By Meor Amri Meor Ayob
The next Winter Olympics will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea beginning 9 February 2018. As the official timekeeper for the Games, Omega has introduced the Seamaster Aqua Terra “PyeongChang 2018” Limited Edition Reference 522.10.42.21.03.001.
As official timekeeper for the Olympic Games (while includes both Summer and Winter Games as well as the Paralympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games) Omega has been active issuing limited edition pieces to commemorate the games.
As far as I can tell, there were many limited edition watches made by Omega to commemorate the Games. Some of the notable ones were the Speedmaster 5-Counters Chronograph introduced in 2008 to commemorate the Beijing Olympics, the Seamaster Chronograph for London 2012 Olympic Games and Seamaster Bullhead Chronographs for the upcoming Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
For the “PyeongChang 2018” Limited Edition watch, Omega chose the Seamaster Aqua Terra as a base model. With a dimension of 41.5 mm wide and a date complication in an aperture at 3 o’clock, this watch is more adaptable to formal settings but with the necessary oomph to be taken for a tumble if required.
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Pyeongchang 2018 Limited Edition has a dark blue lined pattern on the dial and printing of the words “PYEONGCHANG 2018” at bottom right section of the chapter ring. Those words are printed in the 5 colours representing the Olympic Games.
The screw-down caseback Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Pyeongchang 2018 Limited Edition has a transparent window made out of sapphire crystal. On the crystal one can find the logo of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games printed on.
Apart from what was mentioned earlier about the watch, everything else remains the same like the basic Seamaster Aqua Terra. Powered by the Calibre 8500 with Si14 balance spring, it is an exceptional anti-magnetic resistance watch. The watch is made out of stainless steel, alternating brushed and polished surfaces.
Only 2018 examples will be made. The serial number will be etched on the side of the casing to get that exclusive limited edition ‘feel’ to the watch.
If you are an Olympian or a fan of the Olympics and a watch nut as well, this is something that you may want to get your hands on. Since this is not a chronograph watch or made out of precious metals, after taking into consideration the premium of it being a ‘limited edition’ watch, the price point should not be too exorbitant.
For more info, please visit omegawatches.com
MEOR AMRI MEOR AYOB – CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Meor Amri is a passionate watch collector from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Having bitten by the horology bug in 2010, he has written extensively about the watch scene and has assembled a large collection of watches (excessively!!!) on his own free time. His blogs on the same subject are: Eastern Watch & Western Watch Read his articles here
