Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal®

In a split decision, the United States Supreme Court has upheld an appeals court ruling that found Costco Wholesale Corporation had violated U. S. copyright law when it sold Omega Seamaster wristwatches well below retail price without Omega’s permission.

The practice employed by discounters and off-price retailers of buying imported luxury watches and other products from middlemen and selling them at lower prices is referred to as grey market trading.

Omega argued successfully that it could use the copyrighted logo on its watches to block their sale. For Omega, the decision was a victory as it upholds their right to control the distribution, price and resale of its products.

The Swatch Group and Omega commend the decision as it provides a legal mechanism to help control the spread of grey market trading. According to an analysis conducted by Deloitte LLP for Bloomberg in 2009, the grey market costs manufacturers as much as $63 billion per year.

OMEGA presented Woolstencroft with a Seamaster Planet Ocean wristwatch

Skier won a record five consecutive gold medals

Vancouver, BC, April 6, 2010 – Canadian skier Lauren Woolstencroft had been known as the Golden Girl of Paralympics since 2002 when she claimed two gold medals and a bronze at the Games in Salt Lake City. At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games her status evolved from impressive to legendary as she topped the podium in each of the five events she entered.

Woolstencroft is the only winter Paralympian in history to win five gold medals at a single Paralympic Games.

OMEGA, the Official Timekeeper of the Paralympic Winter Games, presented Woolstencroft with a Seamaster Planet Ocean wristwatch in celebration of her remarkable accomplishment. The presentation was made at the OMEGA Olympic Games Boutique on the ground floor of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

After receiving her watch, the ski star posed for photographs and signed the Boutique’s guest book. Woolstencroft said “What a great honour to be recognized and be given the gift of time for my accomplishments at the Paralympic Winter Games. To receive an OMEGA watch from the official timekeeper of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games is very exciting.”

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games have been widely heralded for their representation of the notion of true sport. At the Closing Ceremony on the 21st of March, International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven praised the Games and the athletes, saying, “Together, we have all captured the Paralympic Spirit from these Games and can carry it around the world.”

OMEGA and the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games

OMEGA’s famous logo has been a familiar site in Vancouver and Whistler and on television screens around the world throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The brand’s association with the Olympic Games dates back to 1932 in Los Angeles and OMEGA was also proud to have the opportunity to apply its timekeeping expertise to the Paralympic Games. The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games were the 24th at which OMEGA has been Official Timekeeper. The Swiss watchmaker recently extended its agreement to continue to serve in its timekeeping role at the Olympic and Paralympic Games through 2020.

Christophe Berthaud, the general manager of OMEGA Timing presents Sir Philip Craven with an OMEGA Seamaster Vancouver 2010 Limited Edition watch

Sir Philip Craven, the President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), visited OMEGA’s Paralympic Countdown Clock in downtown Vancouver and the Olympic Games Boutique at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Tuesday, March 16th.

Sir Philip, joined by his wife, was welcomed by Christophe Berthaud, the general manager of OMEGA Timing, the company responsible for the timekeeping and data handling at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Berthaud introduced Sir Philip, who has been president of the IPC since 2001, to the Boutique’s staff who showed him some of the highlights of their display, including the Constellation ’09 Collection, the Olympic Pocket Watch 1932, the Seamaster Vancouver 2010 Limited Edition watch created to commemorate the Games, and the Speedmaster Professional – the legendary Moonwatch.

Afterwards, Sir Philip signed OMEGA’s guestbook and Christophe Berthaud presented him with a commemorative Olympic Pin Set and an OMEGA Seamaster Vancouver 2010 Limited Edition watch. Sir Philip and Mr. Berthaud then posed for photographs with members of the Boutique’s staff and chatted with visitors and well wishers.

In addition to his high-profile role as president of the IPC, Sir Philip Craven is one of the most successful Paralympians of all time, having represented Great Britain in wheelchair basketball at five editions of the Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1988. Remarkably, in 1972, he also competed in track and field athletics and swimming.

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games opened on the 12th of March and will continue through the 21st of March.

Gold Medal winner Maelle Ricker, and OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart in bobsleight, standing in the back is Astronaut Tom Stafford and in the back is Astronaut Gene Cernan

Snowboard cross star was the first Canadian woman to win gold at home

One of the most thrilling finishes at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games resulted in a tale of national pride and Olympic redemption. Maëlle Ricker, competing in snowboard cross only a few kilometers from where she grew up, became the first Canadian woman ever to win an Olympic gold medal in her homeland.

OMEGA, the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Winter Games, presented Ricker with a Seamaster Planet Ocean wristwatch in celebration of her accomplishment. She joined OMEGA president Stephen Urquhart and NASA astronauts and OMEGA brand ambassadors Gene Cernan and Tom Stafford in the brand’s lounge at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver where the presentation of the watch took place.

They then crossed the street to pose for photographers in OMEGA‘s red bobsleigh in front of the Official Countdown Clock in downtown Vancouver.

When he presented Ms. Ricker with her watch, Stephen Urquhart said, “We are so happy to share this gift of time with Maëlle. She’s a true champion and embodies all that is great about the Olympic Winter Games. She demonstrated drive, determination and a winning spirit. We are particularly pleased to be making this presentation to a national hero in her home city.”

Maëlle Ricker responded enthusiastically, “This amazing Omega watch is a great honour. Now I definitely won’t be late for any of my upcoming snowboard world cups. Olympic partners like Omega really keep the Games running on time and I’m really happy to have created a gold medal moment for Canada.”

When Maëlle Ricker participated in snowboard cross at the Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games her hopes for a medal were dashed by a fall which resulted in a concussion. She has said that Turin served as a motivation to work particularly hard in preparation for the Games in Vancouver.

Ricker is an established star in her sport. She has 23 World Cup medals in snowboard cross, including 12 victories. She has been to the podium seven times in World Cup halfpipe competition and has claimed two gold medals.

OMEGA and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

OMEGA’s famous logo is a familiar site in Vancouver and Whistler and on television screens around the world. The brand’s association with the Olympic Games dates back to 1932 in Los Angeles. That year, OMEGA became the first company ever to be entrusted with the timekeeping at every Olympic event. The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games are the 24th at which OMEGA has been Official Timekeeper. The IOC and the Swiss watchmaker recently extended their agreement through 2020.

Apolo Anton Ohno and Omega at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games © IOC/Richard Juilliart

Newest brand ambassador on his way to Olympic history in Vancouver

Vancouver, BC, Feb. 13, 2010 – American speed skating star Apolo Anton Ohno added to his Olympic medal total when he claimed silver in the 1500-metre short track event at Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. OMEGA’s newest brand ambassador tied Bonnie Blair as the most decorated American Winter Olympian of all time.

Korean Lee Jung-Su won the gold medal and Ohno’s countryman J. R. Celski finished third to claim the bronze.

OMEGA began its Olympic timekeeping tradition at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games. In addition to its prominent role as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, OMEGA has been behind many of the most important technological developments in all of sports timekeeping – including new technologies for the sport of speed skating, many of which Ohno has experienced first-hand.

“In my sport, where the difference between a gold, silver and bronze medal comes down to 1/1000 of a second, OMEGA’s cutting-edge timekeeping technology and unmatched accuracy give me the confidence to keep my focus on performing my absolute best,” said Ohno. “I am proud to partner with OMEGA here in Vancouver and help celebrate the brand’s rich Olympic history. It is an absolute honour to receive their support and be part of a brand that means so much to the Olympic Movement.”

Apolo Anton Ohno and Omega at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games © IOC/Richard Juilliart

At the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, OMEGA introduced its Scan-O-Vision system for speed skating that digitally measured times to the nearest thousandth of a second as the skaters crossed the finish ligne. The system effectively photographed time by fusing time and continuous picture in a single document, heralding a new chapter in the science of timekeeping. At the Winter Games in Turin in 2006, where Ohno won three medals, transponders were strapped to the ankles of speed skaters so that timekeepers might capture a moment of sudden acceleration, the speed round a hairpin bend, or the abrupt end to a challenge as a racer crashed to the ice.

As the newest member of the OMEGA family, Ohno will wear the OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Olympic Timeless Collection Chronograph. To celebrate his relationship with the brand, Ohno will visit the recently-opened OMEGA Boutique in Vancouver for a special appearance following his performance at the Games, and will visit the OMEGA Flagship Boutique in New York City for a special appearance upon his return to the United States.

“We are very proud to support Apolo here in Vancouver and congratulate him on his outstanding performance,” said OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart. “He is poised to make history of his own here and we are thrilled that he is part of the OMEGA family.”

A five-time Olympic medallist, Ohno is currently tied for the most career winter medals by a U.S. man. He has won an Olympic medal in every event that he has competed, capturing gold (1500m) and silver (1000m) medals at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games and gold (500m) and two bronze (1000m, 5000m relay) medals at the 2006 Winter Games in Torino. He has been the top American short-track skater since 2001, capturing 12 U.S. National titles, three overall World Cup titles and becoming the first and only American to win the overall World Championships title. The Seattle native’s profile was elevated when he was the winning contestant on the popular American television programme “Dancing with the Stars” in 2007.

Omega Countdown clock - Vancouver

For Vancouver and OMEGA’s timekeepers, the long wait is over

The Opening Ceremony at each edition of the Olympic Games is a much-anticipated event as the world waits to see how the host city will launch the most prestigious sporting extravaganza on Earth. The city of Vancouver more than rose to the occasion with a spectacular display of choreography, lights and special effects and a roster of Canadian entertainment legends.

It was the first time in the history of the Olympic Games that an Opening Ceremony had taken place indoors. More than 55,000 spectators filled the B. C. Place Stadium, which has the largest air-supported dome in North America.

The ceremony featured a dazzling array of Canada’s best-known musicians and entertainers including Bryan Adams, Nellie Furtado, Sarah McLachlan and k.d. lang.

Also featured were representatives from Canada’s indigenous Four Host First Nations who welcomed the world to the Games in English, French and their own languages..

There was a somber moment when the Georgian team entered the stadium during the parade of athletes. Earlier in the day, their teammate Nodar Kumaritashvili died following a crash during a training run for the men’s luge singles. The spectators cheered loudly for the team and later, observed a minute of silence in Kumaritashvili’s memory.

The Canadian team entered the stadium to a tumultuous ovation, led by flagbearer Clara Hughes, who is the only athlete from her country to medal in both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. A former cyclist, she is the only athlete in history to win multiple medals at both Games.

After much speculation about who would be the final torch carrier and light the Olympic cauldron, Canadian hockey great Wayne Gretzky had a hand in lighting two – the first was in the stadium where he was joined by Paralympian Rick Hansen, speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan, NBA star Steve Nash and skier Nancy Greene.

Gretzky then carried the official flame outside and hopped into a pickup truck which carried him to an outdoor display near the city center, where he lit a similar cauldron to the one indoors.

Fireworks erupted outside the arena and elsewhere in the city, bringing the ceremony to a close.

Asked about the Ceremony, OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart said, “First let me say that like everyone in the Olympic family, all of us at OMEGA are saddened beyond words by the death of this talented young Georgian athlete.” He added, “Vancouver and Canada gave us a truly outstanding event. We expected something very special but this was thrilling. We are happy for the cities of Vancouver and Whistler. They have worked long and hard for the Olympic Winter Games and we are looking forward to delivering flawless timekeeping results to them.”

OMEGA is serving in its capacity as Official Olympic Timekeeper for the 24th time since 1932. At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the brand has deployed a team of 235 timekeeping and data handling professionals who are supported by 290 trained local volunteers. The 250 tons of equipment they brought from Switzerland will be used to time the results of every event at the Games.

Electronic Start System (in action)

At every Olympic Games, OMEGA’s timekeeping and data handling professionals arrive equipped with tons of equipment – a veritable arsenal of the world’s latest and best sports timing and judging technology. Every Olympic Games features some technological premieres. Here’s a preview of the equipment which will have its Olympic Games debut in Vancouver and Whistler:

Electronic Start System

The most logical place to begin is with OMEGA’s new Electronic Start System. One of the most enduring images from any Olympic Games is the starting pistol, reminiscent of the revolvers so popular in movies set in the Old West. At this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, this has been replaced by a streamlined, futuristic device composed of a flash gun and a sound generation box.

When the starter presses its trigger, three things happen simultaneously: a sound is “played”, a light flash is emitted and a start pulse is given to the timing device. By pressing the trigger a second time within two seconds, the false start will be audibly signaled. The sounds can be changed and downloaded by computer.

As was the case with traditional powder pistols, the sound will be reproduced by speakers near each competitor, guaranteeing that they will hear the signal at the same time. At some venues, the audio signals will also be put on the public address system.

The OMEGA Snowgate starting gate

The Snowgate starting gate

Alpine skiers at this Olympic Games will start their runs through a new starting gate called “Snowgate” for the first time. New technology ensures that the starting pulse is generated when the “wand” (or “bar”) is at precisely the same angle for every competitor. The control box for the device includes both a main and a backup system. The systems use different technologies – one is purely mechanical; the other is electro-mechanical. The skiers have a ten-second starting window and can begin up to five seconds before or five seconds after the official start time. If they are within this time frame, the timing system will be activated automatically when they burst through the gate; otherwise, they are disqualified.

High-definition judges’ scoring system

In figure skating, OMEGA Timing’s high definition judges’ scoring system will be in place. It has been tested at international competitions in Leipzig and Liberec and was sanctioned by the International Skating Union (ISU) in 2008 for its events. It has been in use since the beginning of 2009 for ISU Championships and will make its first Olympic Games appearance in Vancouver.

The system provides several additional advantages: there will be a tremendous increase in quality thanks to the high-definition images. It also weighs considerably less than its predecessor and offers improved handling.

Furthermore, OMEGA’s timekeepers can provide all the necessary support in the operation of the system and will no longer have to rely on third parties.

The OMEGA Universal Tracking System

In the cross-country skiing events in Vancouver, OMEGA will use the OMEGA Universal Tracking System based on global positioning system (GPS) technology to track the locations of the athletes throughout the race. A similar system was used with great effect at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the road cycling and triathlon events. This will allow the timekeepers to measure the distances between the skiers at any time during their races. Furthermore, it will be possible to display their positions using three-dimensional animation with a visual virtual track based on satellite data. A prototype of the system was used during the 2008/2009 International Ski Tour but the Games in Vancouver and Whistler will mark its debut at an Olympic Games.

Transponders in Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross

At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, there will be one new discipline, ski cross. For this freestyle skiing event, transponders will be used allowing intermediate standings to be displayed while the race is taking place. Transponders will also be used for men’s and ladies’ snowboard cross.

The Chronos Timer in Alpine Skiing

The Chronos Timer in Alpine Skiing

The alpine skiing events in Vancouver will also mark the Olympic Games debut of the Chronos Timer. This OMEGA Timing product has seen service as a backup in technical competitions (giant slalom and slalom) in Adelboden, Switzerland and was used as the main timing device for the training and two downhill runs of the European Cup in Wengen. Its next “centre-stage” appearance will be at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

OMEGA and Olympic Games timekeeping technology

OMEGA first served as Official Olympic Games Timekeeper at the Games in Los Angeles in 1932. At the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games OMEGA will assume the responsibility for the 24th time. OMEGA and the IOC have signed a contract which extends through 2020. For more than three quarters of a century OMEGA’s timekeeping and data handling efforts have been matched by the brand’s dedication to the improvement of timekeeping technology.

At each Olympic Games, OMEGA is proud to be at the service of remarkable athletes from around the globe. The company strives to ensure that their sporting performances are evaluated by uncompromisingly cutting-edge equipment and the world’s finest timekeepers.

Source: www.omega.ch

The OMEGA Olympic Countdown Clock in Vancouver

As the giant OMEGA Countdown Clock in Vancouver approaches the minus one year point in its steady march toward the Opening Ceremony on the 12th of February, 2010, OMEGA’s professionals are actively involved in preparations for the competition where, for the 24th time, the Swiss specialists will serve as Official Timekeepers at the Olympic Games. On the 12th of March, they will play the same role at the Paralympic Games.

At OMEGA’s first timekeeping assignment for the Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany in 1936, a lone OMEGA technician brought 27 stopwatches which were used to time each event at the Games.

Seventy years later in Turin, OMEGA deployed 208 professionals – 127 timekeepers and 81 data handlers – armed with 220 tons of equipment.

Those numbers will be exceeded at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games as OMEGA mobilizes the largest timekeeping contingent in the history of winter sport.

OMEGA began its Olympic Games timekeeping tradition at the Los Angeles 1932 Olympic Games. In addition to its prominent Olympic Games role, OMEGA has been behind many of the most important technological developments in all of sports timekeeping.

The Games in Vancouver will take place over a 17-day period beginning on the 12th of February. More than 5,500 Olympic Winter Games athletes and officials from more than 80 countries will make it the largest Olympic Winter Games ever. The Paralympic Winter Games, for which OMEGA is also Official Timekeeper, start on the 12th of March and will continue for ten days. The Games’ organizers anticipate that the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will attract 1,350 athletes and officials from more than forty countries.

100 days to go till the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Sustainability a key theme

As the cities of Vancouver and Whistler prepare for the Games, there is a lot of attention being paid to the philosophy of economic and environmental sustainability promoted by VANOC, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Committee is doing its best to see that any changes made to the splendid local landscape will integrate smoothly into the community once the Games are over. While Beijing had such spectacular venues as the National “Bird’s Nest” Stadium and the “Water Cube”, VANOC is relying on providing facelifts to existing structures and to creating facilities which will serve the people of Vancouver and British Columbia long after the spectators and press have gone home. It can be argued that the natural splendour of British Columbia and the breathtaking beauty of Vancouver and Whistler would not be enhanced with the addition of large new purpose-built structures.

Accordingly, existing buildings are being adapted to the needs of the Olympic Winter Games and new ones have only been considered when it was clear that they would improve the quality of life for local residents following the Games.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will attract an estimated three billion television viewers worldwide. More than 10,000 members of the press are planning to attend and it is projected that the vancouver2010.com website will be visited 75 million times.

Source: www.omega.ch

OMEGA Speedmaster Ladies 38 mm

18 January 2010 – No watch is more closely identified with OMEGA’s pioneering spirit than the Speedmaster.

The legendary chronograph has a long list of adventures to its credit, including every one of NASA’s piloted missions since May of 1963. When Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the lunar surface in 1969 wearing his OMEGA Speedmaster Professional, the watch achieved true iconic status.

In 2010 OMEGA is introducing a selection of 38 mm Speedmaster Ladies’ wristwatches. The first of the new releases combines the robust sportiness and chronograph performance which have long characterized the line with some touches of elegance not normally associated with the rugged Speedmasters.

Like the Speedmaster Professional, this member of the famous family has a stainless steel case but it has been dressed up with an 18 Ct pink gold bezel ring paved with 54 diamonds.

The COSC-certified chronometer is presented on a specially-treated grey alligator leather strap. The watch is powered by the OMEGA calibre 3304, a self-winding mechanical movement.

In addition to its full chronograph function, it has a date window at 6 ‘clock.

The OMEGA Speedmaster Ladies 38 mm: precision chronograph performance has never been more fashionable.

Source: www.omega.ch

OMEGA Skeletonized Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition

18 January 2010 – The OMEGA Skeletonized Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition is the ultimate expression of the watchmaker’s art. Each watch is handcrafted in OMEGA’s Cellule Haut de Gamme (Tourbillon Atelier) in Bienne by a select group of horologists.

In a Tourbillon movement, all of the main components responsible for the timepiece’s precision are assembled in a rotating cage. OMEGA is the only watchmaker ever to have created a central Tourbillon. Its titanium cage rotates completely every 60 seconds, offsetting the effect of gravity on the performance of the watch.

Tourbillon technology, dazzling design

The Skeletonized Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition combines the complex Tourbillon technology with dazzling design elements.

The movement has a luxurious sun-brushed pearlescent finish; its bridges and mechanisms are hand polished. The rotor with its sapphire plate has been newly designed and is etched with the words “Limited Edition” and the watch’s individual serial number (out of 18). The Skeletonized Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition is equipped with a Breguet balance spring.

The Central Tourbillon’s hands cannot be mounted on a central shaft in the conventional way. They are etched on to sapphire crystal disks and propelled by gearing at the peripheries of the disks. The result is dramatic – they appear to float freely above the movement.

One watchmaker’s masterpiece

To make a skeletonized version of the Central Tourbillon, the watchmaker begins by sawing away any non-essential material from the plates and bridges, then bevelling their edges. Unlike products from conventional workshops, each Tourbillon is the work of one watchmaker who spends up to 540 hours on the creation of the skeletonized version of the watch. This means that every Skeletonized Central Tourbillon is unique – no two are exactly alike.

Each watchmaker engraves his or her personal initials on the underside of the Tourbillon base to assure that all parts can be returned to their maker after they have been galvanized. When a Central Tourbillon is returned to OMEGA for servicing, it will be placed in the hands of the original watchmaker.

Only 18 pieces of this Skeletonized Tourbillon Coaxial Platinum Limited Edition will be produced.

An OMEGA Co-Axial movement

The outstanding chronometric performance of OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibre 2636 is enhanced by the state-of-the-industry escapement which has re-defined the way mechanical wristwatches are being made. The complex movement is assembled from 320 individual parts.

The remarkable Central Tourbillon calibre is housed in a platinum case presented with a black alligator bracelet.

While the Skeletonized Central Tourbillon watches are accurate – each one is a COSC-certified chronometer – they are particularly valued for their beauty and the complexity of the Tourbillon mechanism. Every component in the movement and case is produced exclusively for the Central Tourbillons.

The OMEGA Skeletonized Central Tourbillon Co-Axial Platinum Limited Edition is the exquisite creation of a legendary watch brand working at the peak of its powers.