A current exhibit in New York explores Swiss watchmaker Omega’s heritage and iconic timepieces, including ones worn by Elvis Presley, President John F. Kennedy, a NASA astronaut, and James Bond.
The “Planet Omega” exhibition (through Nov. 19) unfolds across seven areas dedicated to different facets of Omega’s legacy. The Vintage section features timepieces borrowed from the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland. Notable among them is Elvis Presley’s wristwatch adorned with 44 brilliant-cut diamonds, a gift from RCA Records in 1960 to mark a milestone in the King’s career. Also on display is the Omega Slimline that John F. Kennedy wore at his inauguration in 1961—he had received it as a gift from Grant Stockdale with a predictive engraving, “President of the United States John F. Kennedy from his friend Grant.”
The Sports and Olympic Games section spotlights Omega’s role as Official Timekeeper for the Games and showcases the original split-seconds chronograph used at the 1932 Olympics. That piece inspired the innovative Chrono Chime watch, featuring Omega’s most complex movement.
The area named Ocean delves into Omega’s diving legacy, with the original 1932 Marine—the first diver’s watch available to civilians—and the Seamaster “Ultra Deep,” which reached unprecedented ocean depths in 2019.
And it wouldn’t be an Omega exhibit without paying homage to 007. The James Bond section includes the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition from Daniel Craig’s final appearance as Bond, in 2021’s No Time to Die, and exquisite timepieces crafted for the spy franchise’s 60th anniversary.
In the Space display, Omega’s pivotal role in space exploration takes center stage, with the CK2998 worn by astronaut Wally Schirra in 1962 and the latest Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award timepiece.
The Omega exhibition also has sections called Friends, celebrating the brand’s ambassadors over the years and categories, and Precision, highlighting a central theme across all of the watchmaker’s achievements.
“Planet Omega” is at the Chelsea Factory in Manhattan.
(Photos courtesy of Omega)
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