements, to versions in gold with diamonds and a mechanical movement.

Movements in the higher end models are clearly Omega Co-Axial automatic calibers such as the 8500/8501, 8520/8521, down to the caliber 2500. Quartz models have Swiss caliber 1376 or 1523 movements. In each size, the Constellation retains the iconic look of the angular case with side mounted "claws." Really I think that "claws" are a terrible way to discuss the aesthetic features on the side of the case, but that is Omega's terminology.

One of the elements that is so connected to the classic Constellation watches is the seamless look of the bracelets. Using large links with no gaps, the watches have a very distinct look with the large and simple, though tapering and complex in construction bracelet. New for today and never part of the original line are colorful rubber straps that emulate the looks. Trying telling Omega that they would be pairing diamond covered gold watches with a rubber strap back in 1982 and they would likely laugh you out of the room. How times change.

I do agree that the new lady's Constellation watch models do make for an excellent lady's watch - really Omega has nothing else in the elegance department. Their ladies Planet Ocean watches for example, are simply shrunken down men's versions and too sporty looking for many women. With a high level of utility, beauty, and available luxury, the new Omega Constellation watches for women is an ample and flattering choice. Prices will likely start at a few thousand to upwards of $10,000 - $15,000 (or more) for top-end models.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Omega Constellation Lady Quartz 27mm watch

Tags: 2010, collection, Constellation, ladys, Omega, watch, women

Omega Constellation Ladies' Watches For The Holiday Season

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Omega is really serious about promoting their new Constellation watches for women. I mean the watch line isn't anything new, but they just revamped the style of the watches, so they have been thoroughly updated. They even hired Cindy Crawford for one of the watch release parties. I must admit the line has always looked good on a woman's wrist, and here are two new interesting colors for the watch - purple and white on matching reptile skin straps.

The Constellation cases are elegant and simple, with the iconic "claws" on the sides. These versions have diamond decoration including diamonds on the bezel, as well as for each of the hour markers. The dials are deeply textured in an angled sunburst pattern done in purple with white. The large crown adds to Omega's preferred utilitarian look, and the straps have fold over clasps. The cases are likely in steel, and I am guessing the movements in these jewelry-like ladies' watches are Swiss quartz. Overall in pretty good taste making for suitable gifts. No specific price announced yet, but I imagine it will be close to what the new line these watches is going for.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Omega Constellation Ladies watch

Tags: constellation, ladies, lady, omega, purple, watch, white, women

Vertu Releases New Constellation Ayxta Flip-Phone

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Rich folks like Vertu. (They must, otherwise Nokia wouldn't keep on making ten-thousand-dollar mobile phones, now would they?) But some like flip-phones better than the candy-bar form factor that has characterized its offerings until now. So ostensibly to satisfy such discerning customers, Vertu has released the new Constellation Ayxta.

Like the Ascent, Signature and the existing Constellation model, the Ayxta features luxurious hand-craftsmanship, leather trim and access to the company's bespoke concierge service, on call around the clock from anywhere in the world. The Ayxta's clamshell form also packs a 3-megapixel camera with flash, an 8-gig micro-SD slot and 3G wireless connection. Which by themselves may not warrant the phone's $6,500 - $8,500 asking price, but then companies like Vertu would argue that the whole of its product is more than the sum of its parts.

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Tags: constellation, Constellation Ayxta, ConstellationAyxta, mobile, mobile phone, MobilePhone, phone, vertu, vertu constellation, Vertu Constellation Ayxta, VertuConstellation, VertuConstellationAyxta

2009 Omega Constellation Watches For Women

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I predict that the attractive women's version of the 2009 Omega Constellation watch is going to be a hit. Like the new men's Omega Constellation watch, the women's version has been updated, but also beautifully decorated. The best version are the pictures models with Omega's "supernova" pattern erupting from the "constellation star." Diamonds appoint the bezel and dial as hour markers and as part of the patterning. Still, the watch is highly legible and useful.

The Omega Constellation's seamless bracelet has been updated to be more comfortable - and is unique for having no gaps and being so smoothly flexible. The models come in three different sizes at 24, 27, and 31mm wide. Cases are in gold, two-tone, or stainless steel, and the dials comes in a variety of treatments. The nicest of which is in my opinion the pictured model. The 31mm wide models have an in-house Omega Co-Axial 8520/8521 movement, while the smaller versions come with a quartz movement or a smaller Omega Co-Axial 2500 movement. The Constellation line for women is a flashy but sensible watch for special occasions or a woman not keen on being predictable and getting a Cartier.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: 2009 Women's Omega Constellation Watch

Tags: 2009, constellation, diamonds, lady, omega, timepiece, watch, women

2009 Omega Constellation Watch For Men

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

There hasn't been a new Constellation from Omega in years, but 2009 brings a totally refreshed look that is true to the original and resists too much modern 'edge.' 1982 gave us the first Constellation watch, which was a very unique timepiece at the time - when the angular look was in. The new model retains the iconic bracelet with links and bars, the bezel claws, and the bezel lined with Roman numerals (on those models without diamonds of course).

The global appeal of the watch requires an array of models to fit regional tastes. The case is sized up to 38mm wide and goes down to 35mm for the men's models. Inside the watch is Omega's in-house made Co-Axial caliber 8500 or 8501 movements - which were certainly not available in the originals. Quartz movement versions of the watch are also available. For me the look has always been an acquired taste though there is nothing to dislike about the sensible good looks of the watch. In addition to the steel version, editions of the watch are available with gold accents and different color faces. Look for the new 2009 Omega Constellation models soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 09, 2009, constellation, men, mens, omega, timepiece, watch

Megayacht Seized In Illegal Diving Incident

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

BYM News passes on this interesting story, the 290-foot yacht Constellation has been detained in Panama after the yacht was involved in some illegal underwater exploration in the Galapagos Islands. A mini-submarine which was impounded and her crew was jailed in the incident. The group had also chartered the Panamanian support vessel Cebaco Bay and the mini-submarine from UK based Silvercrest Submarines. The Russians apparently paid $120,000 for a four-hour jaunt around the islands. The use of submarines in the area is forbidden.

Last Friday, the Cebaco Bay was stopped by the Ecuadorian navy off the island San Cristóbal.When the boat was boarded, the crew said that the permissions to dive had been organized by the Constellation. The group on the Constellation denied this and the yacht left the scene but was later detained as it tried to enter the Panama canal. Meanwhile, the captain of the Cebaco Bay has been sentenced to 90 days in prison in Ecuador and the crew has thirty-day sentences.

The main question is who knew what and when. In the article in the Independent, the wife of the sub owner says that he did not know it was illegal and thought that permissions had been arranged by the Constellation and that his contracted stated that the tour organizers would handle all permits.

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Tags: constellation, diving, galapagos, submarine