How important is it for Omega to be an Olympic Partner?
We have been involved with the Olympics for decades, but the history of Omega’s partnership is much more than marketing. We have a key role to play. Our timekeeping contribution is the highlight for the brand. It is about who is best equipped to meet the IOC’s requirements. The technical know-how and technology involved have a bearing on our business. In wristwatches, it all comes down to precision. That is why it is an important association with the Olympics. We deal with time, it is part of our heritage and why we were chosen in 1932 by the Olympic Committee, because they needed a company that had the means to give them what they needed.
What are you preparing for Rio 2016?
The focus of our being there is to time the Games. They are a showcase to the world and, as official timekeeper, our brand is visible on TV and there are billions of people watching worldwide. The idea is to get as many people to live the World of Omega experience as possible. We will have an Omega House again in a cultural building on Ipanema Beach, which is the place to be. We will use it during the Games for all our activities—time keeping and welcoming celebrities, ambassadors, retail staff, and VIP customers—and, at the end, it will be handed back, completely renovated, to the authority that loaned it to us. We will have a pretty intensive program in a very unique environment and will reveal sides of Rio that people do not necessarily know.
“We have been at nearly every Olympics. It really is part of our DNA.”
Stephen Urquhart, Former President, Omega
What innovations have you introduced over the years?
We have a vast array of equipment that has evolved since 1932, like electronic and computing technology. In London, we had interesting innovations like the starting pistol and starting blocks in swimming. For Rio, we have a few new things prepared. We have an R&D department where there are scores of people working for sports. The Olympics is the pinnacle. Regarding sustainability, we are trying to protect the environment as much as possible. Everything that goes in will come out, except Omega House, which is our legacy.
What do you most enjoy about Omega’s Olympic sponsorship?
Being involved in an unbelievable event that is seen worldwide. Everyone knows about the Olympic Games. It has an incredible history, which is what I love about being associated with it. At Omega, we are looking at improving on a 300-year old system. We are not inventing new technology, but applying new materials and ideas. That’s what is great about this business. The Olympics is the same thing, an old dream with something new. To have such a strong past and future is unique
