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Omega’s De Ville Prestige displays the five Olympic rings on the dial and features diamond indices |
SWITZERLAND. Omega, the first company ever appointed as official timekeeper for all Olympic disciplines in 1932, will mark its 23rd appearance as official timekeeper at the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games -more than any other company.
To celebrate the brand’s special relationship with the international event, Omega has released a collection of limited edition models:
Minus 1 Year – Constellation 95
The Beijing Olympic Collection was launched on 8 August 2007 with Limited Editions of the Constellation, one of the world’s best-selling watches.
The watches have some features which commemorate the Olympic Games. The Constellation Ladies’ model, for example, with its 22.5mm case and white mother-of-pearl dial, has five coloured hour marker jewels representing the Olympic rings. The remaining hour markers are set with white diamonds.
The Gentleman’s Constellation has a diameter of 35.5 mm and features its Olympic Rings on the seconds hand, along with a sun-brushed finish emanating from the applied star. Its hour markers are also set with diamonds. Both the men’s and women’s automatic chronometer models are available in 18ct yellow gold, red gold or bi-colour gold and stainless steel.
Each model in the collection is produced in numbered limited editions of 888 or 2,008 pieces, depending on the case metal.
Minus 288 Days – De Ville
The De Ville Co-Axial Chronograph Ladies’ Limited Edition commemorating this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing was launched on 25 October 2007, 288 days before the opening ceremony. The collection comes in three versions which reflect the Olympic medals: yellow gold, white gold and red gold. Only 288 of the new De Ville women’s watches have been made in each precious metal.
Along with the white mother-of-pearl dial and alligator strap, the watches have 0.08ct diamond briolette set on the crown; polished 18ct gold bezel set with 42 diamonds; elliptical chronograph counters; 35mm case; and the exclusive Omega Calibre 3313 with Co-Axial Escapement.
The watches have 18ct gold dial bases and hands which match their cases. The hour markers are set with diamonds and there are gold outer rings on the counters and white Super-LumiNova on the hands. The five Olympic rings appear on the chronograph second hand’s counterweight and the Beijing 2008 logo is stamped on the caseback.
Minus 188 Days – Seamaster Aqua Terra
The launch of the Seamaster Aqua Terra Chronograph Limited Editions introduces two versions of the popular Seamaster model: one combines 18ct red gold and stainless steel; the other is made of stainless steel. Limited to 2,008 numbered pieces each, they feature the five coloured Olympic rings as a counterweight on the chronograph seconds hand.
The Beijing Aqua Terra Chronographs have a bold black dial with a silver 30-minute totaliser at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour totaliser and date window at 6 o’clock and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. The polished stainless steel caseback is stamped with the Beijing 2008 Olympic logo and engraved with the limited edition number.
They are powered by the Omega calibre 3301 self-winding chronograph with a 52-hour power reserve and official chronometer certification. Both models are water-resistant to 150m/500ft.
Minus 88 Days – Constellation Double Eagle Co-Axial Chronograph
The Omega Constellation Double Eagle Co-Axial Chronographs are presented in men’s and women’s models in numbered 18ct yellow, white and red gold limited editions of 288 pieces each. The men’s models feature brushed 18ct gold bezels with tone-in-tone Roman numerals; the women’s model bezels are polished 18ct gold set with 32 diamonds with a combined weight of 1.23ct.
Each model features the Beijing 2008 Olympic Collection’s five-ring logo on the counterweight of the central seconds hand. The Olympic theme continues with the 18ct yellow, white or red gold dials and the Beijing 2008 logo stamped above the limited-edition number engraved on the screw-in caseback. A subtle reference to the “lucky number 8” theme of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Collection is represented by the discreet figure 8 formed by the 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph totalisers.
The Double Eagle Co-Axial Chronograph is a COSC-certified chronometer with a power reserve of 52 hours. All models have a screw-fixed rubber strap on a brushed 18ct gold foldover clasp. The watches are water-resistant to 100m (330ft).
Countdown 0 – Seamaster XXIX Limited Edition
The Omega Seamaster XXIX Limited Edition is described as among the most desired of all the exclusive timepieces on offer at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing 2008.
The watch will only be available in Beijing and only during the Olympic Games. The initial limited release of 88 numbered Seamaster XXIX watches will take place on 8 August 2008 – 08/08/2008 – the day of the opening ceremony. Only 88 of these unique Seamasters will be sold each day between the 8 and 24 August.
The Seamaster XXIX has been inspired by its ancestor, the Seamaster XVI, which was specially produced to honour the Games of the XVI Olympiad in Melbourne in 1956 and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Omega’s role as official timekeeper in 1957.
The Seamaster XVI featured unbreakable hesalite glass; protection against water, dust, temperature variations and atmospheric pressure; a double system of shock protection, and, reflecting the tastes of the time, its case measured 34mm. Its caseback was stamped with the Olympic Cross of Merit, awarded to Omega during the 1952 Games in Helsinki “for outstanding service to the world of sports”.
While the new Seamaster XXIX was inspired by the Seamaster XVI, it blends some distinctive design enhancements with Omega’s revolutionary Co-Axial technology. The hour markers and hands along with the vintage logo and name applied on the polished ivory dial are made of 18ct yellow gold, as are the applied Roman numerals “XXIX” symbolising the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing. The Seamaster XXIX’s 37mm polished 18ct yellow gold case is delivered on a black caiman leather strap with an 18ct yellow gold buckle. It has a box-form scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment and is water-resistant to a depth of 100m.
At the heart of the Seamaster XXIX Limited Edition is the Omega Calibre 2403, a chronometer with Omega’s 21st Century Co-Axial technology. The caseback features the official Beijing Olympic logo with the limited series number (0/88) and the watch’s date of issue. The Seamaster XXIX is presented in a personalised matte black wooden gift box.
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Omega Co-Axial Chronograph, part of the Olympic Timeless Collection |
Beijing 2008: Unique No 8 Collection
Described as the ultimate Olympic collector’s item, this watch collection retails at CHF888,888 (US$840,000). Based on the “lucky number 8” concept, it includes an example of every Omega timepiece licensed for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing. The watches are delivered in a striking, black walnut pagoda-influenced tower with a lacquered finish. The Unique No. 8 Collection is limited to one only.
It is composed of the eighth numbered piece of each of the 32 limited-edition watches in the Omega Beijing Olympic Collection, plus three “Olympic Split Seconds Chronograph 1932” pocket watches, also numbered 008 in their limited editions of 100 pieces. The launch of the 32 limited-edition watches corresponds to countdown dates leading up to the Olympics, starting with Minus One Year, followed by Minus 288 days, Minus 188 days, Minus 88 days and culminating with Countdown 0: 8 August, 2008.
The 35 classic timepieces in this one-of-a-kind collection are presented in a black walnut case whose intricate design pays homage to traditional Chinese architecture. Popular belief in China holds that the number 8 is fortuitous, so the watches representing the Beijing Olympic Collection are housed in the black tower in eight separate drawers, placed one above the other reminiscent of a rectangular pagoda. The concept also reflects the brand’s entry into the Chinese market in 1895.
The eight drawers contain (from the top):
1. Three “Olympic Split Seconds Chronograph 1932” pocket watches, one each in 18ct yellow, white, and red gold, all with limited edition number 008/100. These watches were purchased especially for the “Beijing 2008, Unique No. 8 Collection” at the Omegamania auction which took place in April 2007.
2. A Seamaster XXIX commemorating the Seamaster XVI which was released in 1956 in honour of the Melbourne Olympic Games (limited edition number 8/88, date of issue 08/08/2008). These are to be launched at Countdown 0 – 8 August, 2008, the first day of the Olympic Games. 88 pieces will be released each day of the games, from 8 to 24 August, 2008.
3. Two De Ville Prestige Ladies’ 22.50mm watches (one in 18ct yellow gold and steel with diamond indices on the dial; the other in 18ct yellow gold and steel with applied golden numerals) and two De Ville Prestige 36.50mm watches (one in 18ct yellow gold and steel with diamond indices on the dial; the other in 18ct yellow gold and steel with applied golden numerals). Each of the four watches is numbered 8/2008. These are also being released at Minus 88 Days (12 May 2008).
4. Three Constellation Double Eagle Chronograph Gents’ 41mm watches (one each in 18ct yellow, white, and red gold) and three Constellation Double Eagle Ladies’ 35mm watches (one each in 18ct yellow, white, and red gold). The precious metals reflect the gold, silver, and bronze medals on the winners’ podiums. The watches have been produced in limited editions of 288 pieces; each watch has the limited edition number 8/288. These are being released at Minus 88 Days (12 May 2008).
5. Two Aqua Terra Chronograph 42.20mm watches (one in 18ct red gold and steel; the other in steel). Each is numbered 8/2008. These were released at Minus 188 Days (2 February 2008).
6. Three De Ville Ladies’ chronograph watches (one each in 18ct yellow, white, and red gold, representing the Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, respectively). These three timepieces carry the limited-edition number of 8/288. These were released at Minus 288 Days (25 October 2007).
7. Eight Constellation “˜95 Ladies’ (22.5mm) watches each of which represents a different, distinctive combination of metals and jewels. They have been produced in four limited editions of 888 and four limited editions of 2008, depending on the metal and jewel configuration. The Constellations have the limited edition number of 8 (8/888 or 8/2008). These were also released at Minus One Year (8 August 2007).
8. Eight Constellation ’95 (35.5mm) watches which, like the Constellation “˜95 Ladies’ (22.5mm) watches, have different distinctive combination of fine metals and jewels. The Constellations have been produced in six limited editions of 888 and two limited editions of 2008, depending on the metal and jewel configuration. Each of the Constellations has the limited edition number of 8 (8/888 or 8/2008). These were released at Minus One Year (8 August 2007).
Omega and the Olympic Games
Omega was first called upon in 1932 to provide 30 pocket watch chronographs for use at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are the brand’s 23rd as official timekeeper. The Beijing 2008 Unique No. 8 Collection was conceived as the ultimate commemoration of the relationship between Omega and the Games: 35 distinctive timepieces representing 160 years of Omega watchmaking, 76 years of Olympic timekeeping and 113 years of Omega in China.
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