The Olympics are upon us and once again Omega is the official timekeeper for the events.
They’ve had the honor for over a span of 80 years since 1932 when the Games were in Los Angeles.
It’s a heavy responsibility to be the officiator when the difference of thousands of a second determine whether an athlete goes home with a medal or nothing at all. Equipment malfunction is a no-no.
In commemoration of those first timekeepers, a few years ago OMEGA released the Olympic Pocket Watch 1932 that’s an exact replica of the original used in 1932.
It seems an appropriate time to revisit this exclusive piece that represents a part of Olympic timing history.
The watch features a manual wind column-wheel chronograph with integrated rattrapante that has a power reserve of 32 hours.
Sprucing up the rhodium-plated chronometer movement are Geneva waves and circular graining. Talk about finishing. OMEGA went all out for this one.
I love the retro chrono pushers at 11:00 and 1 o’clock and the integrated OMEGA logo on top. Though at 70mm, this hefty specimen is much more a display piece than an everyday wearer, of course.
Pocket watches aren’t as out of fashion as you might think. Several companies like Longines and URWERK produce models that are sure to spiff up an outfit and make a statement.
Since their association with the Olympics, Omega has introduced many innovations into the games, including the first independent, portable and water-resistant photoelectric cell in 1948, the Racend OMEGA Timer, combining a photofinish camera with a timer, and “contact pads” for swimming competitions, which reacted to the touch of swimmers without being affected by water movement.
Timing technology has come a long way since 1932 when mechanical watches were used. Electronic timekeeper have taken over the games. Still, there’s no denying the nostalgia and charm of a pocket watch, especially one that hearkens back to the Olympics when chronographs were relied upon to do their job.
They come in three variations yellow, red and white gold and are limited production. Retail is $105,000 for whichever metal you choose.