Omega Sochi Petrograd Limited Edition Art Deco Watch

Louis Brandt founded the Omega brand in 1848 and, since then, the brand's pioneering spirit has produced the world's first diver's watch, the world's only certified marine chronometer wristwatch, a world leader in timekeeping for sports, and the world's most records for timekeeping accuracy. These timepieces are among the most desired in the world, as the official timekeeping device of the Olympic Games since 1932 and the choice of NASA and the first men to walk on the Moon in 1969 (making it the first timepiece on the Moon); as well as the watch favored by James Bond since 1995. They are also a military favorite: with watches chosen by Britain's Royal Flying Corps (in 1917) and the American Army (in 1918) as their combat units' official timekeeper. Based in Biel/Bienne, the company is now owned by the Swatch Group. This newest Art Deco timepiece offers the brand's caliber 2202 automatic Co-Axial movement (which is basically a ETA 2895 - small seconds - with a Co-Axial escapement). The Co-Axial movement has been a cornerstone of the company's success, primarily due to the clear advantages of this type of escapement. The main advantage is that friction in the escapement is virtually eliminated, as it utilizes radial friction instead of sliding frictioni at the impulse surfaces. This results in greater accuracy over time, as well as longer intervals between services. Omega - being the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games - created the Sochi Petrograd Limited Edition Art Deco watch in honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which is to be held in Sochi, Russia. This piece is reminicent of another of their Art Deco watches from 1915 (created for a “Russian Leader”), as well as an older limited edition from their Museum Collection (made in 2004). The 18K yellow gold case for this timepiece is barrel-shaped - or tonneau style - and features Art Deco black (from 1 to 12) and red numberals (from 13 to 24) and blued steel hands on a silver-white dial (producing the red, white and blue of the Russian flag); of which, only 100 pieces will be produced. The buckle on the burgundy alligator leather strap is made of the same precious metal as the case; on the back of which the logo of the Olympic Games for which it is being produced is engraved.