To celebrate its role as official timekeeper of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, which is taking place in Barcelona until 27 October, Swiss watchmaker Omega has launched the 42mm Seamaster Diver 300M. 

Just as the degrees of precision, expertise and hard work at this level of sailing can scarcely be appreciated by the casual observer, the watch may appear relatively humble on the surface. Yet, this is a certified Master Chronometer, meaning it has met the unparalleled standards for accuracy, performance and magnetic resistance set by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. Over the span of 10 days, the watch was rigorously tested for accuracy and possible deviations caused by variables such as different wearing positions. It was climate-tested at a range of temperatures, submersed in water at controlled pressures and subjected to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss. 

The new timepiece is replete with details paying homage to the America’s Cup, the world’s oldest international sporting trophy, and sailing’s most coveted. The blue ceramic bezel features a regatta scale, with two five-minute pre-start sections and a “Start” section with minimalist flag inspired by the regatta. Raised, three-dimensional indices float like vessels on waves laser-engraved in positive relief on the white ceramic dial. And the similarly buoyant hands come in nautical shapes and colour gradients evoking the ocean. Picked out in the blue of the Barcelona logo, the counterweight on the seconds hand is a silhouette of the America’s Cup trophy, which was crafted in silver in London in 1848. A larger version of the Auld Mug, as the cup is known in the sailing community, pops alongside a B for Barcelona on the sapphire crystal caseback. Together, these partly eclipse Omega’s powerful Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8806. A final sporty detail is the blue rubber strap, which can seamlessly be swapped for the stainless-steel bracelet option, since both are equipped with Omega’s patented Quick-Change system.  

In 1995, Omega supported Emirates Team New Zealand, led by Sir Peter Blake. The team’s victory led to the brand becoming official timekeeper in 2000, 2003 and 2021. Now, the brand is embracing the role again, at an event that has been enlarged to include two new competitions – the first Puig Women’s America’s Cup and the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, which represents an opportunity for up-and-coming crews to showcase their skills. 

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup, £6,100;
omegawatches.com, americascup.com