
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Vertex MP45 Arctic, Jamaican Bobsled Team Issued 2022 Winter Olympics, 2022
- Maker / attribution
- Vertex (maker)
- Date
- 2022
- Historical period
- Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- vws3476
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws3476)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Vertex - MP45 Arctic - Unworn 2022 - Jamaican Bobsled Team Issued 2022 Winter Olympics (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws3476), this is a wristwatch by Vertex, dated 2022. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
One of Four, Vertex MP45 Arctic Made for and Presented to the Jamaican Bobsled Team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics It's been 34 years since the Jamaican Bobsled team made its unforgettable Olympic debut, capturing the world's heart with their underdog story and inspiring the beloved film "Cool Runnings." Despite some success in the following years, including a surprising 14th-place finish at the 1994 Games, they hadn't qualified a four-man team since 1998. That all changed in 2022 when a new Jamaican squad took to the track at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Captained by Shanwayne Stephens, with Rolando Reid, Ashley Watson, and Matthew Wekpe, the team has embraced the spotlight and deeply appreciates their global support. In celebration of the team's comeback, the watch brand Vertex, in collaboration with Zulu Alpha Straps, created four specially made MP45 Arctics featuring unique Jamaican-themed NATO-style straps. Each member of the team was gifted one of these exclusive timepieces. As well as these, Vertex also created a render, 1 of 1 dial featuring the "lucky egg" a reference from the film Cool Runnings, we believe Vertex Held onto this watch/dial. What's on Offer We are very pleased to say that we have available for sale one of the four Vertex Arctic MP45 watches given to the Jamaican Bobsled team of the 2022 Winter Olympics. The watch we have here for sale was presented to Matthew Wekpe and we purchased this watch from him to help on his journey to the next Winter Olympics. The watch is in brand new unworn condition and has been kept very well by its previous owner Mathew Wekpe. The watch takes the familiar shape of the original Lemania single pusher asymmetric case with a stepped bezel and two sub-counters at 3 and 9 o'clock. The stark white dial boasts large black numerals and syringe hands with super luminova. A nice touch is the display caseback which allows you to view the Selita SW510 MP automatic movement. With its provenance, we believe this is a unique piece and a very cool part of sporting history. Images include -Don Cochrane Director of Vertex Watches pictured with Mathew Wekpe Jamaican Bobsled Team Member when the four watches were presented to the team!
Historical context
Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)
Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.
Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Mechanical Renaissance
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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