SpotlightSochi 2014 Omega Seamaster Limited Edition

Sochi 2014 was the 26^th time that Omega acted as Official Timekeeper for the Olympic Games.

The Sochi 2014 edition of the Omega Seamaster is driven by the Calibre 8500, a self winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. It is the same movement which powers most of the non-limited edition timepieces in the Planet Ocean series. The Sochi 2014 model is quite distinctive because of the red and blue accents on the bezel which are inspired by the colours of the Russian flag. The standard caseback of the Planet Ocean series has also been replaced with a commemorative Sochi 2014 design. As a symbol of honour, the timepiece is limited to 2014 pieces, matching the year of the Sochi Olympics.

The 1932 Los Angeles Olympics was the first time that timekeeping had been assigned to a private company (Omega) and the first time that winners and medallists were timed to the nearest 1/10^th of a second.

Omega has been associated with the Olympics for more than 80 years now and has pioneered a number of developments in the arena of sports timekeeping.  At Sochi earlier this year, Omega measured over 650,000 times, scores and distances using over 200 tonnes of timekeeping, scoring and data-handling equipment.

The Omega Calibre 8500 movement used in the timepiece makes 25,200 vibrations per hour. It includes 39 jewels and has a power reserve of 60 hours. An exceptional feature of the movement is the ‘Si 14’ silicon balance spring, which makes it highly resistant to shocks and any other kinds of environmental disturbances.

The Co-Axial escapement produces lesser friction and needs lesser lubrication, meaning less frequent servicing.

The self winding movement has been housed in a 45.5 mm stainless steel case with a screw-in crown. It is water resistant to 600 metres and features a helium escape valve. The unidirectional rotating bezel is made of black ceramic while the dial is coloured matt black. The applied indexes are coated with white Super-LumiNova and emit a blue light. The hands are polished, facetted and rhodium-plated, and similarly coated with white Super-LumiNova. The date display is at 3 o’clock while Arabic numerals mark the hours at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. The dial is covered with a domed, scratch resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The strap is made of brushed stainless steel and has a push-button foldover clasp.

The limited edition Sochi 2014 Omega Seamaster is a salute to the spirit of the Olympics and a celebration of human courage, endurance and will power.