Towards the end of June is usually a time when we, watch journalists, have traveled quite extensively, jumping from one plane to another trying to keep up with emails, calls and what’s happening in our beloved industry. And so, the first morning I open my eyes not knowing where I am nor what day of the week it is, even if it’s just for a few seconds, that’s when I realize that it’s time to calm down.

Truth be told, I absolutely adore traveling — especially when it’s with impeccable organizations to discover mechanical marvels in sumptuous locations that we probably couldn’t access nor afford otherwise. And this Omega trip was no exception. In fact, it was beyond my expectations. In the span of 24 hours, I realized that more than 50 shades of blue exist; I got my hands on the eight new Seamaster references before anyone else could; I met with the dream team sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuck who created a charity called Live Ocean; I fell completely in awe with Victor Vescovo — and in love (again) with Clooney, but I mean, who wouldn’t?

Mykonos: 12 hours to get there, 24 hours to spend there

It’s 8.45 a.m. and I can already feel a light warm breeze penetrating the immaculate white bedroom reaching the XXL bed I have been sleeping on for the last eight hours. It almost feels like summer. No wonder: I am in Mykonos, this beautiful Greek island we’ve been hearing about for the last few years where party animals from all over the world come to enjoy having music blasted into their ears while enjoying some grilled octopus with olive oil. Thank you, but no thank you. However, discovering this island made of rocks, white structures and turquoise beaches the way Omega imagined for the 75^th anniversary of the Seamaster, was unreal.

Unveiling eight new Seamaster 300 “Summer Blue” references

After a breakfast within range of 50 shades of blue of the Aegean Sea, we headed to the iconic Bagatelle restaurant, another place overlooking the water, but this time to discover the eight novelties with stunning gradated blue dials of different shades that correspond to their varying water resistance, ranging from the light blue of the Aqua Terra to the deep dark blue of the Ultra Deep. The eight models were presented on blue degradé wooden stands matching each reference of the Summer Blue collection. Each watch features a commemorative caseback with an engraving of Poseidon and two seahorses, and of course, not to forget the infamous Co-Axial caliber! Speaking of which…

Why the Omega Co-Axial Movement was such a revolution 

Traditional mechanical watches utilize a lever escapement, which is susceptible to friction and requires regular maintenance to ensure accurate timekeeping. The defining characteristic of the Omega Co-Axial movement is its innovative escapement system, which was developed in collaboration with master watchmaker George Daniels and revolutionized mechanical watchmaking.

The Co-Axial escapement is made of three primary components: the escape wheel, the anchor, and the co-axial impulse pinion. Unlike the traditional lever escapement, which operates with sliding friction, the Co-Axial escapement operates with a combination of sliding and rolling friction. This unique design reduces the friction between the components, resulting in increased accuracy and reduced wear over time. It also enhances the watch’s precision, leading to improved timekeeping performance. The movement requires less maintenance and fewer lubrications, resulting in longer service intervals and increased longevity.

Furthermore, the Co-Axial escapement contributes to the smooth and precise sweeping motion of the watch’s seconds hand, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. In other words, the Omega Co-Axial movement is a groundbreaking advancement in mechanical watchmaking, offering enhanced precision, longevity and aesthetic appeal.

Let’s get ChatGPT to explain it to you as if you were a toddler — well, a smart one at least.

You know how watches have a little part called an escapement that helps them tick and keep time? Well, the Omega Co-Axial movement has a super special kind of escapement that is different from what most watches use. It’s like having a superpower! The Co-Axial escapement is like a clever system inside the watch that helps it to work better and stay accurate. It’s made up of three important parts: the escape wheel, the anchor, and the co-axial impulse pinion. These parts work together to make sure the watch ticks precisely.

What’s so cool about the Co-Axial escapement is that it reduces something called friction. Friction is like resistance that happens when two things rub against each other. Normally, watches have a lot of friction, and that can make them less accurate over time. But the Co-Axial escapement is designed in a special way to reduce friction.

When there’s less friction, the watch becomes super accurate! It can keep time more precisely, which is really important for a good watch. And, guess what? Because there’s less friction, it also means that the watch doesn’t need as much maintenance or repairs. That’s pretty awesome! Another neat thing about the Co-Axial movement is how smooth and fancy it makes the seconds hand move. You know how the seconds hand in some watches seems to sweep really smoothly? That’s because of the Co-Axial escapement. It gives the watch a cool and elegant look.

Omega worked really hard to make the Co-Axial movement even better by using special materials like silicon. These materials make the watch tougher and more resistant to things that can mess with its accuracy, like magnets. So, in a nutshell, the Omega Co-Axial movement is revolutionary because it makes watches more accurate, and reduces the need for repairs.

Meet Victor Vescovo, my second crush (after George, obviously) 

Not that I don’t want to brag about the exquisite lunch we’ve had, but it’s far more inspiring to talk about Victor Vescovo. Like many of you (and I was part of the many), I had never heard about that guy aside from reading about some adventure underwater where the Omega Seamaster proved yet again how robust, reliable and necessary of a watch it was when going below sea level. But that’s about it, until I sat down facing this six-foot-tall American with full-white and longer hair than mine (that says a lot) tied up in a ponytail. He was telling an anecdote about the time he went underwater with Prince Albert II of Monaco, whom he has the privilege to call “Al”, and he got a call from his team that stayed above, asking to bring the Prince back up. “But we haven’t found what we came for,” said Prince Albert to Vescovo, “tell them they can wait.” Vescovo laughed and added, “Must be good to be a prince sometimes.”

We spent the next 20 minutes exploring the depths of the ocean through Vescovo’s stories. He is not just an Omega Ambassador, but also a record-breaking adventurer and pioneer who dared to explore the deepest parts of our planet underwater; climbed the highest summits of this Earth; and, just for fun, went to space. The guy has literally pushed the boundaries of human exploration.  Meanwhile, I just wonder if I will manage to get my nails manicured for my next watch event.

Some fun facts for you to shine at your next social dinner: Victor Vescovo holds several world records for venturing to the deepest points of the Earth’s oceans. In 2019, he made history by becoming the first person to complete a solo submarine dive to the bottom of the Challenger Deep, the deepest part of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. Descending an astonishing 10,928 meters (35,853 feet), Vescovo’s journey opened new frontiers of knowledge about the Earth’s underwater depths. As if it wasn’t enough, in 2020, he embarked on the Five Deeps Expedition: a project to reach the deepest points of all five oceans.

During this ambitious endeavor, he achieved a series of record-breaking submarine dives, including the Puerto Rico Trench in the Atlantic Ocean, the South Sandwich Trench in the Southern Ocean, the Java Trench in the Indian Ocean, and the Molloy Deep in the Arctic Ocean. Bear in mind that there are 27 deep sea trenches in the world, and Vescovo piloted his submersible into 17 of them, and for 11 of them, he was wearing his Omega. Once he even lost a lander on which the watch was attached for two full days. After an extensive search, they finally retrieved the lander and his Seamaster that was still ticking after spending 48 hours at the bottom of the ocean.

Omega and Victor Vescovo: A perfect partnership

He was about to hop on another crazy journey of his when he visited his local watch dealer in Dallas, Texas to find a watch that would hold extreme pressure; one that could not only resist water, but measure time in extreme depths. In no time, his first Omega Seamaster landed on his wrist. As it has been designed for diving purposes, with its robust construction and sealing mechanism to withstand such pressure, the Seamaster rapidly turned out to be what he needed. Ever since then, Vescovo has been relying on Omega timepieces as part of his crucial tools for his missions. His partnership with Omega not only showcases the durability and precision of Omega timepieces, but also reflects their shared dedication to preserving the planet’s natural wonders. Through this, Vescovo inspires us all to embrace our adventurous spirit and venture into uncharted territories, reminding us that the quest for discovery knows no bounds.

Blair Tuke & Peter Burling: the Dream Team

Speaking of people who care deeply about the destiny of our oceans and the state of our planet, Blair Tuke and Peter Burling were also attending the event. Blair and Peter are professional sailors from New Zealand who have achieved remarkable success in the world of sailing. For the last 15 years, they have sailed the world as best buddies. While Blair is recognized for his exceptional athleticism, strategic thinking and ability to navigate challenging sailing conditions, Peter is known for his versatility, exceptional helming skills, and is widely regarded as one of the most talented and successful sailors of his generation.

In addition to their sailing accomplishments, they have also co-founded a charity called Live Ocean. Through their charity, Tuke and Burling advocate for sustainable practices and support initiatives focused on ocean conservation, restoration and scientific research. The charity collaborates with scientists, researchers and conservation organizations to develop innovative solutions for the challenges facing our oceans. One of their initiatives is to promote the concept of a “Blue Economy”, which emphasizes the sustainable use of ocean resources and the development of industries that benefit both the economy and the environment. The organization actively supports projects that align with this vision, including marine protection initiatives, sustainable fisheries management, and the reduction of plastic pollution. When you ask Peter what would be the number one thing we as consumers can do, he replies, “Start paying careful attention to the provenance of the seafood you buy and eat.”

Furthermore, Tuke and Burling leverage their influence as prominent sailors and ambassadors for sustainability to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the oceans, and advocate for global action to mitigate its effects. By engaging with communities, educational institutions and policymakers, Live Ocean strives to create lasting change and foster a collective sense of responsibility for the future of our oceans. The link between Live Ocean and the Omega Seamaster watch lies in their shared commitment to ocean conservation and sustainability.

When looking at their friendship, listening to their stories and realizing how connected and aligned they were, it truly gave me a different perspective on how we live on a daily basis with our habits (good or bad), and how we can cultivate the right mentality in order to play our part to help the environment.

Back to George … 

Have you ever been close enough to a celebrity you’ve said a million times it was your dream to meet? I have, and let me tell you that even if you have created 235 scenarios in your head you will never ever be prepared for the real thing.

The sun was setting on a beach Omega managed to make private for the evening. Picture this: 2,000 candles covered the sand where a strong breeze was making sure my hair would make me look as if I had just gotten out of bed, or, as if I had stuck two fingers into an electrical socket. There were 140 guests split into two tables and I was fortunate enough to sit at George Clooney’s. My dinner companion seated diagonally to me happened to be George’s European agent and former bodyguard. When I learned that piece of info towards the end of the dinner, I jumped right at him, “So it means that it’s with you that I need to negotiate with in order to get a picture with your boss.” He laughed and explained that if he agreed, the 138 other groupies would want to do the same. I don’t blame them. I mean, he’s a fuckin’ 62-year-old god I would date in a split second, even if, for the record, he is my Dad’s age. Thankfully, he’s married to a goddess named Amal Clooney, and fully taken. Although… I have to say that when I laid eyes on him, it felt was as if I was struck by a bolt of lightning from Zeus himself.

But then George’s agent said, “Listen, when George sends me a signal that he wants to go, I will send you one, give you clearance with security, and you can meet us by the car so I can introduce him to you.” Deal!

And he did. “So nice meeting you. I am George,” said the man of many dreams to me. Since he mentioned that he was considering moving to France, I said he needed to meet a true French person before heading home. He laughed and told me he wanted his kids to speak français. I had to pinch myself very hard to stop myself from suggesting that I could become his French au pair, hum for the kids bien sûr. He touched my lower back, I felt his arm for the sake of a picture. And as I headed back to Geneva, I thought about his tanned skin, his Colgate smile, his Italian suit and leather shoes, and the frame I would get for our official portrait… So if you see me carting off to France after this, don’t be too surprised s.v.p.