One year from now, the 2026 Winter Olympics will commence in Italy. To mark the milestone, Omega has created one of its most striking vintage reissues to date, the Seamaster 37 mm Milano Cortina 2026. A homage to the vintage Seamaster Olympic created for the 1956 Melbourne Games, the new edition stays true to its heritage, but isn’t a one-for-one remake.

Instead it’s is a blend of elements characteristic of 1950s Omega watches, including distinctive “dog leg” lugs and hexagonal crown of the Constellation, along with a white grand feu enamel dial that’s a nod to the cream enamel dial of the Seamaster Olympic.

Initial thoughts

The new Seamaster revives some of the best design elements of 1950s Omega wristwatches, primarily the Constellation, while incorporating the key details of the Seamaster Olympic. The mix works surprisingly well, and results in a watch that has a pleasing vintage feel. The case is a little bigger and thicker than the original, but not sized reasonably well.

While it is not an imaginative creation, the new Seamaster looks good. The visual and tactile appeal will also be enhanced by the high quality of execution typical of modern Omega watches, especially on the dial and case.

The Seamaster 37 mm costs US$19,300, leaving it amongst the pricier time-only watches in the Omega catalogue and well beyond the sweet spot on the price spectrum for the brand. That said, it is decent enough value considering the case in Moonshine gold, fired enamel dial with solid gold appliqués and hands, and of course a latest-generation Master Co-Axial cal. 8807.

1950s style revived

The Seamaster 37 mm adopts elements from various vintage Omega models in a coherent manner. With its angled “dog leg” lugs and six-sided crown, the case is reminiscent of the Constellation, but it’s slightly larger than a 1950s watch, having been sized up for modern tastes and the calibre inside. The case is 37 mm wide and slightly thick at 11.4 mm tall, and it’s in 18k Moonshine gold, Omega’s proprietary yellow gold alloy. Despite the retro style and precious metal, the case is still water resistant to 100 m.

The dial is white grand feu enamel, a material that takes after the Seamaster Olympic that similarly had a fired enamel dial. While the vintage Seamaster had prominent Olympic branding on the dial – one version featured a large Olympic “Cross of Merit” emblem – the new model keeps the dial elegantly minimalist. As is the norm for most high-end Omega models, all of the elements on the dial are solid gold, including the applied logo and hands.

The solid case back bears the relief logo of the 2026 Winter Games that will take place in the twin northern Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Beneath is the Master Co-Axial cal. 8807. It’s a Master Chronometer that’s certified by METAS to meet a variety of functional criteria, including magnetism resistance of up to 15,000 gauss. Fitting with a free sprung-balance and silicon hairspring, the cal. 8807 is has 55 hours of power reserve.

Key facts and price

Omega Seamaster 37 mm Milano Cortina 2026
Ref. 522.53.37.20.04.001

Diameter: 37 mm
Height: 11.4 mm
Material: 18k Moonshine gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 8807
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Frequency: 25,200 beats per hour (3.5 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 55 hours

Strap: Brown alligator leather strap

Limited edition: No
Availability: Now at Omega boutiques and retailers
Price: US$19,300

For more, visit omegawatches.com