This Obscure Omega Watch Is Quietly Dominating the Olympics

The Ultra Light is a different beast altogether. A showcase for Omega’s technical prowess, the mechanical watch weighs a scant 55 grams on a fabric strap. That’s thanks to the insane amount of titanium utilized for the watch.

Most titanium watches will make a case from the stuff and call it quits, but not the Ultra Light. Not only is the case made from Gamma Titanium — a particularly resilient form of the alloy used in aircraft — but the dial is also fashioned from Grade 5 titanium. What’s more, the hand-wound movement was Omega’s first to be crafted from titanium, making nearly every component on the watch titanium.

The Ultra Light was Omega’s first watch to use a movement made of titanium.

Omega

Another first for Omega that debuted on the Ultra Light is the unique telescoping crown that can be pushed into the case when not in use. This makes it so the crown isn’t jutting into your wrist, something I’m sure the athletes wearing this watch greatly appreciate.

The Aqua Terra Ultra Light debuted back in 2019 with an astronomical price tag of $50,000. The pricing, so out of line with the rest of the Aqua Terra line, has long perplexed many enthusiasts. Granted, the innovation was impressive, but who would buy it at that price? Who was this quirky sports watch for?

To me, the Olympics have given us an answer. With the Ultra Light prominently displayed on the wrists of so many winning athletes, it is truly living up to Omega’s billing of it being the “ultimate athlete’s watch.”