Hands-On With The Omega Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026
A few weeks ago, I visited the Omega headquarters in Biel, and the folks there showed me this new handsome white-dial Seamaster 37mm. It ticks many boxes for me, and many of you also enjoy the return of the dog-leg lugs and vintage-style cases. Omega also shipped the watch to us, so it’s time for a hands-on review. Does it live up to my expectations? Let’s have a closer look.
Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026
Daan already wrote the introduction article on this watch on its release date, so I will not go into all the specifications and background stories too much. If you’re looking for that, you can find his article here.
I am a fan of the Omega Constellation and have a modest collection. I mention this because of the dog-leg lugs that Omega used for this new Seamaster. Based on some comments, I noticed two main questions: 1) Why isn’t this a Constellation? and 2) Will there be a new Constellation with similar design features?
Dog-leg lugs
As you can see in this image from Watches of Lancashire, an Omega Seamaster for the 1956 Olympic Games already had the dog-leg lugs. Only in 1960 did Omega transfer these lugs to the Constellation as well, as advised by Gérald Genta.
1966 Omega Constellation 167.005 with dog-leg lugs
Perhaps the vintage (pie-pan) Constellation is more on collectors’ radars than the 1956 Seamaster Olympic Games edition. As for the second comment I saw on Fratello and my IG feed, I can’t imagine we will not see the return of a more vintage-styled Constellation. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for that.
Omega Seamaster Beijing 2008
Similar to the Seamaster Beijing 2008 edition
Until Daan published the introduction story on this new Omega Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026 watch, I was unaware of a similar Seamaster made for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. That watch was a limited edition of 88 pieces for the Games. Inside the Seamaster Beijing 2008 is Omega’s caliber 2403. This caliber is based on the 2500 movement (an ETA 2892-A2 with Co-Axial escapement) but without the date window. The case shows a lot of similarities to the new version in both size and shape. The Seamaster Beijing 2008 didn’t have an enamel dial, though, nor did it have a fully in-house-developed movement.
The new Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina has Omega’s caliber 8807 inside. This movement has all the features you can find in other modern Omega watches, including the Master Chronometer certification. Unfortunately, the movement is not visible to the owner. Instead, you will have an all-gold case back with the Milano Cortina 2026 medallion. This will be a wonderful reminder to those who love the Olympics and may visit the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. It’s a beautiful movement, but you must seek images online if you want to admire it.
The Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina on the wrist
So, this means that the new Seamaster is not entirely new. As I wasn’t aware of the 2008 edition, the Seamaster Milano Cortina was a (pleasant) surprise. And it still is a pleasant watch because after wearing it for a few days, I can say it’s great. The 37mm size is perfect for my >18cm wrists, and the classic-looking case design and dog-leg lugs make it a fantastic vintage-inspired dress watch.
I noticed some comments on the 11.4mm thickness of this watch. Keep in mind, though, that this includes the relatively tall box-shaped crystal, and the case profile itself is much thinner. The thickness didn’t bother me at all, and I prefer the box-shaped crystal over a domed or flat crystal.
A big part of the fun of wearing this watch is the dial. Omega fitted it with a white Grand Feu enamel dial featuring applied, sculptured hour markers and the vintage Omega logo.
On the white enamel dial, the minute markers and “Seamaster” text are gray Petit Feu enamel. The dauphine hands and indexes are 18K yellow gold to match the case. This alloy, which Omega calls Moonshine Gold, is a bit paler yellow (as we explained here), and it suits my skin tone perfectly.
The Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina comes on an alligator leather strap with an 18K yellow gold pin buckle. This 19mm strap is very soft and comfortable on the wrist, and it makes the yellow gold with the white enamel dial look classy. I am not a fan of folding clasps on straps as they quickly become too bulky, but Omega does carry 18K Moonshine Gold ones in the collection.
The Seamaster Milano Cortina makes me smile
All specifications aside, the smile on your face indicates whether you enjoy wearing the watch. The older I get and the longer I collect watches, the less I am concerned about specifications. And I can tell you this much: I enjoyed every minute of wearing this gold Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina. Omega did a nice job of recreating the Seamaster Olympic Games edition from 2008. It is clear the designers at Omega took inspiration from the 1956 edition for that one. Details like the hexagonal crown are all there.
Omega’s decision to use Grand Feu enamel for the dial was good. I love how it makes the gold hour markers and hands pop! Combined with the dog-leg lugs, this watch ticks many boxes for me. I could have lived without the Olympic Games medallion and a clean gold case back or a display back instead, but this is also no dealbreaker for me.
I love my vintage Constellations and Seamaster (Calendar) from the 1950s and 1960s, but I also realize they are relatively small (most of them are around 34mm in diameter). For a vintage watch, that’s perfectly fine, but for daily use, I prefer to wear something larger. This new Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 edition hits the sweet spot with its 37mm diameter. Moreso than my 2015 pie-pan-dial Globemaster in 18K rose gold, this Seamaster Milano Cortina reminds me of the fantastic decades when Omega stole the show. This, combined with the brand’s modern technology (Master Chronometer, Co-Axial, and special alloys), makes it a near-perfect Omega watch for me.
A wrist shot of the Omega 37mm Seamaster Milano Cortina on my >18cm wrist.
Some afterthoughts
Of course, you have also seen the comments on this watch’s price point (€21,400 inc. VAT / US$19,300 ex. sales tax) and the fact that it has an Olympic Games medallion on its case back. During my Paris 2024 visit, I noticed that many guests like to buy a meaningful gift that reminds them of this special occasion. Whether you will buy a pair of Olympic Games-branded socks or a gold watch depends on the size of your wallet.
The Omega BG859 for the Paris 2024 Games had a great reception; quite a few were sold during those Olympic weeks last summer. The same will probably happen with the Seamaster Milano Cortina 2026 edition. Other people simply love the watch and don’t care about the medallion or occasion. I always like to look purely at the watch as such and not think too much about the occasion it celebrates or commemorates. Sometimes, it is nearly impossible to do so, but with this watch, I think it is safe to say it’s beautiful, independent of the association with the 2026 Games in Italy.
Overall, Omega did an excellent job with this (re)creation for next year’s Olympic Games. I like it so much that I wish it could be in the regular or “Heritage/Museum” collection, including a stainless steel version.
You can find more information via Omega online or read our introduction article here.
