The 2026 Winter Olympics are just one year away from commencing in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, and will be known as Milano Cortina 2026. Omega will be continuing their support as the official timekeeper of the games, a role they’ve held since 1932’s games in Los Angeles, and as usual, they will be taking full advantage with special watch releases marking the occasion. Today, we’re getting a look at the first, which is a 37mm 18K Moonshine gold Seamaster done in full throwback style. It’s called the Milano Cortina, and it’s a nod to the considerable history between Omega and the Olympics.
The new Seamaster gets a striking design that is simple, symmetrical, and highly angular in fashion. Omega has proven quite adept at creating special throwback designs in this vein, with the last example appearing before the Paris 2024 summer games. Of course, it helps that the brand enjoys a nearly inexhaustible back catalog of references from which to draw inspiration. That said, each of these releases, including this newest Seamaster, somehow feel fresh and unique, as if they are interpreting old-school design language in a new manner that isn’t quite modern, but also isn’t fully retro.
Omega has listened to fans in delivering a 37mm Seamaster, and they’ve done it in their proprietary Moonshine gold alloy. The design itself draws from other historic Seamasters to be released around the Olympics, the Melbourne 1956 games in particular. The Milano Cortina reference exercises a greater level of restraint, however, keeping all references to the games relegated to the caseback. The one thing I’d have loved to have seen carry over from that 1956 Seamster is the mesh gold bracelet, which would have pushed this new example over the top.
The dial design is defined by large diamond shaped hour markers crafted from Moonshine gold, and set atop a white Grand Feu enamel dial. A set of dauphine hands track the time with a strong presence of their own. The only markings are the applied Omega logo at the top, and a retro script Seamaster label at the bottom. This may be a small, solid gold watch, but the design is not short on dramatic moments. This one will wear with plenty of personality in tow.
Following suit is the 37mm case which features angular lugs that have been attached to the case. The design is pure throwback and they work remarkably well in this package. There are no soft curves in sight, and even the hexagonal crown falls in line with the theme. The watch is fitted to a brown alligator strap with a Moonshine gold buckle. It works, but a full gold mesh unit is still floating around in the back of my head with this one.
Omega is using their automatic caliber 8807 with this watch, which sits behind a closed engraved caseback. Its use makes for a total thickness of 11.4mm, which does include a heavily domed crystal. The movement is master chronometer certified, and is anti-magnetic as well thanks to the silicon balance spring.
There is no word on availability at the moment, though the Seamster Milano Cortina will be priced from $19,300. Omega