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A Partnership in Excellence: Omega Watches and the Olympic Games

Omega watches are well-respected among watch enthusiasts and admirers thanks to their proven track record of well-designed timepieces that are incredibly reliable and precise. In fact, their watches are so precise that they’re one of the only companies that are trusted to keep time at the highest levels of athletic competition at the Olympic Games.

The partnership between the Olympics and Omega goes back nearly a century at this point, with no sign of it ever stopping. When world records are at stake, the Olympics trusts Omega time and time again. Let’s take a closer look at the history of these two organisations.

Why Is Omega So Closely Tied to the Olympics?

Omega and the Olympic games are closely linked in the public consciousness because Omega has served as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932. Their partnership also includes the Youth Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. These elite-level competitions amongst the world’s top athletes require precise timing, and the Olympics has been able to rely on Omega time and time again to ensure accuracy.

Since becoming the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega has delved into other sports such as America’s Cup sailing, the Volvo Ocean Race, Diamond League athletics, FINA swimming, the annual PGA Championship major, and more. Omega is so reliable with their timekeeping that they have even sent their watches on all of NASA’s manned missions, including all six moon landings. This impressive history has made Omega one of the best and most popular luxury watch brands in the world. 

Omega’s Role as Official Timekeeper

As the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega times the events of the Olympic Games using their own precise technology. Over the years, Omega has continued to advance its innovations and introduce new timers for the Olympics. 

This innovation began in 1892 when they became the first watch manufacturer to introduce a wristwatch with a minute repeater. In 1932, they began their Olympics partnership and timed all the events at the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In 1952, they introduced automatic timers for the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki.

OMEGA SPEEDMASTER MARK II RIO 522.10.43.50.01.001

A Brief History of Omega’s Olympic Watches

In addition to being the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega frequently offers limited collections and special editions to celebrate the Olympics and their collaborations. These rare editions can sometimes be hard to come by and are always a great addition to any luxury watch collection.

As you might expect, Omega typically chooses a sports watch when designing their special Olympics editions. There have been editions made using the Aqua Terra, the Seamaster, the Seamaster Planet Ocean, and the Speedmaster.

How Long Are Limited Edition Omega Olympic Watches Available?

Omega’s Olympics Collections sell out quickly. For example, the Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection only released 2,020 pieces for each watch in the collection. Once the limited run is sold out, the timepiece is no longer available. 

Of course, if you’re wanting to have one of these watches to call your own, you can access the second-hand market. There are occasionally sellers who are willing to part with one of these watches after Omega finishes a limited edition run. That’s where BQ Watches can assist you.

A Recent Favourite: The Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection

If you’re looking to add one of the more recent additions to Omega’s Olympics releases to your collection, you may be interested in the Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection. This collection is made up of five watches that draw inspiration from the five colours of the Olympic rings – blue, yellow, black, green, and red.

The Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition features a 42mm case with tachymeter on the bezel, and it operates with a precise 1861 calibre automatic movement.

It is primarily found in stainless steel, but versions of the watch have a two-tone steel and gold design. What sets these watches apart from other Speedmasters is the Olympic colours used for the bezels and dials and the back of the case, which is embossed with the logo for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

When the Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection was released, it was only offered in Japan at official Omega stores. Each version was produced in a limited run of 2,020 pieces and 55 examples of a complete set of all five watches were also offered. The set came with a box that displayed all five watches and leather straps for each one.

BQ Watches Sourcing Service

If you’re on the hunt for a special edition Omega timepiece, you can count on BQ Watches to help. In addition to offering a fantastic selection of used luxury timepieces, we also offer comprehensive sourcing services. Simply let us know what model you’re looking for and our team will let you know as soon as we procure it. 

You can also count on BQ Watches for all of your other luxury watch service needs. With over 30 years of experience in the luxury watch industry, BQ Watches is a name you can trust.

Simply fill out our contact form below to request our sourcing services and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.