OMEGA and Milano Cortina 2026: Excellence in timekeeping

The final countdown is over, the athletes are ready, and the stopwatches are set for kickoff. Since February 6, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games have marked the start of a winter sports season in two of Italy’s largest cities. OMEGA will be there for the occasion! OMEGA and Milan-Cortina 2026, it’s a start!

The official timekeeper of the XXV Olympic Games

OMEGA is the official timekeeper of the 2026 Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, marking its 32nd participation since 1932. Present at every competition venue, the brand accurately records every second of the action, leveraging its proven expertise and technology. This enduring role is a testament to OMEGA’s precision and a heritage that the brand cherishes deeply. The Swiss watchmaker will record all 116 events across 16 sports disciplines, ensuring total reliability in the moments that matter.

Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, said, “The opening of the Olympic Winter Games is always charged with emotion and expectation. At this moment, we particularly celebrate the dedication that has brought every athlete here. It is a privilege for OMEGA to stand alongside them and support their efforts through our timekeeping excellence. We are absolutely ready for the split-seconds that will make history at Milano Cortina 2026.”

As the Winter Olympic Games progress, OMEGA countdown clocks will remain an iconic symbol in the host cities, continuing their countdown until the start of the Winter Paralympic Games on March 6, which will run until March 15. Proud to have timed the Paralympic Games since 1992, OMEGA will once again be on hand to ensure that every performance is recorded with the same level of precision and excellence.

A watch in tribute to the Winter Olympics: The OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Milan Cortina

The partnership between OMEGA and Milan Cortina would not be what it is without a special edition for watch enthusiasts. As the official timekeeper of this famous event, the brand has launched a Seamaster Diver 300M watch, the official watch of British secret agent James Bond, specially designed for the occasion as a tribute to winter. 

The overall design of this 43.5 mm watch is inspired by the Milan Cortina 2026 emblem, allowing sports-loving gentlemen to own a true tribute to this historic Olympic event. Each piece comes in a special Milan Cortina 2026 box, adding even more prestige to this exclusive souvenir.

To set the tone for this winter-inspired design clad entirely in white, OMEGA has crafted this watch from white ceramic and grade 5 titanium, two materials that combine elegant beauty with lightness. These materials are finished in different ways, creating contrasting surfaces around the design. This includes the polished-brushed case, sandblasted helium valve and crown, and a white ceramic bezel, which features a laser-engraved diving scale in relief.

On the dial, OMEGA has created a unique effect in honour of these Winter Olympic Games. Made of white ceramic, it features laser-engraved frosting with a fingerprint pattern inspired by the “26” in the Milan-Cortina 2026 emblem. To complete the dial design, the rhodium-plated hands and indexes have been filled with white Super-LumiNova, a material that allows the hands to “glow” in the dark, while the varnished central seconds hand has been given a subtle blue gradient, a colour found in the Games logo. 

A final Olympic tribute is paid on the back of the Grade 5 titanium case, where OMEGA has affixed the Milan Cortina 2026 emblem, forever linking this watch to the XXV Olympic Winter Games. Mounted on an integrated white rubber strap with a buckle, also in grade 5 titanium, this unique Seamaster Diver 300M is powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8806. With a power reserve of 55 hours and certified to the most stringent standards of the Swiss watchmaking industry, it offers a level of precision and performance that any athlete would be proud of.

Available at all authorized OMEGA retailers in Canada (and worldwide), as well as at the OMEGA Fairmont boutique in Vancouver and the new OMEGA boutique in Calgary, located at Chinook Centre. More details on ordering the watch here. 

An OMEGA house in the heart of Milan

For the first time ever at the Winter Olympics, OMEGA, the official timekeeper, is opening a house dedicated to the brand for the duration of the sporting competition. The OMEGA House Milan can now be unveiled, revealing an intimate and welcoming space that guests can enjoy until February 21.

Located at Ristorante Cracco, run by Carlo Cracco, a friend of the OMEGA brand and renowned chef, this winter edition of the OMEGA House is situated in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, in the heart of the city. The magic happens in this famous shopping arcade, iconic with its imposing glass dome, ornate ironwork and marble floors bathed in natural light. Upon entering the restaurant, the sophisticated décor continues, combined with elegant architecture and innovative yet traditional cuisine.

The ground floor café has been transformed into “OMEGA Café by Cracco,” sporting the OMEGA brand but still operating as usual under the leadership and excellent service of the Café Cracco team.

The first and second floors have become a retreat for the Winter Olympics, where members can relax in the lounge during the day, dine in the restaurant, or watch live sporting events on TV screens.

In the evening, the venue also hosts various events and themed parties, including the opening, which was attended by brand ambassador George Clooney in true OMEGA style, alongside celebrities and friends of the brand.

The very first OMEGA House opened its doors in London in 2012, followed by a second edition in Rio in 2016. Continuing this growing tradition, the Milan House in 2026 is set to be another must-see destination for visitors to Italy’s fashion capital.

As we mentioned, it will be open from February 8 to 21, and a full program will be unveiled throughout the Olympic Games on OMEGA’s various channels. It is definitely the place to celebrate OMEGA and Milan Cortina 2026.

OMEGA and Milano Cortina 2026: The OMEGA Pavilion at the heart of the Olympic Winter Games

Visitors to Milan now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games timekeeping, thanks to the OMEGA Pavilion inaugurated in the heart of the host city.

Located in San Babila, the OMEGA Pavilion celebrates the brand’s long tradition as Official Timekeeper of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a role it has held since 1932. Visitors can explore a dynamic and interactive space filled with installations that allow them to experience all the excitement of sport.

To officially declare the OMEGA Pavilion open, the ribbon was cut jointly by Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, Kirsty Coventry, new President of the International Olympic Committee, and Alain Zobrist, CEO of OMEGA Timing.

Raynald Aeschlimann says, “The OMEGA Pavilion is really the best way to understand our role as Official Timekeeper. We can take you inside each sport and show the technologies and processes that make every moment possible. It’s a must-see attraction in the host city and you can learn so much about the magic of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

Kirsty Coventry says, “It’s amazing to see the OMEGA Pavilion here in Milan, which gives fans a
chance to explore how OMEGA supports the athletes and how much innovation goes on behind
the scenes. Timekeeping is such a vital part of the Games and this brings it to life in a really
engaging way.”

For visitors to the Pavilion, the journey begins just outside, where OMEGA’s Olympic and Paralympic heritage comes to life through historical images and captions. This is a brief introduction to the brand’s 94-year heritage, highlighting the revolutionary innovations in timekeeping that have evolved over time.

The discovery continues inside, with a comprehensive presentation of stories, films, athlete profiles, technology exhibits, and photoshoots.

But perhaps the most exciting experience is the opportunity to sit in an Olympic bobsled and feel the thrill of the sport through a virtual reality experience. This unique activation highlights the fast-paced nature of the sport and shows how OMEGA technology is used to measure every second.

Visitors can also step into the shoes of a freestyle skier during a spectacular jump. When they stand in front of the camera, artificial intelligence software creates a personalized image that makes them look like they have mastered the art of extreme sports. It’s a fun souvenir to post on social media.

For figure skating fans, an exhibition shows how OMEGA technology now captures a wide variety of data in this sport, from the height and duration of jumps in real time to rotations and landing speed.

Of course, some of OMEGA’s most important timing equipment is also on display. This includes the electronic starting pistol and the latest photo-finish camera, Scan’O’Vision ULTIMATE, which proved extremely useful during the parallel giant slalom snowboarding competitions. Each piece provides an interesting insight into cutting-edge timekeeping.

The OMEGA Pavilion is open to the public every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, from February 7 to 22 and March 6 to 15. Admission is free.