Olympic 2024: A Legacy of Accuracy

"...The Paris 2024 Olympic Games mark the 31st time that OMEGA has served as the official timekeeper for all 329 events across 32 sports. Precision and advanced technology are at the heart of this sporting event, from the very first step of competition..."

In 1932, a single watch company became the official timekeeper for the Games for the first time in history, marking the beginning of the Olympic brand. OMEGA sent a watchmaker from Bienne to Los Angeles equipped with 30 high-precision stopwatches capable of measuring to within 1/10th of a second. The challenges of being the official timekeeper emerged in 1936 during the Winter Olympic Games held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with competitions taking place in the snow, such as speed skating and alpine skiing. The OMEGA and Olympic story continued alongside technological advancements, in 1948, electronic devices began to play a significant role, including photo-finish cameras and OMEGA's first photoelectric cells. The development of technology for the best timekeeping and timing for competitions continued in 1956 and 1968 with the revolution of water sports timing through semi-automatic stopwatches, which eventually evolved into today's touchpads. Starting blocks and false start detection systems in athletics, which were designed in 1984, are still being modernised. 

Today, OMEGA has evolved into a quantum timekeeping system powered by quartz, first introduced in 2012, that can measure time with an accuracy of one-millionth of a second. Since 2018, OMEGA has also become a leader in movement detection sensors and positioning systems that can track the performance of athletes from start to finish. This represents a peak in technological development that coincides with significant moments in sports history. The Olympic Games exemplify OMEGA's dedication to precision, quality, and success.

In addition, Omega has established a unique experience for visitors to Paris 2024 with the opening of Omega House, located at the Hôtel de Poulpry, Maison des Polytechniciens. The OMEGA House Paris is set to occupy multiple floors. The Courtyard is a luxurious outdoor space designed as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of Paris. Upon entering, visitors encounter The Reception, showcasing a 92-year timeline of the brand in the Olympics and Paralympics.

Inside OMEGA House, various rooms exhibit the brand's innovations over time, such as the Timekeeping room, which displays OMEGA's groundbreaking technologies essential for today’s Olympics, ranging from electronic starting pistols to photo-finish cameras. The Stadium room invites visitors to experience the thrill of being an Olympic champion, while the Speedmaster room presents a bold vision of OMEGA's history in space exploration, featuring a floating display of various Speedmaster models, astronaut memorabilia, and a giant gold astronaut figurine perfect for selfies. The Seamaster room is transformed into a cocktail area, showcasing the Seamaster collection, while the Her Time room exhibits the production history of women's timepieces from OMEGA over the past 100 years. Maintaining precision and accuracy down to the smallest fraction of a second is at the core of OMEGA's role in global Olympic and Paralympic sports events. Beyond that, OMEGA provides a remarkable experience that will create lasting memories.

Also See: Olympic 2024: The Language of Time Passed Down for Over Nine Decades by Omega