OMEGA AND THE WORLD OF SAILING
OMEGA has an undeniable connection to the sea. We produced the first divers’ watch and the only wristwatch ever to have received marine chronometer certification. We have long been the preferred choice of some of sailing’s greatest names.
There has been a link between sailing and timekeeping since the days sailors relied on high-precision marine chronometers for navigation. Omega is the only company ever to have produced a wristwatch that received marine chronometer certification.
Though new technologies such as GPS have superseded the Omega Marine Chronometer wristwatch, there is still a strong demand for Omega's robust and highly water resistant Seamaster watches and the brand retains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.
“. . . the preferred choice of some of sailing’s biggest stars.”
As one of the world’s best-known watch brands, the company is proud to be the preferred choice of some of sailing's biggest stars. A long-term partnership with 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 has continued to honour his legacy with its support for Emirates Team New Zealand's America's Cup skipper Dean Barker since 2001.
Omega enjoyed a long partnership with solo yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur and was the official timekeeper when, on the 7th of February 2005, she broke the solo round-the-world sailing record with a time of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. The on-board Omega clock counted down every nail-biting second. Her astonishing achievement earned her the title of dame, which was officially bestowed upon her by Queen Elizabeth II.
Omega’s role as Official Timekeeper to the iShares Cup is the latest exciting chapter in the Swiss prestige watch company’s proud nautical history.
