This year, Omega serves as the official timekeeper for the Winter Olympics being held in Sochi. For this occasion, this Swiss brand has launched three new limited editions to commemorate the games. Each of the new limited edition watches feature the colors of the Russian Federation national flag.
The most exclusive model in this collection takes its inspiration from a museum piece which the company had been producing several decades ago. This model, called the Petrograd, is made from 18kt rose gold and is fashioned into a distinctive tonneau shape. This timepiece is manufactured in a limited series of only 100 pieces. The case is polished, and it features a flattened onion styled crown. The case back is engraved with the official Sochi 2014 logo and the inscription “Si14”. Also on the case back is the individual limited edition number (XXX/100).
Inside this model is the self-winding mechanical caliber 2202, which is fitted with “Omega’s famous Co-Axial escapement. The Co-Axial escapement uses radial impulses, which transfer energy more efficiently than traditional lever escapements. Omega is so confident about this Co-Axial escapement, that they offer a four year guarantee on watches fitted with this type of movement.
The Petrograd comes with a silvery white dial, which incorporates the red white and blue colors of the Russian flag. The white is represented by the main dial, while the red can be seen on the Arabic numerals of the 24 hour scale located on the flange, and the blue is rendered as the blued steel hands on both the main dial, and the small seconds subdial at six o’clock. The hour markers are displayed using stylized black Arabic numerals. Completing this watch is a bold burgundy alligator leather strap, fitted with a traditional tang type buckle.
The next model in this collection comes from the Planet Ocean line. Officially this watch is known as the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.5mm “Sochi 2014” Limited Edition. As the name suggests, this piece measures in at 45.5mm and is crafted form stainless steel, which uses both polished and brushed finishes.
The bezel is unidirectional and it is fitted with a matte black ceramic ring, with a chromium nitride diver’s scale. The markers from 1-15 on the bezel are hued in blue, red, and white. At the 10 position is a helium release valve, which allows for the escape of noble gases which can build up during prolonged dives. The ridged main crown is screw locked, which enables this timepiece to withstand up to 60 bars (600 meters/2000 feet) of water pressure.
The dial is black and features rhodium toned hands with arrow head tips, which are luminous making for excellent contrast and easy readability. The minute hand on this model emits a blue light making it easy to calculate the elapsed time while underwater. The dial carries Arabic numerals at the 6, 9, and 12 positions and indexes coated with Super-LumiNova.
The Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.5mm (Sochi 2014) Limited Edition is driven by a chronometer certified caliber 8500, which uses the Co-Axial escapement and exclusive Si14 silicon balance spring. This model also carries a four year guarantee. This Planet Ocean model is limited to 2014 pieces.
The final limited piece for the Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 from Omega is the lady’s version of the Planet Ocean. This model features a case size of 37.5mm, which can be quite prominent on a lady’s wrist. The bezel uses white ceramic with the same markings in red, blue, and white as the gent’s version. The bezel is also unidirectional for the measurement of elapsed time. A helium release valve occupies the 10 position on this model.
The theme of this watch is white and uses the Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 to also pay homage to the Russian national flag. Both the hands and the indexes marking the hours are coated in Super-LumiNova to enhance legibility during low light conditions. At the 3 o’clock position is a date aperture.
This model is also fitted with a self-winding mechanical movement caliber 8500. This movement is fitted with the Co-Axial escapement and is also chronometer certified. This Planet Ocean model is water resistant to 600 meters (60 ATM). Finishing this watch is a white alligator leather strap with a single folding deployant clasp. The Omega Planet Ocean “Sochi 2014” Limited Edition is made in a limited numbered series of 2014 pieces worldwide.
TAGS: Automatic Watches, Date, Diving Watch, Leather, Limited Edition, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Omega, Petrograd, Rose Gold, Sapphire Crystal, Selfwinding Watches, Sochi 2014, Stainless Steel, Swiss Made, Tonneau, Unidirectional Bezel, Water Resistant, Women's Watches