Omega Constellation “Manhattan” Mini (Ref. 795.1080) — The Tiny Icon You Can Actually Wear
Born from the 1980s Manhattan design language—four claws, Roman-numeral bezel, and an integrated bracelet—the Omega Constellation Mini (ref. 795.1080) distills a big design story into a compact, jewelry-leaning everyday watch. It’s thin, reliable quartz, easy to style, and one of the most approachable entry points into Constellation history.
Why it’s interesting
- True design DNA, small footprint: You get the Manhattan claws and integrated bracelet in a wearable ~22–23 mm package.
- Quartz done right: Omega cal. 1455 (ETA 976.001) is slim, accurate, and easily supported with parts/modules.
- Accessible Constellation: Prices stay sensible; maintenance is light compared to vintage mechanicals.
Key Specifications (typical)
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Reference | 795.1080 (ladies “Mini” Manhattan; variants in steel or two-tone) |
| Movement | Omega 1455 (ETA 976.001 base), quartz, 6 jewels |
| Functions | Hours, minutes (two-hand; no date, no seconds typical) |
| Case | ~22–23 mm barrel/tonneau profile, claws at 3/9, Roman-numeral bezel |
| Thickness | Slim quartz profile (approx. ~5 mm) |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Bracelet | Integrated, tapering; steel or steel/18k accents (two-tone) |
| Battery | 321 / SR616SW |
| Water resistance | Treat as dress-daily (avoid swimming; pressure test only if needed) |
Design & Variants
The Manhattan concept keeps the case front clean with four functional griffes. On the Mini, that translates to a fixed Roman-numeral bezel, applied Ω and star, and a minimalist two-hand dial (commonly white, black, or champagne). Two-tone versions add warmth and pair naturally with gold jewelry; all-steel reads cleaner and a bit more modern.
Movement & Setting Tips
Inside is cal. 1455, Omega’s finish on ETA 976.001—a thin, two-hand quartz workhorse.
- Battery: 321 / SR616SW.
- Service reality: Most issues are solved with a fresh cell or a drop-in module swap (parts are still obtainable).
- No seconds by design: The calm dial is part of the look—and helps battery life.
How it wears
- Size: At ~22–23 mm, it wears like elegant jewelry on smaller wrists and as a crisp dress accent on larger ones.
- Profile: Very thin—slides under any cuff.
- Styling: Two-tone pops with bracelets/rings; all-steel is minimalist and versatile. This is a dress-daily piece, not a sports watch.
- Market Prices & What to Pay (2025 snapshot)
- Typical runner (no box/papers): mid-hundreds to ~1,000 (currency-agnostic guideline).
- What moves price: Condition, bracelet length (links!), and the two-tone premium.
- Service docs: A recent, documented service adds real value.
Buying Guide: What to Check
- Bracelet fit: Ask for the inside length and spare links (two-tone links can be pricey/harder to source).
- Claws & screws: All four should sit flush; chewed or misaligned screws suggest rough past work.
- Dial printing: Crisp “Constellation” script and a centered star at 6; be wary of obvious re-dials.
- Crown & crystal: Ω-signed crown; sapphire should be clean—chips at 3/9 can indicate claw mishandling.
- Movement health: Fresh battery + short run video; repeated stops after a new cell often mean a module swap (straightforward).
- Water: Treat as not for swimming unless freshly resealed and pressure-tested.
Owning & Care
- Maintenance cadence: Replace battery and gaskets every couple of years; pressure-test only if you actually need water resistance.
- Parts path: If a coil/IC fails, a donor ETA 976.001 or Omega-signed 1455 module is a pragmatic fix.
- Use case: Office, dinners, daily dress wear. Keep it dry unless you’ve confirmed seals.
Who is it for?
- Design lovers who want the Manhattan look without the bulk or cost.
- Everyday wearers who value comfort, thinness, and low-maintenance ownership.
- New collectors seeking an approachable Omega with real brand DNA.
Bottom Line
The Constellation “Manhattan” Mini (795.1080) is one of the easiest ways to wear a piece of Omega design history. Nail the bracelet fit, verify tidy claws/dial, and confirm a healthy quartz module—and you’ve got a compact, elegant classic that’s effortless to live with.
