Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Omega's timepiece meets Stauer's dress watch

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) ($25,000+). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic, Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8501. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.

OmegaConstellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold)$25,000+ Check price Stauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Omega

Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold)

$25,000+

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold)	Stauer 1920s Retrograde
Price	$25,000+	$100–$150
Case Size	38mm	43mm
Movement	Automatic, Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8501	Quartz
Caliber Type	Omega 8501, Co-Axial escapement, silicon balance spring, chronometer-certified	Quartz
Power Reserve	60 hours	Battery
Water Resistance	100m (10 ATM)	100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback	Mineral crystal
Case Material	18k red gold	Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
Origin	Swiss Made	Stauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Omega's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) features a 18k red gold case at 38mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Omega

Automatic, Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8501 vs Quartz

The Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) runs the Automatic, Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8501 (Omega 8501, Co-Axial escapement, silicon balance spring, chronometer-certified, 60 hours power reserve) at standard frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) edges ahead on power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Omega

38mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 38mm, the Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) sits at $25,000+ and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback with 60 hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Draw

100m (10 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) is rated to 100m (10 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. Both offer identical water resistance ratings.

Our Verdict

Omega

Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold)

Choose the Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) if you prioritize Omega 8501, Co-Axial escapement, silicon balance spring, chronometer-certified engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. At $25,000+, it delivers Automatic, Omega Co-Axial Calibre 8501 with 60 hours power reserve.

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Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Omega bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $25,000+), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Omega Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) at 38mm with 100m (10 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Constellation Co-Axial 38mm (18k red gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire exhibition caseback while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.