Snapshots
As long as Omega is the official Olympic timekeeper, fans can anticipate many limited edition new Omega releases for both the summer and winter games. Just one week after releasing the first Milano Cortina 2026 watch, they did the same thing for the Paris 2024 special edition to commemorate the previous Summer Olympics, which took place a full year ago. With the release of the new Omega Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026, we enter the final year of the 2026 Winter Olympics countdown. They have released a limited edition Seamaster Diver 300M for Paris 2024. The 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 takes more inspiration from the collection's early timepieces following its 1948 inception than from the modern Seamaster line.
What do we love about this new Omega watch?
The aesthetic
This stunning 37-mm Seamaster with an 18k Moonshine Gold case, designed with a vintage aesthetic in mind, has been released by the company in the lead-up to next year's event. The caseback is Olympic logo-embossed and includes a grand white feu enamel dial with applied Moonshine Gold indexes and dauphine hands; the watch is inspired by classic Seamaster models from the late 1950s.
The ideal timepiece to wear to the press conference after winning your first gold medal, this watch is powered by the automatic Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8807 and comes with a brown leather strap.
The design
This limited edition revives the timeless features of the original Seamaster design. The 18K Moonshine Gold symmetrical casing is water-resistant up to 100 metres and is 37 mm wide with an 11.4 mm tick. Its polished finish and unusual hexagonal crown accentuate its exquisite proportions, reminiscent of the first Seamaster Olympic clocks. The Grand Feu enamel dial, which is white in colour, is stunning! The flawless surface showcases elegantly sculpted hour markers made of 18K Moonshine Gold and facetted dauphine hands made of 18K gold. Grey Petit Feu enamel depicts the minute track and the old Seamaster emblem. The closed case back, with a grained medallion, secures the movement. On the medallion of the Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026—which also has the five Olympic rings—is the sole component that is linked to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The craftsmanship
Omega has taken a more understated approach on the dial in keeping with its roots. Instead of the Cross of Merit or affixed Roman numerals that were used to connect it to the 1956 and 2008 Olympic Games, a white Grand Feu enamel dial with a dome is shown. This one has Moonshine Gold-finished solid yellow gold Dauphine hands and sculpted hour markers made of 18k gold. In addition to the brand's name and emblem, the minute track and classic 'Seamaster' writing are transferred in grey Petit Feu (cold) enamel as finishing touches.
The storied history behind this new launch
The Omega Seamaster XVI reference 2850, which was created for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and is formally known as the Seamaster "Cross of Merit," is another Olympic-themed timepiece.
There were two variants of the Seamaster XVI: the classic and the one with the Cross of Merit on the dial and caseback. For their work in timekeeping, Omega was awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit in 1952 after the Helsinki Olympics. With its 34 mm gold case, flat coin-edge bezel, Calibre 471 automatic movement inside, and dial decorated with faceted triangular markers and an applied XVI logo at 6 o'clock, this reference 2850 was introduced by Omega in 1956 to celebrate the Melbourne Olympics, the 16th Olympiad.
The Seamaster XXIX Limited Edition, a direct descendant of the 1956 model, was one of many limited edition watches launched by Omega in 2008 in conjunction with the brand's reappointment as the official timekeeper of the Beijing Olympics.
The case, which was still 37 mm in diameter and retained the signature "dog leg" lugs crafted of yellow gold, was now 100 m water-resistant and set with a sapphire crystal. The vintage-style applied markings remained on the ivory-toned dial, but the logo at 6 o'clock was swapped out for the 29th Summer Games-related Roman numeral XXIX. An automatic chronometer movement with a Coaxial escapement, the Omega 2403 calibre, was fitted to the Seamaster XXIX Limited Edition. With an edition size of only 88 pieces, it is one of the rarest examples of Omega's Olympic-themed timepieces.
We know that we will be looking forward to the future launches from Omega for the Olympics- there’s lots of luxury and watchmaking finesse yet to come from the storied watchmaker.