LOOK: Filipino watch brand creates special timepiece dedicated to 2024 Filipino Olympic athletes
It goes without saying that time is of utmost importance to athletes.
It's among their treasured assets when it comes to constructing their training schedules, tracking their progress, and more, which is why it's only fitting that the Filipino athletes who are competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics will be gifted their own unique watch to mark their feat.
In partnership with the Philippine Olympics Committee, local brand Makina Watches recently unveiled its latest creation dedicated to the 20 Pinoy athletes who have so far qualified for the Olympics. The timepiece features the recognizable image of the Philippine flag as well as the logos of the Olympics and the Paris Olympics.
In an interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Makina Watches CEO Danilo Villanueva said that they initially had a different design in mind.
"The design direction was even more colorful than what is being produced now, inspired by three very colorful entities that come together on the watch: The Olympics, The Paris Olympics, The Filipino Flag, and everything that they stand for," he said.
"However, after learning more about the collective of people who will receive this watch, the correct decision was to tone it down just a little," he added.
Upon closer look at the watch, you will notice the text "1924-2024" inscribed onto the dial. It imbues the timepiece with "historical significance," according to Villanueva.
"The 1924 in the text '1924-2024' that is clearly and centrally marked on the dial denotes the first time the Philippines competed in the Olympics, which ironically was held in Paris as well—this makes the timepiece all the more special," he said.
The watch is powered by the highly reliable NH35 movement with 41-hour power reserve and hacking seconds. The case is made of surgical grade 316L stainless steel with domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass.
The timepiece is strapped on with a stainless steel bracelet and comes with a complimentary silicone rubber strap for higher comfort during more strenuous sport activities.
The Paris 2024 Olympics Timepiece was commissioned by the Philippine Olympics Committee. Augustine Roa reached out to the brand on behalf of the committee's president, Bambol Tolentino.
Villanueva, who led the design, said that he and his team were only able to allocate one day for the first design draft, but it "luckily landed on something we'd be proud to spotlight."
The watch is limited to only 100 pieces and will be finished by August. It will be given to the 2024 Filipino Olympic athletes, government officials, major sponsors, members of foreign National Olympic Committee members, as well as President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Apart from the Olympics-themed watch, Makina Watches is also bringing back their "Makina Mephisto_III" model after seven years, which comes in an all-new body and dial style and features the brand's first integrated bracelet design.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will begin on July 26 and will end on Aug. 11.
The Filipino athletes who have qualified so far include pole-vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza, rower Joanie Delgaco, fencer Sam Catantan, golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina, swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch, and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe.
