In Singapore, OMEGA is Preparing to Time the World Aquatics Championships

The art of timekeeping, or meeting immense technological and sporting challenges by mastering the measurement of time and distance. This is how Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of OMEGA, explained it in a podcast episode for Luxury Tribune last year. It is a role that the company takes very seriously, reflecting the precision and excellence of its watchmaking expertise.

As an official partner of WAC (World Aquatics Championships) since 1973, the Swiss watchmaker will, as usual, provide timekeeping for the next World Aquatics Championships in 2025, which will take place in Singapore. This is a huge responsibility – one that the brand has also taken on at the Olympic Games since 1932 – and one that is crucial for athletes hoping to make history.

More than 2,500 athletes will compete in six different disciplines until August 3: swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving.

The WCH (World Aquatics Championships Arena) where the championships will take place has been specially built for the event and can accommodate 4,800 spectators. It was officially inaugurated last June at the Singapore Sports Hub.

To ensure the most accurate timekeeping, OMEGA relies on several technologies: the Quantum quartz chronometer, which has replaced mechanical chronometers; touch pads that accurately indicate the end of a race; the “Swimming Light Show” lighting system, which allows athletes and spectators to see race results in real time; starting blocks that guarantee an optimal start for each competitor; on-screen graphics to enhance the viewing experience; high-speed cameras used in case of disputes; lap counters measuring the number of laps remaining; intermediate points in open water; water polo timers; and finally, swimming tracking systems using cameras placed around the pool.

This year, six of the brand's ambassadors, among the world's greatest swimmers, have qualified. They include Australia's Kaylee McKeown, Switzerland's Noè Ponti, Regan Smith, Thomas Ceccon, David Popovici, Gregorio Paltrinieri. Committed to sport since its inception, OMEGA has accompanied and supported some of the most famous swimmers in history, such as Michael Phelps, Federica Pellegrini and many others.

One of the swimmers who is likely to attract the most attention during this competition is 24-year-old Swiss swimmer Noè Ponti. After breaking five world records in the 25m pool last year, he is now aiming for new achievements in the long course. When asked “What is the next important date?” Noè Ponti replied: “It's the World Championships in Singapore in the long course, the only medal I'm missing. I'm working hard to succeed there,” in an interview with Luxury Tribune earlier this year.

Despite a disappointing absence from the Olympic podium in Paris, he bounced back shortly afterwards by breaking the world record in the 50-meter butterfly in Shanghai, China, and then breaking it again two weeks later in Singapore, before confirming his form in Budapest at the end of the year in the 50-meter (21.32) and 100 meters (47.71) in the short course (25 meters). And so the Paris Games were quickly forgotten for Noè Ponti, who is now one of the favorites for the gold medal at the 22nd World Swimming Championships.

According to experts, there will be many highlights during the championships. Among these, the water polo tournament promises to be intense. Croatia, the reigning world champion, will be looking to take revenge on Serbia, which beat them in the Olympic final. The diving events will also be very interesting, as we will see the great champions of the People's Republic of China, who currently dominate the sport, fighting to retain their positions. And of course, in swimming, five Olympic champions from the Paris Games will be present (Léon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Katie Ledecky, Thomas Ceccon, and Kaylee McKeown).