Omega is marking a partnership with Alinghi, a two-time winner of the America’s Cup, with a special edition Speedmaster with the team’s logo on the dial.
Omega is also the Official Timekeeper for the 2021 America’s Cup, which is scheduled to take place in New Zealand. A special Seamaster has already been unveiled as part of the partnership.
Omega chose a Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon as the model to personalize for the Alinghi team.
The watchmaker says the Speedmaster “perfectly reflects the fast boats that fly across the water”.
It uses a decorated Calibre 1865, a hand-wound movement that is lighter and slimmer than equivalent automatics.
The movement’s barrel and mainplate have been laser-cut to give them a honeycomb effect that looks like the inside of the Alinghi carbon hull. The same laser ablation technology has then been used to decorate all other bridges with a black carbon pattern, also inspired by the carbon that is used for the boat’s hull.
The all black 44.2mm watch is made from black zirconium oxide ceramic. It has white and red accents that also match the Alinghi livery.
It goes on sale this week with Omega and its authorized dealers for $10,800 plus taxes.
Omega has a packed schedule of sporting events next year, with the America’s Cup and Olympic Games taking place almost back-to-back.
Postponement of this year’s Tokyo Olympics will have been hugely disruptive to the watchmaker, but Omega president and chief executive Raynald Aeschlimann has lost none of his appetite for investing in the world’s biggest sporting spectacles.
“No, we haven’t lost our enthusiasm at all,” he tells WatchPro. “These collaborations are professional but they are also deeply personal. We enjoy them very much and they generate fantastic experiences, wonderful stories and social content. Elegant events are an important part of the Omega experience. It’s frustrating when plans are disrupted, but we always have to be flexible and ready to adapt, even during normal years,” he adds.
“This year has been very challenging,” Mr Aeschlimann continues. All going well, the America’s Cup will mark a triumphant return to exciting international sporting events that everyone in the world can enjoy. We will certainly be making the best of the opportunities, but the biggest thrill will be personally reconnecting with our valued partners.”
Sponsorship of events like the Olympic Games and America’s Cup is a way for Omega to align with sports where every split second counts, a natural association with Swiss watches, and to get the brand in front of global television, newspaper and digital audiences.
It is also a chance to bring partners together for spectacular jollies, something that has been impossible this year with large gatherings banned.
Omega sounds determined to put on a great show to reinforce these vital relationships. “We will be turning on the best of Omega hospitality for our partners and guests. They can expect great views of the races, often on the water – and plenty of very elegant opportunities to get together, analyze the performances and toast the winning crews,” Mr Aeschlimann promises.
