Omega Builds Sailing Chronograph Capable of Taking on the America's Cup

Omega returns as Official Timekeeper of the world’s oldest sporting trophy next month when the 36th America’s Cup gets underway in New Zealand.

And to celebrate it has developed a regatta timer, a countdown function which allows competitive sailors to correctly judge the running start of a race, which can be activated and then locked to prevent any errors, handy when the cost of running a team can be as high as $200m.

The Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph is housed in a 44mm stainless steel case with laser etched blue ceramic dial and bezel. The regatta timer is presented as a red anodised aluminium sub dial at the three o’clock position with its own hour wheel while a silhouette of the America’s Cup trophy, nicknamed Auld Mug, has been used to form the counterweight of the centre chronograph seconds hand.

Soft touch rubber-tipped pushers in red and blue have also been used to enable the regatta timer to be activated with wet hands. The watch also sees the introduction of a new quick change strap system, which features a slider on the reverse of the strap which retracts the pins holding it in place, allowing the owner to switch between the supplied stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap.

Omega first took on Official Timekeeping duties at the America’s Cup in 2000 and again in 2003.

The Seamaster Diver 300M America’s Cup Chronograph drops this week via Omega, priced $10,700 USD.

Elsewhere in watches, Girard-Perregaux has become official watch partner of British supercar manufacturer Aston Martin.