As time draws near to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, sports enthusiasts build anticipation for the incredible performances they will witness. To celebrate the event, OMEGA releases two exquisite limited edition timepieces. These will be parts of the luxury brand’s legacy as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. Looking back, there have been occasions in OMEGA’s history of timekeeping worth remembering. We have listed down five of these memorable moments.
Beginning of a legacy
In Los Angeles 1932, OMEGA was the first company to take on the role of timekeeping the Olympic Games. They partnered with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and have since then collaborated until the present. OMEGA is responsible for handling data, displaying game results, and delivering these to the media.
At the official countdown for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Chair of the IOC’s Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission John Coates shared, “[OMEGA brings] a level of timekeeping precision and experience that is vital to the Olympic Games and all the athletes who compete.”
The greatest moments
St. Moritz 1948 Olympic Winter Games and London Games: A time that ushered an electronic way of timekeeping sports. OMEGA used its “Magic Eye” or photoelectric cells and a slit photo finish camera to accurately time the performances.
Croix du Mérite Olympique 1952: The OMEGA Time Recorder allowed recording of official times to the nearest hundredth of a second and printed the results. This invention earned them the Croix du Mérite Olympique.
Mexico 1968: Swimmers stopped the clock through a touchpad in the pool. This allowed them to record their own time without the need for poolside timekeepers.
Albertville Winter Games 1992: OMEGA invented the Scan-O-Vision for speed skaters. The device allowed to digitally measure to the nearest thousandth of a second as skaters crossed the finish line.
Vancouver 2010: Electronic Start System replaced the traditional starting pistol. OMEGA’s invention featured a red flashgun and a box to generate the sound of a shot.
Tokyo 2020 Games
For next year’s games, OMEGA unveils Seamaster Aqua Terra Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition and Seamaster Planet Ocean Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition. These two watches are available in only 2,020 pieces for each model.
The Aqua Terra features the first ceramic dial of the collection. The polished blue hue and engraved Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games emblem make for an elegant finish. Apart from its beautiful design, the watch carries the highest standard of precision and magnetic resistance with its Master Chronometer Calibre 8900.
The Seamaster Planet Ocean has a touch of Japanese design. There is a lollipop for the central hand and a varnished red tip as a tribute to Japan’s flag. This wristwatch carries Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 and a sapphire crystal case back. Aside from the white leather strap, there is an additional NATO strap in the box.
These two OMEGA Limited Edition timepieces are the perfect memorable items for next year’s much-anticipated Olympic Games.
Photos from OMEGA.
