Jul
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games commence Omega is back for the 31st time since 1932 as the Official Timekeeper. While the world is enraptured by the love of the games and to see their countries’ players compete at the highest level, watch enthusiasts know all too well that this means another round of special edition timepieces from Omega to commemorate the event.
For many years Omega has released limited or unlimited special edition watches in tribute to the Olympic Games. It is now with great anticipation that fans of the watchmaking brand and the Olympics look forward to seeing what they will come up with. Here at DavidSW we’ve been proud to carry some of these spectacular pieces and I have to say, they’re some of our favorites.
Bringing it back to 2016 we have the smart and sporty Omega Speedmaster Mark II “Rio 2016” Limited Edition. For the Rio 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Omega decided to bring back the Mark II Speedmaster with some Olympic flare.
The watch has a matte black dial featuring three ring style subdials in bronze, yellow gold and silver respectively and on the flip side we get the Rio 2016 Olympics emblem. The case design and bracelet evoke the same DNA as the original Mark II but with modern touches and, of course, the watch has a limited production of only 2,016 pieces.
Moving right into 2020 we have the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch “Tokyo 2020” Limited Edition with Silver Dial and Red Bezel. In 2020 Omega gave us five limited production Speedmasters to commemorate the Summer games – one for each ring in the logo. Now, one could argue that all five are absolute knock-outs and they are, but if we’re picking favorites (and I am), this has to be the one for me.
In full stainless steel the silver dial has a ghost-tone to it that is very subtle but oh-so alluring. By comparison, the red ceramic Tachymetre bezel provides a huge pop of color. Adorned with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics emblem on the case back, this watch is limited to only 2,020 pieces. With the body of a traditional Speedmaster but with beautiful alterations to fit the event, this piece can be a fun side quest in your collection or the one-and-done chronograph.
For this next watch, we’re not changing years or games but we are changing collections. In 2020, Omega also gave us the unnumbered limited production Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Olympic Games Tokyo” Edition. A fan favorite for us at DavidSW, this is a watch that puts a smile on your face.
Beaming up from the wrist there’s just something that feels hopeful about the watch. Maybe like it’s going for the gold? In full stainless steel we get a bright white dial that fans will recognize but instead of the usual black bezel we get a fantastic shade of blue that is carried inwards on the hands, indices, and Omega logo. And of course, on the transparent case back we get the Tokyo 2020 Olympics emblem atop the Master Chronometer Caliber 8800.
Omega makes amazing watches and has been carrying the timekeeping torch for the Olympics for many years. For fans of the brand, owning a special edition piece to commemorate the event feels like owning a piece of history and if this year’s Paris 2024 releases are any indication (looking at you Seamaster), they’re only going to keep getting better.
