Introducing Five Models from Omega's Olympic Games Collection (2016-2021)

In what was initially unthinkable, the International Olympic Committee announced that the Tokyo Olympic Games, originally scheduled for July 2020, would be postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Omega, one of the Olympic sponsors and official timekeepers, will also be affected. Omega fans are waiting for news from the brand about what will happen to their 2020 Olympic-related models. In the meantime, we'll take a look at some of the limited edition Olympic-related watches from Omega released ahead of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics in South Korea, and the now-postponed Tokyo Games.

Seamaster Bullhead Rio Limited Edition

The Seamaster Bullhead Rio Limited Edition is a model characterized by a style reminiscent of the Olympic Games. It features yellow, green, red, and black stitching, a blue leather strap, and a rotating inner bezel, reflecting the Olympic colors. The unusual case design is derived from a chronograph released by Omega in 1969, and was given the nickname "Bullhead" due to the shape of the winding crown at the top and the chronograph pushers on either side.

　Like the original Bullhead watch, the Seamaster Bullhead Rio Limited Edition features a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock, a small seconds at 6 o'clock, and a date display at 3 o'clock. It is powered by the automatic chronograph movement, caliber 3113, which features a column wheel and a co-axial escapement. Another notable feature is the Rio 2016 Olympic Games logo on the case back.

Speedmaster Mark II Rio 2016 Limited Edition

Like other Speedmaster Mark II models, the Speedmaster Mark II Rio 2016 Limited Edition features a unique, retro-style barrel-shaped stainless steel case. The matte black dial features a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and a small seconds at 9 o'clock.

　A highlight of this model is the gold, silver, and bronze ring on the subdial, the same as the medals given to athletes at the Olympics. Like the standard Speedmaster Mark II, this model is finished with a transparent tachymeter scale and an aluminum ring coated with Super-LumiNova underneath. The movement is the Caliber 3330, equipped with a silicon balance spring and a Co-Axial escapement. The case back features the logo of the 16 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the first ever to be held in South America.

Seamaster Aqua Terra Pyeongchang 2018 Limited Edition

The Seamaster Aqua Terra PyeongChang 2018 Limited Edition was released in 16 ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and was limited to 2018 pieces worldwide. While retaining the familiar Seamaster Aqua Terra design codes, the words "PYEONGCHANG 2018" are inscribed in the Olympic rings' colors on the minute track. Uniquely, the number "20" of "2018" is designed to align exactly with the 20-minute mark on the minute track, and the number "18" with the 18-minute mark.

　The stainless steel case is 41.5mm in diameter, and the blue dial, reminiscent of the teak deck of a ship, is a design often seen in the Seamaster Aqua Terra series. The sapphire crystal case back, decorated with the colorful "PyeongChang 2018" logo, reveals Omega's Co-Axial movement, Caliber 8500. The accompanying box case is a special edition with an Olympic theme.

Seamaster Planet Ocean Pyeongchang 2018 Limited Edition

　The Seamaster Planet Ocean PyeongChang 2018 Limited Edition was announced in December 2017, one year before the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. This limited edition model, limited to 2018 pieces, features a deep blue and red color scheme reminiscent of the flag of the host country, South Korea. The 43.5mm stainless steel case features a unidirectional rotating bezel and a polished blue ceramic diving scale. Red rubber is placed over the first quarter-minute section of the scale, while the outer perimeter and markers are made of Liquidmetal, with a luminous dot at 12 o'clock. The dial is polished blue ceramic and features rhodium-plated applied indices and hands filled with Super-LumiNova.

　The movement is the Caliber 8900, a METAS-certified Master Chronometer. The silicon balance spring provides resistance to magnetic fields of 15,000 gauss. The screw-down case back is fitted with a sapphire crystal and is decorated with the words "PyeongChang 2018" and the logo. The design allows the movement to be seen.

Seamaster Aqua Terra Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition

　In keeping with tradition, Omega began the countdown to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games one year in advance (as originally planned) in July 2019, with the launch of its Olympic model. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Tokyo 2020 Limited Edition features a dial with a pattern reminiscent of the Tokyo 2020 logo. The 41mm stainless steel case is paired with a blue rubber strap. The stainless steel bracelet is included in a special edition box. The movement is the METAS-certified Master Chronometer caliber 8900. The sapphire crystal caseback features a transferred Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games emblem. This special model will be limited to 2,020 pieces worldwide.