Olympic Spirit: The Story Behind the Omega Seamaster 'Paris Special Edition

The official countdown to the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024 has started. Just one year remains until the formal start of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad on July 26, 2024, with Omega releasing the Seamaster 300M "Paris 2024" Special Edition. According to Omega, it will only be offered at its Parisian stores for the time being. The new Special Edition is a Seamaster 300M, but it has a bezel made of moonshine gold and several other embellishments honoring the 2024 Games. 

Omega's largest modification to the Paris Special Edition is the 18-karat Moonshine Gold bezel, which features a single lume dot at 12 o'clock and a laser-structured diving scale printed in positive relief. Beyond that, the caseback showcases the inlaid Moonshine Gold medallion commemorating Paris 2024, along with the Olympic rings below and the stamped "Paris 2024" on it. Also take note of the Paris 2024 logo's font: The date wheel, which is visible at six o'clock on the dial, features the same font used by Omega. The white ceramic dial has polished waves and a matte finish. Lastly, the customary bright marking on the middle seconds hand has been replaced with a little Paris 2024 logo.

The remainder of the specs match what one would anticipate from a contemporary Seamaster 300M. This indicates that Omega's METAS-certified Master Chronometer, model 8800, with a 55-hour power reserve, is ticking away inside. The stainless steel band that comes with Omega's latest Quick Change System is accompanied by a 42mm wide by 13.7mm thick case. The MSRP is $8,700, whereas the regular stainless steel Seamaster 300 costs $5,900. Omega claims that although it is not numbered or restricted, it is a special edition for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Omega has been the official timekeeper of the Olympics since 1932, and the 2024 games will mark its 31st Olympics in this capacity. We therefore anticipated receiving one or more special editions in honor of the Paris Games. Putting aside sentiments regarding limited editions and whether or not it's too early to begin the celebrations a full year before the 2024 Olympics, this is a handsome Seamaster Professional. This limited edition demonstrates Omega taking a somewhat different approach, as the current catalog does not feature a stainless steel Seamaster 300 with a gold bezel. The stainless steel band and case complement Omega's Moonshine Gold's more muted tone. 

Even though it costs $8,700 more than the typical steel Seamaster, it is still reasonably priced (it is still less expensive than a steel Sub, for instance). Although Omega states that it will only be accessible in Paris "for now," I wouldn't mind seeing this made available elsewhere or at the very least, seeing Omega take more steps to incorporate its gold alloys in novel ways.