Omega Olympic Watches

Omega has a long and illustrious history with the Olympics having become the official timekeeper for the Olympic games in 1932. These games were held in Los Angeles and was timed by a small Omega team using 30, split timer stopwatches. Since then, the Swiss watchmakers have fulfilled their role as timekeepers at 30 games, Paris 2024 will mark the 31^st occasion. Omega have gone on to also take up the timekeeping role for the Paralympics since 1992. During their time as official timekeepers, Omega have produced a number of limited and special edition watches to celebrate the part they have played at the games.

Some of the most notable pieces are detailed below.

Seamaster XVI

The first limited edition Olympic games timepiece was released in 1956 to commemorate the Olympic Games in Melbourne. The stunning Seamaster was beautifully encased in a Rose gold and displayed the Olympic Cross of merit on its dial. Omega had been awarded the Olympic cross of merit in 1952 for their service to the sports world, unfortunately they were unable to release these pieces for official sale as they had not acquired a licence to use the cross commercially. A simplified Seamaster XVI model 2850SC was released, the roman numerals relating to the16th Olympiad. This piece was powered an automatic movement inside an18ct yellow gold case. The new model had the XVI in place of the cross of merit on its dial.

Seamaster Chrono-Quartz “Albatross”

This design was unlike anything we would expect when we think about the style of Omega watches. Created for the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, the Steel Seamaster Chrono-quartz was one of the first dual display watches, it was also one of Omegas first quart movements. The ‘Albatross’ had one analogue dial and two smaller digital displays.

Omega Seamaster XXIX – Beijing 2008

This limited edition piece was made to commemorate the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Only 88 pieces were made and were exclusively sold at the games. The Seamaster XXIX took its inspiration from the previously mentioned XVI of 1956, and its design reflected its predecessor. Similar to the earlier version, the XXIX was simple in its design, with an all 18ct yellow gold case, classic white dial and black strap. The golden XXIX numerals, representing the 29th Olympiad are applied to the lower half of the dial. The case back is adorned with the Beijing Olympic logo and year, unlike the original which bore the Olympic cross of merit. This tribute to Omegas early days of producing Olympic edition watches has benefited from the brands technical advancements but with all of the style on which Omega pride themselves. The watch was presented, as most of the Omega Olympics Games watches, in a Beijing Olympic edition box.

Omega Seamaster 1948 Co-axial - London 2012

2012 was in fact the 3^rd occasion on which London have hosted the Summer Olympics, and with the release of the Olympic special edition ref 522.23.39.20.02.001, Omega chose to commemorate both of these occasions with this classic timepiece. The 39mm steel case sat on a black alligator leather strap, creating an elegant silhouette. This limited edition watch was powered by the Omega 2202 automatic movement and its case back was embellished with18ct yellow gold medallion bearing the London 2012 Olympic logo.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300m - Rio 2016

The Limited edition Seamaster Diver 300m was one of three limited edition models that were released for the Rio Olympic games. The Diver 300m edition was produced in the largest numbers of the three but was still limited to only 3016 pieces. An all steel sports watch, this was instantly recognisable as the brands famed Seamaster Diver model but came with an exciting pop of colour in the form of bezel minute markers which were in the bright primary colours of the Olympic rings and the wave design on the black dial were slightly more exaggerated that on your regular Seamaster, the inspiration for this effect was take from the famous Copacabana beach. This substantial, all steel model comes in at 41mm and is powered by the co-axial calibre 2500 and is emblazoned with the Rio 2016 logo on the case back.

The Seamaster is also joined by the Seamaster Bullhead -Rio 2016, is predominantly a vivid blue, from its strap to the inner rotating bezel, all in contrast to a stark white dial, is an impressive and eye catching watch. The colours of the Olympic rings are incorporated into the stitching on the strap and rotating bezel marker. The Bull Head ref 522.12.43.50.04.001 was limited to just 316 pieces.

The third watch in the Rio 2016 collection was the Speed Master Mark II, just 2016 were produced. The Mark II was designed with the 1962 Speedmaster in mind. The sleek case shape is crafted in steel, which enhances the strong black dial with chronograph dials. These inner dials were edged in bronze, gold, and silver to represent the Olympic medals.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Collection

Omega gave their customers quite the collection for the games in Tokyo. Firstly, there is the Aqua Terra models, one limited edition and two special edition pieces. The all steel Seamaster Aqua Terra150m was a striking model, with a blue ceramic dial, steel case and two strap options. The perfect example of all that the Aqua Terra stands for, a sophisticated design with the ability to join the wearer on their adventures whether it be on land or water. The case back was complete with the Tokyo 2020 logo as we would expect but this time it was etched into the sapphire crystal case back, to stunning effect. This limited edition ran pieces with just 2020.
The Aqua Terra model was also available in 18ct yellow gold in both a 38mm and a 41mm case option. Omega released a second limited edition piece for these games, a Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m which was also limited to 2020 pieces. The all-white Planet Oceans appearance was a tribute to the flag of the hosting nation. The watches steel case was fitted with a white ceramic bezel, white ceramic dial and white hands with a red dot detail on the second hand to make refence to the Japanese flag.

The Paris games are due to take place in the summer of 2024 and Omega have continued to honour their contribution to the event with their most recent Olympic model for Paris 2024.

Seamaster Diver 300m – Paris 2024

The Seamaster Diver 300m, ref 522.21.42.20.04.001 has been created to mark the Paris Olympic Games. The special edition is crafted using Steel and the brands own 18ct ‘Moonshine’ Gold, which beautifully frames the crisp white ceramic dial. The combination of colours and materials used in the design of this timepiece, perfectly marry together the sportiness for which the Seamaster models are known, and the elegant colours of the Paris 2024 logo. A consistent use of contrasting matt and polished finishes carries throughout the design which makes even the smallest details catch your eye. This contrast detailing works perfectly on the steel case back on which the highly polished flame logo of the games is etched into a 18ct gold disc with a matt finish. All features that you would expect from an Omega Seamaster Diver 300m are present here. The in-house automatic calibre 8800 is fitted into the large 42mm case which fits seamlessly onto its stainless steel bracelet. Omega have also released a set of NATO style straps to compliment this Seamaster model in the colours of the French flag as well as the Olympic rings, all of these straps are crafted using material from recycled fishing nets.

Omegas long standing relationship with the Olympic games has resulted in a vast range of special and limited edition watches that far exceeds this list, with most of them becoming hot property for collectors. The most recent Paris collection will undoubtedly continue the hunger for these special timepieces with enthusiasts of both the watch and athletics world.