Gold Standard: How Jewellers Celebrated the Paris 2024 Olympics

After a three-year hiatus, unusually, the Olympic Games returned bigger and better than ever. Hosted in Paris, the City of Light, the games marked a century since Paris last welcomed the world’s athletes in 1924. Perfecting any art form requires discipline, determination, and precision, qualities that are equally essential in both sports and the creation of fine jewellery and watchmaking. Let’s dive in and see how master craftsmen celebrated the Olympics this year…

From Chaumet’s intricately designed medals using pieces of the Eiffel Tower and Omega’s immersive timekeeping experience at its new members’ club to Mappin & Webb’s exclusive jewellery collections for Team GB, the luxury world is alive with Olympic spirit.

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Chaumet’s Olympic Medals

The Paris-based jeweller Chaumet, one of France’s oldest and most prestigious maisons, has its fabled headquarters at 12 Place Vendôme. Known for creating state jewels for Napoleon, Chaumet has infused this year’s Olympic medals with both historical and contemporary significance. The design incorporates Chaumet’s signature sunburst motif, symbolising the athlete’s shining achievement. Plus, each gold, silver and bronze token incorporates a hexagonal piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower, with the reverse side featuring the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, the Olympic rings, and the Eiffel Tower.

Omega’s Moment in Time

Omega’s legacy as the Olympic Games’ timekeeping expert kicked off in 1932, making it the first watch company selected as the Official Timekeeper for every event. For Paris 2024, Omega upped the ante with three new timepieces that are as stylish as they are functional. First on the podium is the Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 special edition. This watch is crafted from 18k gold and stainless steel, featuring a laser-engraved white ceramic dial and a commemorative case back with the Paris 2024 emblem. It’s perfect for those who want to dive deep into the Olympic spirit—literally and figuratively. Next up, we have the Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024, a watch with a silvery white opaline dial with dark grey timing scales and 18k gold detailing. 

Last but certainly not least is the Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition. Paying tribute to the traditional Olympic medals, this 39mm timepiece features a case crafted from Omega’s exclusive ‘Bronze Gold’, a radiant sterling silver dial, and 18k gold hands. The vintage-inspired design includes the ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern, a nod to French craftsmanship. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or just someone who appreciates a good watch, these timepieces are sure to make you feel like you’ve won gold.

Mappin & Webb’s Olympic Spirit

English brand Mappin & Webb teamed up with the Olympics as the official jeweller for Team GB, celebrating the Olympic spirit and the achievements of athletes with an exclusive jewellery collection. This collaboration includes two distinct capsules: one available to fans and another exclusive to current Team GB athletes and former Olympians. The idea for this collaboration stemmed from Mappin & Webb’s long history of creating silverware for sports competitions, including trophies like the Ryder Cup and the English Football League Cup. 

For the athletes, Mappin & Webb offered a selection of necklaces, earrings, rings, and even shoelace clips featuring the iconic Olympic rings and lion head symbols in rose and yellow gold, as well as sterling silver. For supporters, the brand provided a similar range showcasing the Team GB pride lion symbol on keyrings, pendants, cufflinks, brooches, necklaces, and shoelace clips. This collection offered both athletes and fans stylish options to proudly support Team GB from head to toe.

Annoushka’s Triple Threat

British brand Annoushka launched a new tricolour version of its iconic Knuckle ring to celebrate the Paris 2024 Olympics. This elegant piece features interconnected bands of 14k yellow, white, and rose gold, all joined by pave diamond joints. The design allows for the ring to be worn as a stack, spread across multiple fingers, or connected with other chains in the Knuckle collection, offering multiple styling possibilities. Inspired by the different-coloured medals that Olympians strive to win, this ring is a great reminder that first, second and third place are world-class achievements!

Djula’s Magic Touch

To celebrate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, French jeweller Djula has launched a special capsule collection called Magic Touch aiming to capture the essence of its hometown. The brand was launched in 1994 in Paris and since then, it has been recognised for its avant-garde approach, mixing traditional romance and rebellious designs in its jewellery. This year, the brand draws inspiration from one of Paris’s most iconic symbols, the Eiffel Tower. 

Drawing inspiration from classic French motifs and traditional talisman charms, Djula’s Magic Touch collection includes iconic symbols such as the Eiffel Tower, moon, cross, and eye, as well as traditional pear-shaped designs on a narrow white, yellow and rose gold chain adorned with pavé-set diamonds. For those searching for a more discrete and daintier-looking necklace, bracelet, earrings, or ring to mark the occasion, DJULA has got you covered.

Venyx Charms the City of Light

Venyx has introduced a charming new collection inspired by Creative Director Eugenie Niarchos’ extensive travels and love for Paris. The range features standout French motifs such as a miniature red wine glass, a classic Metro sign, a traditional French cockade, a champagne bottle, and an artist’s palette. Each piece is meticulously crafted from 18k gold with intricate enamel detailing, capturing the true essence of Paris. My favourite charms have got to be the tiny gold croissant set with white diamond ‘sugar’ and the artists palette with a white gold paintbrush in garnet, peridot, citrine and sapphire. For those looking for something less specific, you can choose from 15 different enamel-coloured country flags. 

The 2024 Paris Olympics has set a new gold standard, not just in sports, but in our ability to come together and express ourselves through all artforms. From intricate medals and commemorative watches to charming jewellery collections, this year’s Olympics has created lasting memories for us all.