The limited edition Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph features extraordinary precision under pressure.
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Rich with history, innovation and prestige, the America’s Cup is one of the world’s oldest and most dramatic sporting events. As a tribute to its 2021 staging and to celebrate its longstanding association with the event, Omega is launching its Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph.
Omega’s association with the event started in 1995 when the brand supported Team New Zealand, led by the legendary sailor Sir Peter Blake. The kiwi’s victory that year paved the way for watch label to take the coveted role of Official Timekeeper in 2000 and again in 2003. This year, the Swiss brand is returning for the 36th edition of the storied event.
Since its early days, Omega has built a heritage that is well-entrenched in water. The brand created the first commercially available divers’ watch in 1932, long before its connection to sailing began. Countless ocean explorers and professional divers—from the British Royal Navy, to men and women of science, to legends of the sea—then started making use of the brand’s depth-defying timepieces. This includes Dame Ellen MacArthur, who broke the solo round-the-world record in 2005, as well as free diver Jacques Mayol, and world famous conservationist Jacques Cousteau.
It’s no surprise that the watchmaker’s popularity beneath the waves would lead to success even above it.
Nautical heritage
The legendary sailing duel has been fiercely contested for 170 years, with teams from only four different countries winning in that impressive span of time. First offered as the Hundred Guinea Cup on August 20, 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain for a race around the Isle of Wight. The competition was renamed the America’s Cup as a tribute to the winning boat, a 100-foot schooner from New York called America.
Today, schooners are more likely to be sailed by the event’s spectators. The latest AC75 monohull boats are in a different league, with unique features such as T-wing hydrofoils mounted on port and starboard, a double-skinned semi-battened mainsail, and the absence of a keel.
The competition predates the modern Olympic Games by 45 years, and its coveted prize, the “Auld Mug,” is the oldest trophy in international sport. The 27-inch high trophy fashioned from 134 ounces of Sterling Silver has been the source of fierce international rivalries and spectacular duels. It takes many wins on the water to claim the prize, and there’s no second place—either you win it all, or come home empty handed.
Apart from its prominence at the world famous regatta in 2000 and 2003, Omega has served as Official Timekeeper at almost every Olympic Games since 1932. Throughout the years, adventurous sailors have also relied on watch brand’s high-precision marine chronometers for navigation, including French sailing legend Eric Tabarly, winner of the OSTAR east-west transatlantic race in 1964 and 1976. Today, the brand’s strong nautical links include partnerships with top competitive sailors and sailing events.
Sail away
Omega’s tribute timepiece is as fierce and powerful as the competition is on water.
This stainless steel 44 mm chronograph has a blue ceramic dial and bezel ring with white enamel diving scale. The laser-engraved wave-pattern dial includes a “regatta countdown indicator ring,” hull-inspired hands and an America’s Cup counterweight on the central seconds chronograph hand. The brand’s exclusive Chrono Lock system secures the chronograph functions.
To secure the watch to the wrist, there’s a metal bracelet and additional rubber strap, which are equipped with the Swiss brand’s new Quick Change system. Engraved in blue lacquer on the Alveol-shaped caseback are “36th America’s Cup” and “Auckland 2021.” Driving the Diver is Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9900.
This year, the Race Course will be at Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, which is roughly 1.7 nautical miles long, and between 0.5nm and 0.8nm wide. Boats must remain precisely within the set boundaries throughout the race. On March 6, Emirates Team New Zealand will face the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli of Italy a 13-race match. The first team to score seven points will lift “Auld Mug,” and also become the Defender of the 37th America’s Cup. For more information, visit omegawatches.com.
