Omega supports the H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2009

"Endurance horse racing is a sport that demands perseverance, dedication and a great deal of understanding between the horse and its rider," said Omega Vice President Raynald Aeschlimann. "Omega appreciates and thrives on such qualities by creating watches that are assembled with extreme devotion and built to last." he added.

Endurance is a relatively young sport but one that is exceedingly challenging for the competitors and their steeds as well as the timekeepers due to the distances involved. The 160-km race requires the horses to be checked by veterinarians at regular intervals along the way before being allowed to continue. Competitors' times must be clocked at the different gates and a complete overview of time maintained throughout the race which can last well over 10 hours.

"The tradition and cultural continuity of endurance racing worldwide must be preserved and supported. Through Omega'S history in maintaining the tradition of timekeeping, we are pleased to be part of and support the time-honoured and prestigious endurance racing here in the United Arab Emirates."

said Omega's Aeschlimann.

Omega's history of 160 years of watchmaking and over a century of sponsoring the world's most renowned sporting events - from the Olympics to the America's Cup - makes it the perfect partner for the race.

For the H.H. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup 2009, Omega has brought four special limited edition Co-Axial Broad Arrow 1957 Speedmaster watches specially engraved with the Endurance Cup Logo on their case backs. Omega presented specially engraved watch to the winner Ali Khalfan Al Jahouri of Al Wathba Stable - Abu Dhabi UAE.

The Speedmaster Broad Arrow boasts the latest advances in watch technology and has been fitted with Omega's exclusive Calibre 3313. At the heart of the self-winding movement is the Co-Axial escapement which considerably reduces friction in the mechanical watch movement, lessens the need for lubrication and in turn offers improved long-term reliability and accuracy.

Pioneered by Omega in 1999, the Co-Axial escapement represents one of the most important advances in watchmaking and was first introduced in Omega's De Ville range. The column wheel chronograph mechanism of this timepiece is designed to ensure a smooth start to the sweep of the seconds hand when the chronograph is activated and precision stop and reset functions. The Speedmaster Broad Arrow has a power reserve of 52 hours, a convenient date window at 6 o'clock and has been officially certified as a chronometer by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, the COSC.

The 42 mm case of the Broad Arrow is available in a variety of metals: in sumptuous 18-Ct red gold, 18-Ct yellow gold, a dramatic combination of stainless steel and 18-Ct red gold and more traditional stainless steel. The case has been beautifully polished and brushed and the special double gaskets on the crown and chronograph pushers ensure water resistance to 100 metres/330 ft. The resilient sapphire crystal case back protects and reveals the superlative Co-Axial 3313 movement and the dial is afforded maximum resilience with a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.

A novelty of the red gold, yellow gold and combination stainless steel and red gold models of the Speedmaster Broad Arrow is the Omega patented "screw and pin" bracelet. Changing the links of the bracelet to suit the wearer's wrist size has never been easier with Omega's ingenious system of discreet screws. Not only does this confer greater flexibility, it actually improves the aesthetics of the bracelet.

The bracelet is fully integrated into the case forming a highly fluid, ergonomic and harmonious line that follows the contours of the wrist perfectly. Available in red gold, yellow gold and in combination red gold and stainless steel, the bracelets feature a matching safety clasp. The links of the bracelet are beautifully wrought and have been brushed and polished for additional texture and contrast giving this watch a unique finish. Inspired by the first solid link bracelet of the 1960's, the more traditional stainless steel version of the Speedmaster Broad Arrow is fitted with a classic stainless steel bracelet and a foldover clasp.

For watch lovers who prefer the feel and look of a leather strap, there is a choice of a brown calfskin strap for the stainless steel model and a brown alligator strap for the yellow gold model, both with their corresponding stainless steel or yellow gold foldover clasps. The red gold watch can be customized with a black alligator leather strap with its red gold foldover clasp and the impressive stainless steel and red gold version also comes with a brown alligator strap with a stainless steel foldover clasp and Omega's distinctive logo in red gold.

The prestige watch manufactures Omega was founded in 1848 and has since continually set the pace in the many fields of watchmaking: from precision competitions, sports timekeeping, and design awards to watches for professional use in space or underwater. Omega identifies with a world of achievement and pioneering spirit. Omega was the Official Timekeeper for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will resume its Official Olympic Timekeeping role at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games and the London 2012 Olympic Games.