OMEGA | On their 31st occasion as the Official Timekeeper for the Olympics

A timeless tale of precision and excellence

Each Olympic edition brings new sports, world records, historic moments, state-of-the-art venues, and a vibrant host city. This year, OMEGA’s prestigious honour continues in none other than Paris, the City of Light. Let the games begin…

Set to unfold across 15 iconic venues in the city, as well as various locations in the Île-de-France region and throughout France. From the serene Seine River to the majestic Grand Palais, OMEGA stands ready, as it always has, to ensure that every split second, every heartbeat, and every moment of triumph is captured with unparalleled precision. As nearly 15,000 athletes step onto the world stage—4,400 of whom will rise to the challenge in the Paralympic events—the world will watch in suspense.

The moment one Olympic event ends, OMEGA begins preparations for the next. Putting athletes at the front and centre of everything they do, and every piece of equipment undergoes rigorous testing to maintain the unrivalled precision OMEGA is known for.

In signature OMEGA style, the brand has unveiled a Countdown Clock at Port de la Bourdonnais in Paris under the iconic Eiffel Tower. This clock is counting down to the Opening Ceremony on July 26th, 2024 - this is how the City of Lights truly shines. But that’s not all, OMEGA has introduced the exclusive OMEGA House at the prestigious Hôtel de Poulpry. Located just a short walk from the Musée d’Orsay along the scenic River Seine, OMEGA House will offer a haven of sophistication, exhibition spaces, and endless entertainment for special guests and VIPs from around the world. RSVP? Oui.

The technology behind the timing

Since 1932, when OMEGA first took on the role of Official Timekeeper at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles with just 30 stopwatches precise to 1/10th of a second, the timekeeper has revolutionised sports timing technologies across 30 Olympic Games. Since then, there’s been plenty of noteworthy moments including the introduction of the world's first photoelectric cells and the slit photofinish camera developed by the British Race Finish Recording Company (famously known as OMEGA’s ‘Magic Eye’) at the 1948 Summer Games in London. The photocell, a key innovation, converts light into electrical signals, precisely timing athletes crossing the finish line for accurate and fair results - this marked a pivotal shift where machine-recorded measurements began to surpass the accuracy of human timekeeping.

Every athlete is competing to claim the coveted gold, silver, and bronze medals, where fractions of a second can determine the winners at the Olympics. Precision, therefore, reigns supreme—and who is better suited than OMEGA? Tasked with timing all 329 events spanning 32 sports, OMEGA will deploy the same cutting-edge equipment used at the Olympic Games, as well as their own specialised innovations. Intrigued? These are just a few of OMEGA’s technologies we can expect at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

OMEGA Olympic Games Special Edition timepieces

Watch collectors and aficionados you’re going to want to keep reading... OMEGA has also launched new Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024 editions and a Seamaster Diver 300M “Paris 2024” Special Edition timepiece.

OMEGA’s unveiling of the Seamaster Diver 300M “Paris 2024” Special Edition is a bespoke tribute to the XXXIII Olympiad and, let's just say, is well worth its weight (or should we say wait). This exclusive 42mm timepiece showcases a striking combination of stainless steel and 18ct Moonshine™ Gold, complemented by a laser-engraved white ceramic dial with a polished wave design that evokes oceanic exploration. Its bezel features a laser-structured diving scale with a luminous dot at 12 o'clock, while the caseback boasts a meticulously crafted 18ct Moonshine™ Gold medallion and stamped inscriptions of "Paris 2024" and the Olympic Rings.

While Heritage takes centre stage with OMEGA’s latest iterations of the Speedmaster Chronoscope. The 43mm series showcases four distinct models in the colours gold, black, and white, offering features such as a full stainless steel case with an anodized aluminium bezel or an 18ct Moonshine™ Gold case with a ceramic bezel, both available with calfskin leather strap options - timepieces worthy of the record books we reckon.

To commemorate this year's Paris 2024 Olympics, OMEGA unveiled another special timepiece to celebrate the moment. Drawing inspiration from a classic 1939 OMEGA wristwatch and the coveted Olympic medals, crafted in three winning materials—gold, silver, and bronze—this beauty sparks nostalgia with every glance.

The 39mm case is crafted in exclusive OMEGA Bronze Gold, known for its exceptional corrosion resistance without verdigris oxidation (a greenish patina that commonly forms on copper, brass, and bronze due to exposure to oxygen and moisture). Beneath the domed sapphire crystal, an Ag 925 silver dial shimmers with a refined “Clous de Paris” pattern, and the striking hands are crafted in 18ct Sedna™ Gold with a PVD bronze gold coating. It’s completely won us over, as has the small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Flip the watch to reveal the "BG 859" engraving on the caseback, paying homage to the Bronze Gold alloy and the classic "CK 859" and "OT 859" models. The pièce de résistance? A frosted medallion showcasing a mirror-polished Paris 2024 emblem and iconic Olympic rings. Complete with a brown calfskin leather strap adding a touch of vintage sophistication, carrying with it the unmistakable mark of OMEGA's iconic craftsmanship.

But it's not just about vintage aesthetics – the 8926 manual-winding movement beats at its heart boasting a 72 hour power reserve so you can experience reliability and functionality at its finest.