As someone interested in, and a collector of, watches, the Olympics has really been a great opportunity to "spot" some of the real modern classics on the wrists of some of the athletes and hear I'm not talking the normal cheap Casios that runners often sport. These serious pieces of horology have probably been brought to the fore even more than usual this year by the furore over Yohan Blake's wearing of his Richard Mille during the proceedings.
Omega of course are, and often have been sponsors of the Olympics and their choices of official Ambassadors in Michael Phelps and Jessica Ennis proved good choices for them with the brilliant results that they turned in at this Olympics. At the more affordable end of luxury watches, Omega weren't at all happy to see Blake's watch quite so apparent though and tried to stop it being worn, but as individual athletes are allowed to wear some articles from their own sponsors, like sunglasses, shoes and watches, we were able to see this lovely $500.000.00 tourbillion which had been created for him in Jamaican colours.
Funnily enough as we all know he was beaten both times by Usain Bolt who is an Ambassador for Hublot and it was nice to see his Hublot’s HUB4100 chronograph movement that's being produced as a Limited Edition firmly on his wrist at the medal ceremonies. These are a little more affordable at $24,000.00 and to me one of the nicer models seen.
The position over Mark Cavendishe's collection of Audemar Piguet watches though appear to be that they are his own though. He has been seen sporting quite a few models of late but as Audemar Piguet aren't listed amongst his sponsors it would appear that he is just an avid collector as has been known by the cyling pundits for a while. The Royal Oak chronograph he wears tend to come in at about £16,000.00 to £32,000 depending on metal finish so obviously a collection of those proves cycling can be a well paid profession these days !
I've one interesting Omega in my collection. In the 1994 Olympics. Omega lost their title of sponsor of the games to Seiko and to try and redress the balance and still get their name out there they gave a very Limited Edition of Omega watches out to the Swiss Olympic team and officials. Limited Edition in this case means limited as rather than Omega's normal limited editions which can run up to several thousands, this particular model was only made in an edition of 194 ..... and this is mine below. Anyone else interested in watches spotted and of the really nice makes out there?
And of course not forgetting the official representatives with Phelps wearing his nice Omega P.O.
And Jessica in hers