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Omega Set to Precisely Capture Every Second at Paris 2024 Olympics

By Debbie Hathway

With nearly a century of experience, Omega is gearing up to showcase its most advanced timekeeping technology yet at the upcoming Olympics from 26 July 2024 and the subsequent Paralympic Games from 28 August 2024. Having been at the forefront of Olympic Games timekeeping for over nine decades, Omega has achieved numerous milestones that have set new standards in the field. Appointed as the Official Timekeeper for the Olympics in 1932, the Swiss watchmaker introduced high-precision stopwatches. By 1936, the brand was managing timekeeping at the Olympic Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, showcasing its capability in handling events under challenging snowy conditions. In 1948, Omega launched the first photo-finish camera and introduced photoelectric cells, revolutionising the way race finishes were recorded.

The innovations continued in 1956 and 1968 with the introduction of semi-automated timers and touchpads, transforming the precision of swimming events. From 1984 onwards, advancements in athletics timekeeping included the introduction of advanced starting blocks and systems for detecting false starts. In 2012, Omega introduced Quantum Timers, capable of splitting time to a millionth of a second, further pushing the boundaries of accuracy. By 2018, the company had become a leader in motion sensor and positioning systems, providing comprehensive metrics to measure athletes’ performance across various disciplines.

What the equipment does for athletics Omega’s electronic pistol, a key component in athletics, is a testament to the brand’s commitment to fair play. Connected to speakers positioned behind each racer, it ensures an equal start for all athletes, emitting a light flash, a start pulse to the timing device, and a sound behind each athlete when the trigger is pressed. The athletes’ starting blocks feature integrated speakers and built-in sensors that measure their force against the footrest 4 000 times per second. The detection system instantly sends the force measurements to an on-site computer so the starter can visually see any false start. Meanwhile, Omega’s Quantum Timer – the modern version of the stopwatch – has an enhanced resolution of one-millionth of a second. Driven by a micro-crystal component embedded in the timer, the resolution is 100 times greater than that of previous devices, and with a maximum variation of only one second out of every ten million seconds, it is five times more accurate. The finish is captured with photocell technology that emits beams of light. When the winning athlete crosses those beams, their winning time is instantly recorded.

Omega now uses four photocells on the finish line, all integrated into one unit, allowing more body patterns to be detected. While this gives Omega an immediate finishing time, the official time is always taken from the photo-finish camera.

Tracking time in the pool At the end of a swimming race, the touchpads at both ends of the pool allow swimmers to “stop the clock” by exerting a pressure of between 1.5 and 2.5 kg. It’s the most precise way to measure time in this challenging sport, and Omega was responsible for first introducing the technology at the Olympic Games in 1968. Since Tokyo 2020, touchpads have also been introduced into speed climbing, positioned at the top of the wall. Meanwhile, at the end of the pool, when a race is over, lights mounted on the starting blocks indicate the swimmers placed first to third with one, two and three dots respectively. It’s a perfect way for athletes and spectators to instantly see the outcome of a race.

New Technology for Paris 2024 Across many sports, including swimming and athletics, Omega’s advanced technology not only captures live information during events but also enhances the spectator experience. From live speeds and positions to acceleration and trajectory and even the number of strokes that a swimmer takes, the brand now has the capability of showing each event through a comprehensive range of metrics, perfect for broadcasters, spectators, and coaches to analyse and understand every performance from start to finish. New for Paris 2024 is the Scan ’O’ Vision Ultimate, capable of capturing up to 40 000 digital images per second on the finish line for athletics and track cycling. This will help judges decide the result faster and separate close finishes with maximum clarity. Dedicated colour sensors will also enable cleaner images without pixel interference. The improved version replaces the former Scan ‘O’ Vision MYRIA, which recorded 10 000 digital images per second. Taking the next step in performance data, Omega will track athletes and other objects throughout the events at Paris 2024 to provide exciting and valuable sets of metrics. Computer Vision uses a combination of single- and multi-camera systems, each feeding artificial intelligence models trained explicitly for each sport. This live data will reveal how each event was won or lost and the critical moments that led to an athlete’s result without requiring physical tags attached to the athletes.

Special Edition watches The Seamaster Diver 300M “Paris 2024” Special Edition is crafted in stainless steel and 18K Moonshine™ Gold. The latter is prominently used for the bezel, featuring a laser-structured diving scale in positive relief. The laser-engraved dial is produced in white ceramic with a matte finish and polished waves in positive relief. The date display at 6 o’clock has the numbers inscribed in black with the Paris 2024 typography, while the central seconds hand carries a small yet visible Paris 2024 emblem.

The commemorative caseback reveals an inlaid 18K Moonshine™ Gold medallion featuring the Paris 2024 emblem, polished against a laser-ablated background, the stamped words “Paris 2024” and the Olympic Rings in stainless steel, polished on a frosted structure. The watch is worn on a stainless-steel bracelet with Omega’s new patented Quick Change System, allowing the wearer to easily switch to a Quick Change rubber strap in blue, white, or red or a dedicated Paris 2024 NATO Strap.

The Seamaster Diver 300M is completed by the highest standards of precision and performance, thanks to the Co-Axial Master Chronometer 8800, tested and certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). The 43mm Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024, designed for precision timing, is presented in the gold, black, and white colourway of Paris 2024. The silvery white opaline dial is printed with three dark grey timing scales in a 1940s “snail” design, including a tachymeter scale, a pulsometer scale, and a telemeter scale.

Other details include blackened subdials, Arabic numerals in 18K Moonshine™ Gold, and leafshaped hands and subdial hands that are PVD Moonshine™ Gold treated. The commemorative caseback features a stamped medallion with a frosted base, a mirror-polished Paris 2024 logo, and the stamped words “Paris 2024” and the Olympic Rings. Choices include a stainless-steel version with an anodised aluminium bezel, worn on either a metal bracelet or perforated leather strap, and an 18K Moonshine™ Gold version with a ceramic bezel, worn on either a metal bracelet or standard leather strap. For accuracy, each watch is equipped with the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9908 / 9909, certified by METAS. Omega’s partnership with the Olympic Games, extended to 2032, underscores its commitment to excellence in sports timekeeping, marking nearly a century of innovation and precision.

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november 2024

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