Omega Automatic Watches

The IAAF Diamond League is an annual series of one-day meets which intends, as one of its main goals, to enhance the worldwide appeal of athletics. The 14 meetings planned for 2010 replace the Golden League, whose six meetings were contested exclusively in Europe. The IAAF Diamond League will still include the most prestigious events on the European athletics calendar but will also feature meetings in China and the United States and will kick off its ambitious schedule in Doha, Qatar on the 14th of May.Stephen Urquhart, the president of OMEGA, said, "We are looking forward to timing the performances of the talented men and women competing in the international IAAF Diamond League meetings. We already know many of these top athletes through our association with the Olympic Games and we are pleased to be part of this new initiative which will bring world-class athletics to an even wider audience."IAAF President Lamine Diack reflected on OMEGA's history of timing athletic events and expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. "Athletics as the Olympics' number one summer sport has had a long standing and historic relationship with OMEGA. Accurate timing and measurement are at the core of an objective sport such as athletics, and the results of the IAAF Diamond League will particularly be in the public's focus this summer as the best athletes in the world vie for more than US$6 million in prize money." In addition to its timekeeping and data handling activities at some of the world's highest-profile sporting events, OMEGA has been responsible for the development of much of the key technology in sports timing, including the Scan'O'Vision photofinish camera with its ability to "photograph time". OMEGA has served as Official Timekeeper at 24 Olympic Games since 1932 and recently extended its agreement with the International Olympic Committee through 2020.

OMEGA ambassadors Simon Yam, QiQi and Richie Jen, the Taiwanese pop idol, and a host of Hong Kong celebrities and socialites joined Mr Kevin Rollenhagen, Vice President of OMEGA China and Hong Kong, to officially unveil the Flagship store. Other guests included artists Edwin Siu, Margaret Chung, Joyce Li, Tricia Chan, Michael Tong, Ken Chan, Samson Yeung, fashion designers Benny Yeung and Dorian Ho, models Angela Hong and Jessey Ming, racing driver Wings Tang and socialites Karen Chan, Mrs Lau Kam Yiu and Mrs Wong. The traditional Chinese opening began with a special lion dance performance to symbolise joy and prosperity. It was followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony officated by all the OMEGA ambassadors and Kevin Rollenhagen. The Flagship's prime retail location means that the OMEGA brand is pre-eminently positioned to capitalize on interest from the local and mainland China markets as well as thousands of international visitors, particularly after the extensive refurbishment to the area is completed later this month. The store will showcase the full collection of OMEGA watches and will exclusively offer its Bijoux and Quadra Chrono collections in an innovative new retail concept that makes watch-buying an experience to savour. As well as an on-site OMEGA service centre and VIP room for premier customers, the Flagship Store will also house a Collector's Lounge where the connoisseur will be able to examine feature pieces and exhibits from the OMEGA museum, dip into OMEGA books and reference manuals in the library or converse with OMEGA watchmakers while enjoying complimentary beverages. Stephen Urquhart, President of OMEGA, said, "We are delighted to launch our first Flagship Store in Hong Kong. It is the largest store of its kind with the most expansive collection of products in Asia. The opening confirms how much we value Hong Kong in our global strategy, both for its outstanding appreciation of the art of watchmaking and for its strategic location and access to the China market. We are confident that the special features offered in our Flagship Store will futher strengthen OMEGA's foothold in Hong Kong". Mr Kevin Rollenhagen confirmed the strategy behind the expansion in OMEGA Flagship cities, "We aim to offer truly world-class customer service to local customers as well as tourists, and to bring them closer to the brand through this engaging retail concept. With a special OMEGA watchmaker in-store, more first hand and detailed information on watchmaking technology can be provided for local enthusiasts. We are confident that the Flagship Store will support our expansion plan in Hong Kong and China."To date, there are numerous OMEGA Flagship stores around the world, including ten located in China. As well as the new Hong Kong store, two Flagship stores exist in Shanghai, and one each in Ningbo, Shenyang, Dalian, Beijing, Wenzhou, Kunming and Hangzhou. These are in addition to the Flagship Stores in the international centres of Zurich, Paris, Cannes, Milan and Bangkok. OMEGA plans to christen several more in the near future.