Nowhere do microunits of time have as much of an impact on the outcome of a situation, arguably, as they do in the world of sports. When it comes to timekeeping, particularly for an event as momentous as the Olympics, it’s about a lot more than thumbing buttons on a stopwatch. Medals, careers, records, legacies – all determined by the imperceivable minutiae of time. To accurately capture some of the most historic moments in the Olympics is a daunting task that requires vast resources, technological mastery and a reputation for fastidiousness. Clearly Omega’s exceptionally good at it, having been entrusted with the task on 28 occasions, since 1932. With the upcoming Tokyo Olympics marking the 29th time, we take a look at the technology and the efforts that have escalated the science of timekeeping to what it is today.
IN THE BEGINNING
The year 1932 marked the first time a single watch brand was appointed official timekeeper for the Olympics. A lone watchmaker was shipped out from Bienne, Switzerland, carrying 30 stopwatches. All of them were accurate to 1/10th of a second and featured split-second functionality at a time when most other watchmakers could only manage accuracy within 1/5th of a second. Electronic devices were yet to be invented, and the task of timekeeping was carried out by a handful of hawk-eyed people. Flash forward to 2021, where the Tokyo Olympics has 530 timekeepers, 900 volunteers and 40 tonnes of timekeeping equipment, and you get an idea of just how far the Games have come.
Denne historien er fra July - August 2021-utgaven av GQ India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July - August 2021-utgaven av GQ India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE FUTURE SOUNDS LIKE AT EEZ
The Coachella-slaying, multi-language-singing, genre-obliterating members of Ateez are quickly becoming load-bearing stars of our global pop universe.
DEMNA UNMASKED
He's the most influential designer of the past decade. He's also the most controversial. Now the creative director of Balenciaga is exploring a surprising source of inspiration: happiness. GQ's Samuel Hine witnesses the dawn of Demna's new era, in Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Photographs by Jason Nocito.
Inside the undercover adventures of a full-time fraud sleuth.
HOW TO MAKE A FORTUNE AS A PROFESSIONAL WHISTLE-BLOWER
A LIFE OF FASHION
In an extensive conversation, the menswear icon discusses his rise, his mistakes, his triumphs, his retirement, and what the future holds for him and his beloved brand.
IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WITH GEORGE & BRAD
They've spent three decades living intertwined lives at the inconceivably glamorous height of Hollywood. Now, having crossed the threshold of 60, they're more comfortable than ever throwing bombs, dispensing hard-won wisdom, and, yes, arguing about who had the better mullet in the '80s.
ALEXANDER THE GRITTY
One of India's most creative chefs comes of age.
Penning History
Montblanc marks 100 years of its iconic Meisterstück with new writing instruments inspired by the 1924 Olympic Games.
Royal Enfield Forges a New Path
Say hello to the company's most cutting-edge roadster.
Arooj Aftab Owns the Night
The Grammy Award-winning artist, fresh off a Glastonbury set, speaks to GQ about her new album, Night Reign, from the ideas that led to its conception to its genre-defying collabs with Elvis Costello, Kaki King and more.
Louis Vuitton's New Beat
The luxury maison's latest addition to the Tambour line reiterates its commitment to watchmaking and craftsmanship.