Later this month, the 37th America’s Cup gets underway from Barcelona in Spain: the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, which was first awarded in 1851 on the Isle of Wight. Queen Victoria watched that very first race from her Royal yacht, with the winner being a boat named ‘America’. The Queen then asked who was in second place. The reply was: “Your Majesty, there is no second place.” And that’s been the guiding principle of the America’s Cup ever since.
A glance through some of the brands involved these days – from Prada to Red Bull – confirms just what hot property the event has become. No surprise then that the world’s top watch companies are enthusiastic backers, with Omega recently confirmed as the Cup’s official timekeeper once more – for the fourth time (after 2000, 2003, and 2021).
The brand’s relationship with the America’s Cup actually dates back to 1995, when Omega first sponsored the Team New Zealand boat: the defending champions this year.
OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300m America's Cup Edition
In the past, Omega has released special versions of the Aqua Terra and Seamaster (OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300m America's Cup Edition) chronograph to mark the America’s Cup. This year, there’s another brand new Seamaster to celebrate the partnership, featuring a white dial engraved with the classic laser-engraved wave pattern, as well as red and blue skeleton hands. As arguably the most iconic watch in Omega’s current range – thanks also to James Bond – this is a serious statement of intent from the Swatch group. With Omega rarely having been off our TV screens at the Olympic Games recently, the brand is enjoying unprecedented levels of awareness.
Outwardly, this latest release looks very much like the familiar Seamaster, but it’s packed with innovative America’s Cup tributes. The blue ceramic bezel incorporates a regatta timer, with two five-minute pre-start sections ahead of the actual start marker and regatta scale.
The star of the show is actually on the back of the case, with a prominent America’s Cup logo overlaying the exhibition caseback. Inside is the familiar Omega 8806 movement (certified by METAS, the Swiss institute of metrology) with a 56-hour power reserve. The whole watch, within a 42mm case, is waterproof to 300 metres: a functionality that the America’s Cup crews hopefully won’t be testing.
And speaking of cases, the presentation box is pretty stunning, coming in the blue, red, and white colours of the America’s Cup with contrasting stitching. There’s an overtly nautical commemorative theme; again with the logo prominently on display inside the lid of the box (representing the ‘Auld Mug’: the traditional nickname for the cup).
All this can be yours for £6100, with a choice of the classic steel bracelet or a blue rubber strap.
The America’s Cup runs from August 22 to October 27, with six nations going head to head in a series of heats and knock-out races before the final: with no prizes awarded for second place. Omega is also sponsoring a number of associated America’s Cup yachting competitions in Barcelona, including specialised events for women and youth teams.
The company’s president and CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann commented:
It’s a huge thrill to see the Omega name and logo on some of the sails of these cutting-edge boats. I’m proud to say, we’ve earned our place on the water, having served with distinction at three previous editions of the America’s Cup. We’re honoured to be tasked with measuring every microsecond of this historic boat race, and the exciting new races under the America’s Cup banner.”
