Now the football is over (which we won't talk about) sporting fans now turn their attention to Paris for the start of the Olympic Games 2024. Over 10,000 athletes are set to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024, each one striving to secure one of the highly coveted medals.
The stakes are incredibly high, as the difference between winning gold, silver, or bronze can often come down to split-seconds. In such a high-pressure environment, the accuracy of timing is crucial, necessitating the most advanced technology and expertise to measure and record these incredibly narrow margins.
This year, the responsibility of ensuring precise and reliable timing falls once again to Omega, marking their 31st occasion as the Official Timekeeper for the Olympic Games 2024. Omega's extensive experience and commitment to excellence in timekeeping play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the competition.
However, whilst Omega may be the main name at the Olympics, there are other brands that have also been favoured by athletes past and present.
With 2 Bronze Olympic medals to her name, Dina Asher-Smith is a British sprinter renowned for her exceptional speed and athletic achievements. She holds the British records for the 100 metres and 200 metres, and has won multiple medals, including gold in the 200 metres at the 2019 World Championships and three golds at the 2018 European Championships.
Beyond her athletic prowess, she has a love of fashion and has graced the covers of many a fashion magazine, celebrating her influence both on and off the track.
As a 'friend of the brand' to Hublot, she favours the Hublot Classic Fusion watch. With its 33mm case to fit her petite wrists, it's powered by a Quartz movement and comes with a folding clasp and rubber strap, making it comfortable to wear, both on and off the racetrack.
Dina is set to head to Paris, where she will represent Team GB in the individual 100m and 200m sprint events.
Usain Bolt (yes, it is his real name), is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time.
Known for his incredible speed and charismatic personality, Bolt holds world records in both the 100 metres and 200 metres set in 2009. Throughout his career, he amassed eight Olympic gold medals and 11 World Championship titles, solidifying his legacy in athletics. Bolt's dominance on the track, combined with his distinctive celebration pose and infectious enthusiasm, made him a global sports icon. After retiring from athletics in 2017, he has pursued various ventures, including football and business, while continuing to inspire athletes worldwide.
In 2010, he partnered with Hublot. When he provided the brief to the brand for his custom-designed watch, he specified, “I want something that pops.” Known for its innovative use of sci-fi materials, unique finishes, and complex features in striking, avant-garde cases, Hublot, previously considered a rebel in the watch industry, met his request with enthusiasm.
The resulting designs – the Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt Ceramic, Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt Yellow Gold, and Big Bang Unico Usain Bolt Sapphire – are as bold and groundbreaking as Bolt himself.
Anthony Joshua initially pursued football and athletics. By age 15, he boasted a swift 11-second 100-metre dash. However, it wasn’t until he reached 18 that he ventured into boxing, under the guidance of his cousin who introduced him to the sport at a local gym.
At just 22 years old, Joshua achieved gold in the super heavyweight category at the 2012 Olympics in London. The following year, he embarked on his professional boxing career. Joshua secured his place in history as the second British boxer to win Olympic gold and capture a world title recognized by a leading professional sanctioning body. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being the first British heavyweight to accomplish this remarkable dual achievement.
Out of the ring, Joshua is a fan of Audemars Piguet and is often spotted wearing one of the Royal Oak Chronograph watches, namely the model no. 26320OR.OO.1220OR.01. It strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication. Made from 18ct Rose Gold, both the case and bracelet impart an elegant touch to this automatic watch. The black chronograph dial is shielded by durable sapphire crystal glass, ensuring lasting protection and clarity.
Michael Phelps is a legendary Olympian known for his remarkable achievements in swimming. He holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by any athlete, with a total of 23 gold medals across his career. Phelps has competed in multiple Olympic Games, showcasing exceptional talent and dominance in the pool. His accomplishments have solidified his status as one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history.
Out of the water, he is a fan of Omega, even having a watch dedicated to him, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 'Michael Phelps' Limited Edition. Since 2004, Phelps has been a valued friend of Omega, known for his dedication to the Seamaster collection.
Another favourite is the Seamaster Planet Ocean, model no. 215.30.46.51.03.001, which features a blue chronograph dial and bezel, stainless steel case and folding clasp bracelet as well as water reisitant upto 600M making it ideal for any water activities befitting an Olympian!
In a Limited Edition series of 3,016 pieces, the unique Omega Seamaster Diver 300M beautifully celebrated the brand’s role as the Official Timekeeper of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The black dial featured a transferred wave pattern inspired by the sidewalks of Copacabana beach. The polished black ceramic bezel ring included a diving scale filled with white Super-LumiNova, and the numerals were filled with red, blue, yellow, and green lacquer, representing the colours of the Olympic rings.
As typical of the Seamaster Diver 300M, there was a date window at 3 o'clock, a helium escape valve at 10 o'clock, and polished facetted skeleton hour-minute hands. On the reverse side of the 41 mm stainless steel case, there was a "Rio 2016" Olympic Games logo as well as an engraved Limited Edition number.
The 2024 Olympics in Paris will kick off with an elaborate opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, July 26. This marks the beginning of an exciting and extensive festival of sport, spanning over two weeks and three days, until its grand conclusion on Sunday, August 11. Who will you be cheering on?
If you don’t see the watch you want in our current inventory, be sure to let our team know. We have comprehensive sourcing services to help you find your dream watch. Get in touch with the team at BQ Watches today to talk watches!
