Milan, Italy – George and Amal Clooney drew considerable attention this weekend with their appearance at the opening gala for the Omega House, a hospitality venue established by the Swiss watchmaker during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The event marked the official launch of Omega’s presence at the Games, where it continues its longstanding role as the official timekeeper – a position held for the past 94 years.
Clooney, a brand ambassador for Omega since 2007, spoke Saturday at the Omega House about his connection to the company. “I am so proud to represent Omega,” he said, adding, “It’s not something I take lightly, and I only have a couple of these partnerships. To be involved with the company for such a long period of time, it’s an honor for me.” The actor recounted a personal story about his father discovering an old Omega watch in their attic and gifting it to him, noting that it “worked perfectly and it was so beautiful,” establishing a family tradition.
Beyond his role as a brand representative, Clooney’s enthusiasm for sports was also on display. While acknowledging winter sports weren’t his forte, he expressed admiration for the athletes. “It’s always fun to watch any of the downhill racing,” he said. “Watching those athletes go down at that rate of speed is just insanity.” He also reflected on the inherent risk in sports like ice skating, stating, “You’re watching people risk everything they’ve been training for their whole lives.”
Clooney’s passion for sports extends to filmmaking; he directed the 2023 film, The Boys in the Boat, which chronicles the U.S. Rowing team’s gold medal win at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. He explained the enduring appeal of sports movies, stating, “The interesting thing about sports films is that we know how it ends before it starts…But what’s so compelling is that you’re still willing to take that journey, because you seek the ride.” He noted Omega’s historical connection to the 1936 Olympics, where its stopwatches were used to time events, including the rowing competition.
The Omega House, located in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II at Ristorante Cracco, represents a significant expansion of the brand’s Olympic involvement, marking the first time Omega has established such a venue at a Winter Games. At Saturday’s opening gala, Clooney was seen wearing the recent Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, a design inspired by the watch worn by astronauts on the moon. Korean actor Park Bo-Gum, also an Omega ambassador, attended the event, sporting the new Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m.
Clooney discussed his preferences within the Omega line, expressing a fondness for the Speedmaster. “I like the Speedmaster; it’s just such a classic,” he said, also mentioning the Dark Side of the Moon model. He also highlighted his appreciation for the new Aqua Terra in turquoise, noting a current trend toward green and terracotta dials. “I really like the watches in steel,” he added, “I have a platinum wedding ring, so steel kind of looks better. I think they’re just elegant.”