Omega

My City, My Olympics, My Omega 

  - A Photo Review of the Omega Beijing 2008 Olympic Limited Edition Aqua Terra Chronograph. 

 

These are truly exciting times...

I still remember vividly that humid evening of July 13th 2001 in Beijing , when I was just a wee college student in the States back home for the summer. When IOC's Samaranch announced that Beijing had won the bid for the 2008 Olympics, I let out a shriek, then immediately grabbed the phone, and with violently trembling fingers, dialed my friends. That night, exhilarated, and in a beat-up Jeep Cherokee with non-functional horn and a broken headlight, we sped to Tiananmen square, and joined hundreds of thousands of Beijingers, high on nationalism, in the celebration of a lifetime.

7 years later, that college boy has matured somewhat and has gotten a few more watches; Beijing has undergone some amazing transformations, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse; and the Games are finally here.

Indeed, the hosting of the Olympics has marked China's ascension as a superpower, and Beijing as one of the world's capitals. China, along with its capital, are not without their shares of socio-economic and environmental problems. However, nobody in his right mind right now would wish anything but the best and the smoothest for Beijing and the Games. For the next 2 weeks or so, the worlds' best athletes are overlooking their differences, and are competing in the spirit of the Olympics. For the next 2 weeks, we are one.

Starting in the summer of 2007, Omega has released a series of limited editions to commemorate the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing. The series of models first introduced (i.e. the traditional Constellations and the De Villes), however, were unfortunately not to my taste. When I first heard about the release of the Aqua Terra Chronograph, I knew I "had" to have it. The mere fact that it has "Beijing" on the watch already accounted for more than half of my decision, and the other half was quickly made up due to the watch's handsome finishing, beautiful construction, and the durability and wearability typical of Omega watches.

The watch has the famous Omega caliber 3301 column-wheel chronograph movement with 55 hours of power reserve. The dial measures 42mm, and this particular configuration has the hands, bezel, markers, crown and chronograph pushers all constructed in rose gold. I find the black/rose gold dial contrast to be quite amazing.

So without further ado, as pictures are worth a thousand words, here is the watch:

 

Starting from the Beijing Olympic special box set:

 

 

Check out the handsome dial contrast:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intricate details and faceted markers.

 

The caseback with raised-relief of the official Beijing 2008 Olympic emblem.

 

 

 

A closer shot at the different types of finishing on the case:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wrist shot, with time set on 8:08pm, on the 8th=)

 

Hope you enjoyed the photos, and that you are enjoying those amazing athletic performances.

Best of luck to all the athletes!

 

Truly yours,

Jon (Z3)

Omega indeed has a long association with the Olympics and this limited series is a nice touch by them.  I especially like the case back with the Beijing 2008 logo.  This is going to be very memorable in years to come.  The rose gold bezel and the blue dial rounds out one of the most elegant seamaster ever produced.  Congratulations and wear it in good health.

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When I first saw the Olympic watches in press pictures I thought the multi-coloured Olympic rings at the end of the seconds hand looked terrible, but after seeing them in the metal they are not so prominent and give the dial a bit of colour. Congrats on the new watch!

- SJX

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Jon,

I was particularly moved  by your heartfelt description of the excitement and pride that Beijing has in the Olympics even way back in 2001 and particularly now.

I like the 5 Olympic Rings logo at the end of the seconds hand and also your carefully selected 08:08h on 08-08-08 photo of the watch!

It was a spectacular Opening Ceremony that prompted me to dig out some photos for a "Lazing" report in our TRAVEL forum: click here

 

 

Regards,

MTF

I am glad that you enjoyed the opening ceremony. It was a great feat.

It's amazing that I managed to find a photo of myself on July 13th, 2001, right after the announcement. Man! I was so much thinner back then...

Sorry for the blurry photo, at that time, a 1.0 mega pixel camera was considered pretty good and expensive=)

 

a Swiss Army quartz watch. It was 1 month before my first serious watch and the biggest purchase of my life at that time - an Omega Seamaster Professional=)

Jon

Thanks for the quick review, and this is probably one of the few 2-tone SS/RG watches that looks elegant IMO.

Cheers,
Anthony

I was debating for some short time between either the all steel one or the two-tone, but decided to go for the 2tone as I have always been a sucker for the rose gold/black combination.

Jon

About your new Omega Beijing Re Edition a,nd the Olympic Games...

Nice shot when you took the 8/ O8/ 08, at 8. 08 PM...

this is an Historic shot, my friend!!!

Enjoy both Olympic Games and watch...

Wish you the best.

Nicolas

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for sharing your new Seamaster. Very nice contrasting dial with a fun "Olympic Rings" second hand.

Let the games begin!

Bob

. . . your perspective. I have to agree that rose gold accents on a black dial in steel works for me, too:

My vintage Omega Constellation sends its regards to your new Omega Seamaster . . . cordially, Art

Fabulous Tribute to a Fabulous watch & Thanks for a fine presentation Jon !

Has to be the nicest of all the commemorative Olympic Omegas, too. Really sweet.

Congrats & thks for sharing

integration are truly remarkable. I also enjoy the artwork of the icon on the case back, really quite a piece. I assume it is a limited edition of 2008, now how do I get one in California?! Congratulations!

Best,
Tim

from all of omega olympic edition. Unfortunately, it started selling on 8/8/08, and i wasn't in Hong Kong or China.

Now i'm hunting for dvd of the opening ceremony. i miss the 1st 30 mnts!!!

cen@jkt