Behind every great athlete and remarkable performance at this year’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games stood seminal Swiss watchmaker OMEGA. As the official timekeeper for the Games, the iconic brand made no secret of its connection to the sporting world, splashing the instantly recognisable logo across every camera, finish line, and corporate box. For those lucky enough to walk through Paris during the Games, you couldn’t help but notice, amid the sea of spectators and celebrities, how influential OMEGA’s presence on the ground really was. Everywhere you looked, there were nods to the Speedmaster and Seamaster lineups, with every square inch of the city’s incredible architecture draped in OMEGA banners and signage. But even so, one activation stood out. The jewel in the brand’s dazzling Olympic crown remains OMEGA House.
What is OMEGA House?
A multi-storey ode to the luxury watch brand, OMEGA House is located at the Hôtel de Poulpry, Maison des Polytechniciens, and served as the brand’s proverbial home for this year’s Games. Described as a unique sanctuary for guests and an exciting venue for evening events, the space took guests on a journey through OMEGA’s timekeeping history, detailing the brand’s connection with the Olympic Games, whilst also providing an unprecedented look at the brand’s most revered collections.
As a sporting fanatic and watch lover, spaces like OMEGA House are a dream to visit. Any brand that is able to marry the two disciplines together will always have a place in my heart, so when I got the opportunity to visit OMEGA House for this year’s Games, it was a no-brainer. Stepping inside the fabled halls of the Hôtel de Poulpry, Maison des Polytechniciens, during the height of the Games was like no experience I have ever had before. The level of service, luxury and attention to detail far exceeded the standard approach and it felt far more immersive than a simple activation. In a very real sense, OMEGA House embodied everything that the Paris 2024 Games stood for.
Progressive despite being rooted in tradition, OMEGA House bears the hallmarks of dedication and refinement in every square inch of the building, and it was impossible not to get swept up in the emotion. During the day, OMEGA House was littered with members relaxing, watching live Olympics sports, and escaping the pace of the city, but at night, the space was transformed into a hotbed of entertainment and style.
Across the two-week period, OMEGA House played host to a series of elaborate events, bringing the luxury of OMEGA and the very best of Paris nightlife together in one place. According to Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of OMEGA, the new space was designed to provide a place of true immersion, not simply in the Games but also in the world of sports timekeeping.
“We’ve designed OMEGA House to really bring guests into the heart of our brand,” Aeschlimann said. “There’s so much to explore and uncover, with surprises around every corner. It’s not just a beautiful place to relax and celebrate, but it’s also a showcase of everything that makes OMEGA special.”
For the launch of the Paris 2024 OMEGA House, global ambassadors Cindy Crawford and daughter Kaia Gerber explored the immersive spaces within, joined by American sprinter and OMEGA ambassador Gabby Thomas, rapper Rim’K, and French actresses Karidja Touré and Kim Higelin.
“Paris is a city I adore thanks to my career in fashion,” Cindy Crawford, OMEGA’s longest-serving ambassador, said upon the opening night celebrations. “To be returning here now, with my OMEGA family at the Olympic Games, is really a sentimental moment. I love that the House is right in the heart of this spectacular host city.”
OMEGA House Experiences
Across the entirety of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, OMEGA House featured a series of unique experiences; from a celebrity autograph wall through to displays of Paris 2024 timepieces. The 18th-century mansion is divided into a maze of different rooms, each celebrating a significant milestone in the brand’s horological or sporting endeavours. These include:
- Timekeeping – A look at the modern OMEGA technologies that are critical to the Olympic Games today. From the electronic starting pistol through to the photo finish camera.
- The Stadium – An immersive experience that simulates the excitement of being an Olympic Games champion.
- Speedmaster – A ‘gravity-defying’ vision of OMEGA’s history in space exploration. Highlights include a variety of floating Speedmaster watches, astronaut memorabilia, and a giant golden astronaut for the perfect selfie moment.
- Seamaster – A brief look into the current collection of OMEGA Seamaster watches, set in a casual and relaxed locale.
- Her Time – An exhibition of OMEGA women’s watchmaking from the past 100 years, highlighted by vintage ladies’ timepieces and keepsakes.
Interior Design
No stranger to innovative design, OMEGA adorned its home for the games with a seriously impressive design that plays off the existing opulence of The Hôtel de Poulpry, Maison des Polytechniciens. There were touches to 18th century design everywhere you looked, complete with stunning outdoor terraces and vibrant lounge areas.
When I first entered, I found myself in an area known as The Courtyard. The sophisticated outdoor space, just metres from the hustle and bustle of downtown Paris, felt like a completely new world. Quiet and tranquil, there were heaving crowds or ear-piercing sounds – just the dulcet tones of classical music and a sea of smiling concierges eager to welcome me inside.
From there, I made my way through to The Reception, which featured a full timeline of OMEGA’s history at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. In this unique space, you are privy to 92 years of sporting highlights, starting all the way back at OMEGA’s first Olympic Games in 1932. If I wasn’t already pumped for the Games, this was the perfect way to usher in my excitement.
Exteriors
Outside, it’s much the same. Beyond The Reception, I made my way to The Garden, a second outdoor area at the back of the house. Described as a ‘green oasis,’ The Garden provided a welcomed escape from the city, complete with comfortable furniture and a big screen for watching the sport. For me, this space was the best spot to relax and admire the city from a distance without needing to thrust myself into the roaming crowds outside.
“It was essential for OMEGA House to pay tribute to Paris,” Aeschlimann said. “This iconic city has welcomed the world and delivered a show full of sporting highlights and breathtaking venues. We’re loving the culture and the hospitality, and we know there is much more to look forward to across the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Where is OMEGA House?
OMEGA House is located at The Hôtel de Poulpry, Maison des Polytechniciens, and is spread over multiple floors. Originally built in the 18th century, the unique mansion house is situated between the Paris district of ministries and embassies, just a few steps from the fabled Musée d’Orsay.
When is OMEGA House Open?
OMEGA House will be open for members only from Sunday, July 28th, through to Saturday, August 10th, with a full event schedule being unveiled throughout the Olympic Games. The Paris edition follows the first OMEGA House that opened its doors at London 2012, followed by Rio de Janeiro in 2016. In keeping with that growing tradition, the House for Paris 2024 is expected to be another “place to be” for those who are in the city.
