hongkongtatler. august 2019 71
Watches / STYLEThere’s no doubting the power of
celebrity in catapulting awareness
of a brand, and nowhere is it more
evident than in the exclusive world
of high-end watches. Superstars are
becoming window displays for a new
generation of savvy watch collectors,
and Omega boasts some of the world’s
leading personalities in its family of
ambassadors, from Hollywood stars
such as Oscar-winners George Clooney
and Nicole Kidman to moonwalker
and space visionary Buzz Aldrin.
Omega, founded in 1848, is
synonymous with watchmaking
excellence, defined by a pioneering
spirit that’s been tried and tested via
numerous historical milestones. It
stands apart in its focus on quality.
Since 1932, Omega has served as the
official timekeeper of the Olympic
Games, and its iconic Speedmaster
wristwatch has been worn on every
Nasa-piloted space mission, including
all six moon landings.
As collectors, we tend to follow
the brands with which we feel most
closely aligned, and who doesn’t aspire
to achieve the same level of success
as Omega’s newsworthy luminaries?
Here, Hong Kong Tatler meets two of
the ambassadors keeping the luxury
brand at the forefront of collectors’
minds.
WHAT SHE’S WEARING
Cindy Crawford is a force to be
reckoned with. So much more than
one of fashion’s most recognisable
runway beauties, the mother of two is
an avid activist and fundraiser. Omega
is celebrating 20 years of partnership
with Crawford, its longest-serving
Face Time
As one of the world’s most forward-thinking watch brands, Omega has
no problem attracting high-profile names to front its campaignsBY ANNIE DARLINGambassador, this year. During that
time she has ridden elephants outside
the Taj Palace in New Delhi and
teed off among the alpine lakes of
Switzerland’s Crans-Montana. We
spoke to Crawford during her recent
visit to Hong Kong to celebrate
the new additions to Omega’s
Constellation Manhattan collection.What has changed over your
20-year relationship with Omega?
Since I began my relationship with
Omega I have grown and changed
in more ways than I could possibly
have imagined. When I first started
working with the brand two decades
ago, I was a young model who spent
most of her time shooting magazine
covers. Now look at me. I’m aged 52;
I’m a mother; I’m a businesswoman; I
do charity work.Tell us about your charity work.
Over the years Omega and I havesupported each other’s causes. I’m
passionate about fundraising for
paediatric oncology because my
younger brother died of leukaemia. If
I ever need help promoting a charity,
Omega will happily donate a watch or
buy a table at a fundraising event.
They have also introduced
me to one of their causes: Orbis
International. It’s an outstanding
organisation that works to restore
people’s vision in places where people
don’t have easy access to healthcare.What’s been your most memorable
moment with Omega?
I’ve shared so many incredible
experiences with Omega. Of course,
riding on an elephant in New Delhi
was amazing. More recently I spent
two weeks in Portugal. It was my first
time visiting. While we were there
we opened a new store and enjoyed a
wonderful cocktail party.It sounds as though you spend much
of your time travelling?
When I was younger I used to take
travel for granted. The older I get, the
more I appreciate new countries and
cities. I’m also blessed in that I’m often
able to take my daughter [Kaia Gerber,
also an Omega ambassador] on some
of the trips I do with Omega.What’s your favourite watch?
Constellation. It was the first watch
Omega aligned me with and people
have since referred to it as the “Cindy
watch.” It will always have a special
place in my heart. It feels more like
jewellery. It’s so sleek and easy to
wear. You can layer it and it’s very
feminine.“If I ever need
help promoting
a charity,
Omega will
happily donate
a watch”