Adventure holidays have proved to be enduringly popular in recent years. The temporary restriction on international travel at the beginning of the decade inspired many people to bring forward major bucket list plans such as iconic hikes, while the need to steer clear of crowds saw an increase in visits to off-the-beaten-track locations. Adventure featured heavily in predicted travel trends for 2023 too, including remote backpacking, activities outside of the comfort zone, and wilderness retreats.
Preparation is key for any adventure holiday. Often training is required, and efforts to increase your fitness will go a long way towards improving your overall experience. You will also have to plan your packing list carefully, including any specialist equipment you need and bearing in mind how your bags will be transported throughout the journey.
You might be surprised to learn that precious possessions like your watch could be the perfect companion for your trip. For example, many OMEGA watches are designed with adventure in mind, built to provide perfect time-keeping in the most testing environments. Discover how OMEGA watches were trusted for some of most significant adventure travel experiences of the last century.
NASA’s first journey to the moon
In the decade ahead of the 1969 moon landing, the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional was certified by NASA for all manned space missions. This watch was an essential piece of kit for each astronaut and became known as ‘the Moonwatch’ after the successful Apollo 11 moon landing on 21st July.
Due to its exceptional reliability, this particular Speedmaster model remains the only watch certified by international space agencies for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) – any activity conducted outside of the spacecraft by an astronaut while in outer space.
Jacques Mayol’s record-breaking freediving
Freediving is the practice of underwater diving where the individual must hold their breath until they resurface rather than relying on scuba equipment. In the last century, scientific experimentation and technological advancements have seen freediving become an extreme sport conducted in coastal locations around the world.
In 1981, Jacques Mayol broke records by achieving a depth of 101 metres on a single breath of air. His OMEGA Seamaster watch provided perfect function and visibility during the experience due to its water resistance and luminescent watch face. OMEGA Seamaster watches now include an ‘Ultra Deep’ range that are designed to withstand enormous pressures, perfect for intrepid ocean divers.
Reinhold Messner’s Antarctic crossing
In addition to missions above and below the earth, OMEGA has also proved that its watches can survive extreme conditions at ground level. Most staggering was the performance during Reinhold Messner’s Antarctic crossing, a 1,700-mile trek that took three months to complete. During this journey, the OMEGA Speedmaster endured temperatures of -40°C and winds of over 90 miles per hour. Despite this testing environment, Messner successfully used his OMEGA watch to navigate himself to the south pole, arriving on 30th December 1989.
