omega 2503 33 42 2mm

The Archipelago Raid is an extreme sailing competition where sport, nature, endurance and adventure combine to produce a challenge that is only embarked upon by the most competent sailors. It takes place in the spectacular Stockholm, Aland and Finland archipelagos, which together form an exceptional course through beautiful but harsh landscapes. Each team of two sailors sail for four days on a Formula 18 (5.5m catamaran) along a unique course drawn among 100 000 rocks and islands. Every year, the Archipelago Raid is organised around mid-summer (end of June/beginning of July) when the nights are extremely short at the 60's north latitude. The bright nights provide a unique navigating experience which appeals to many top foreign sailors. During the four days and nights, the competitors sailed more than 350 miles, divided on five legs, with a total of 25 check points to pass. The results are based on a point system per leg. After a tight battle between the five frontrunners, Sogeti (skippered by last year's winner Magnus Wox��n, with Rodney Ardern) was the first to cross the finish line at 16.19.44 (local time). However, after all the points from the five legs were added together, Tidermans was the overall winner. Since the start, the Archipelago Raid has been characterised by the incredibly even racing: precision timekeeping was therefore crucial. In this one of the most gruelling orienteering sailing races,endurance, speed, strategy, crazy navigation, organisation, cold water and no sleep are all necessary ingredients for success. This year's event also gave rise to disappointment for some: OMEGA ambassador Ellen MacArthur sustained an accidental injury to her leg by a knife, cutting her shin during a manoeuvre. Ellen carried on racing for a few hours with top sailor Nick Moloney on board OMEGA Hobie Tiger 18, but her leg began to swell and they were forced to withdraw. She was then examined by the doctor who confirmed that she needed to rest the leg. Ellen was clearly disappointed, but her indefatigable determination and spirit shone through: "It's a real shame, but we have every intention of coming back for another go".Skipper of the winning team Tidermans, Anders Lewander, summed up the exhilaration of the competition, saying, "The Raid is a powerful experience: an odd mix of great and wild sailing. A mix of meticulous planning and a sailing experience with both good and bad all the time. One can never give up and it is really important to constantly encourage each other on board". This year OMEGA is proud to have added the Archipelago Raid to the sailing competitions for which it acts as Official Timekeeper �C which include The America's Cup and The Swedish Match Cup - and looks forward to its continued association with this event in the future.

Every constellation in the universe has its brightest stars, and in Omega's newly-redesigned Constellation line, nothing glitters more brilliantly than the unique and luxurious Constellation Baguette. The Constellation Baguette has been created with a strong and vivid visual identity �C its dial displays a dramatic supernova structure which emanates boldly from the diamond Constellation star on its mother-of-pearl background at 6 o'clock. The one-of-a-kind masterpiece glistens with 459 Top Wesselton diamonds totalling just over 30 carats. The "invisible" mounting of the 146 baguette and trapeze diamonds on the dial means that no trace of the 18kt white gold used in the creation of its case can be seen between the precious stones. The Constellation Baguette is not only an aesthetic wonder: it is driven by the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8421. Omega's Co-Axial technology, introduced in 1999, has revolutionized the way fine mechanical watches are made. The movement's Co-Axial escapement reduces the amount of sliding friction in the watch, virtually eliminating the need for lubrication, which means longer service intervals and greater precision over time. The Si 14 silicon balance spring adds resistance to shock and the effects of external disturbances. Because the Omega Constellation Baguette is a one-of-a-kind horological masterpiece, every one of its 459 diamonds has been cut specifically for the watch. As a result, if one of the stones needs to be replaced or exchanged, the process can take longer than it would for a series-production watch. Any new diamond will have to be custom-prepared so that it matches the colour, clarity, cut and carat size of the stones around it. In fact, due to the absolutely unique nature of the Constellation Baguette, no standard replacement parts can be kept in stock �C each one would have to be specially created for this extraordinary timepiece. The Omega Constellation Baguette is the most elegant Constellation ever created and expresses the ultimate blend of elegant design and superior watchmaking.