Omega

Omega is one of the prestige watch brands of the Swatch Group, the world’s biggest watchmaking group, based in Biel, Switzerland. Omega watches are sold in over 130 countries through a network of specially selected authorised agents and covered by an international warranty. Ever since its foundation in 1848, Omega has set the pace in watchmaking history, launching world-premieres, winning numerous design awards, setting precision records and even producing the only watch to be flight-qualified by NASA for use in outer space. This has built up a solid character for the brand, which is today represented internationally by top personalities.

The Omega watch collection consists of four main distinct lines, each with its own individual character, from the elegant Constellation dress watches to the robust and sporty Seamaster, the legendary Speedmaster chronographs and the classic look of the Omega De Ville.

The company also has an unparalleled record in sports timekeeping: after becoming the first company to be official timekeeper of all Olympic Games disciplines at Los Angeles in 1932, Omega went on to be official timekeeper at 21 Olympic Games and will continue this role at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

Omega and the world of sailing

The link between sailing and timekeeping has existed ever since sailors relied on high-precision marine chronometers for navigation. In spite of there being numerous specialist manufacturers of such timepieces, Omega was the only company to produce a wristwatch that received marine chronometer certification. French sailing legend Eric Tabarly, winner of the OSTAR east-west transatlantic race in 1964 and 1976, used the Omega Marine Chronometer wristwatch as a navigational aid. Though these precision timepieces have since been superseded by satellite technology such as GPS, there is still a strong demand for Omega’s robust and highly water resistant Seamaster watches and the brand retains its strong nautical links as a sponsor and official timekeeper of the world’s top competitive sailors and sailing events.

Omega’s sponsorship activities in sailing date back to the early 1990s. In 1992, the company sponsored the Omega Grand Prix of Match Race Sailing, which grouped together the world’s top eleven events. Young skippers such as Russell Coutts, Peter Gilmour, Rod Davis and Bertrand Pacé used this as a training ground for the America’s Cup and are today the top skippers in match race sailing. Omega has also been official timekeeper of the Swedish Match Cup for ten years and was also principal partner and official timekeeper of The Transat 2004.

The brand has also been involved in the America’s Cup, the most prestigious event in match race sailing, since 1995, when it supported the late Sir Peter Blake’s challenge in San Diego. The New Zealander’s success there paved the way for the Swiss watchmaker to become official timekeeper for the America’s Cup 2000 in Auckland, where Sir Peter and Team New Zealand successfully defended their title. In 2003, the brand was once again official timekeeper of the America’s Cup. In 2005, Omega continues its partnership by supporting one of the top syndicates: Emirates Team New Zealand.

The brand’s official timekeeper debut in long distance sailing was at the 1993/4 Whitbread Round the World Race, for which Omega was also official watch supplier to the winning yacht NZ Endeavour. The previous race in 1989 illustrated the importance of timekeeping at this event, since after 7600 miles only 28 seconds separated the crews in first and second place.

As one of Switzerland’s best-known watch brands, the company symbolized by the Greek letter for perfection is proud to be the preferred choice of sailing’s biggest stars. A long-term partnership with the Edmund Hillary of the seas, Sir Peter Blake, started in 1995 and covered two America’s Cup campaigns. When Sir Peter retired from professional sailing, Omega continued to support him as one of the main sponsors of his blakexpeditions project. Today, Omega continues to uphold his legacy with its support for Emirates Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup skipper Dean Barker since 2001

Omega has built up a strong partnership with solo yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur since she became an ambassador for the brand in 2002. Omega was the official timekeeper of her 2001 Jules Verne record attempt. On 7th February 2005, Ellen MacArthur achieved what many thought was impossible: she broke Francis Joyon’s solo round-the-world sailing record with a time of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. Omega is particularly proud to have been the official timekeeper of Ellen’s record-breaking voyage, with the on-board Omega clock counting down every nail-biting second. Her astonishing achievement earned her the title of dame, which was officially bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II.