Skip to main content

Olympic Gold Medalist Caeleb Dressel Is Learning To Take His Time

Caeleb Dressel posing with a watch inside an OMEGA store
Omega

The peak of a swimming career is the Olympics, and few have done the Olympics better than Caeleb Dressel. One of the true breakout stars of the Tokyo Games, the 24-year-old Floridian’s success can be measured in both weight (five gold medals, to be exact) and time, including world records in the 100-meter fly and 4-by-100-meter medley relay and a .48-second winning margin in the 50-meter freestyle final, which is the largest for the event in Olympic history. But despite his intimate relationship with the clock, he tells The Manual he was never much of a watch person until luxury timepiece-maker Omega approached him regarding a partnership.

Recommended Videos

“I was blown away at the different styles, and the fact there is something that fits everyone’s different personality,” Dressel tells The Manual. “When I picked up my watch in Hawaii, I found the perfect fit for me. I know that Omega timepiece quality is at another standard.”

Related Guides

Omega watches, which have been made in Switzerland since 1848, are a perfect partner for Dressel. They, like him, are available covered in gold, and they have both speed and aquatic specialties. The company’s Speedmaster line, which comes from a racing pedigree, has a razor-sharp chronograph befitting a man whose sport is measured in hundredths of a second. (There’s also the fact that it was the make of choice for Buzz Aldrin as he walked on the moon, which is a kind of other-world record.) But then there’s the Seamaster line, a dive-centric collection which is rated to 500 feet under water.

So which does an amphibious Olympic champ with a need for speed choose? Well, a little of both.

“Right now, I’m wearing a Seamaster Diver 300M in gold and stainless steel,” Dressel says. Yeah, he knows all about its oceanic lineage (Omega has long sponsored sailing crews and races, and it’s the official timekeeper of the 2021 America’s Cup yacht race). But it’s the blending of both racing and dive lines that ultimately led to his selection: “It’s also a chronograph, so the design is all about precision timing,” he continues. “It’s everything I’d want in a watch.”

Caeleb Dressel of Team United States competes in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images

While Dressel isn’t hanging up his goggles yet — at the time of our conversation, he was already looking toward the International Swimming League’s third season, which takes place at Piscina Felice Scandone in Naples, Italy, from August 26 to September 30 — with the close of a near-perfect Olympics, including becoming the first man to win the fabled “Sprint Triple Crown” of 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle, and 100-meter fly, there’s a lot for which to be grateful. So we ask: To whom and with what would he offer his thanks for the support over his years of training?

It’s an easy answer: his wife, Meghan. And as far as watches? “You can’t go wrong with a Speedmaster Moonwatch,” he says. “It was the first watch ever worn on the moon, so in terms of marking a momentous occasion, it’s a pretty good one. It’s also a timeless design, so you can wear it forever. It’s just as good-looking as it was in 1969.”

But more than gifts and, yes, even the water, the first thing on Dressel’s mind is to return home to Florida and to spend the quality time with his wife that’s been in short supply over the past year-plus of focus on the Olympics. Even now, he remembers the raw emotion coursing through him as he watched her reaction after his 100-meter freestyle gold. “Meghan is a huge part of my success and her support really gives me strength in competition,” he says. “I’m looking forward to some time together, just the two of us, when we can finally enjoy our postponed honeymoon and talk about something other than swimming.”

There are mistakes he made, including, strangely enough, during his world-record 100-meter fly race. “The turn and finish [were] pretty bad,” he says. And the U.S.’s disastrous strategy in the 4-by-100-meter mixed medley relay, in which a slow third leg saw him diving in eight seconds behind the leader — an insurmountable gap, even for him, which ultimately ended his bid to join the rarified air of Michael Phelps, Mark Spitz, and Kristin Otto in winning six golds in a single Olympics  — elicited his rare public criticism of U.S. coaches in the press. But Dressel looks back on his Olympic experience like facets on a diamond, with individual moments sparkling with light. Some of the brightest, he says, happened far from the pool, including the American pre-camp, and while he offers precious few details, he says it was where a country’s swimmers transitioned from individuals to bind together as a team.

Gold medalist Caeleb Dressel of Team United States poses with the gold medal for the Men's 100m Butterfly Final at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 31, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images

But overall, Dressel doesn’t describe the nine days of competition as anything more than torture, albeit a torture he was ready to endure. “It [was] a week of hell,” he says. “You don’t sleep or eat right. You need to somehow stay in the moment, but also relieve some of that pressure. Physically, you just stay calm and trust your body.”

At home, the relief, the accomplishment sinks in. The pressure, as present as a phantom limb, recedes, and the scope of his accomplishments becomes more real. “Sprint races are over so quickly, so every little detail and movement matters. I felt like 24 years of my life was coming down to those few moments, so it was a big emotional release at the end,” he says. “Most of all, it feels like all the hard work and sacrifice was worth it.”

Famous for keeping a journal of his Tokyo experience, Dressel’s equally famous for saying that he has one entry left, after he’s had time to reflect. “Journaling [was] a way for me to reflect on my performance, to praise myself for the good, to reflect on ways to get better, and, then, to close the chapter and move on to the next thing.”

When the time comes, he’ll be ready, but for now, he waits. His biggest lesson from Tokyo? “I learned to take it one race at a time.”

Jon Gugala
Features Writer
Jon Gugala is a freelance writer and photographer based in Nashville, Tenn. A former gear editor for Outside Magazine, his…
Topics
Urban Jürgensen revival captures watch world attention with modern approach
Danish legacy reborn: Urban jürgensen's 250-year heritage meets contemporary luxury under new ownership
Urban Jürgensen revival

Urban Jürgensen became 2025’s most discussed watch revival. A 250-year-old Danish horological legacy was transformed into a contemporary luxury brand through family ownership and the technical leadership of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The brand’s Los Angeles launch event was the year’s most talked-about watch presentation.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1773, Urban Jürgensen produced over 700 timepieces in the early 1800s and developed technical innovations such as ultra-precise marine chronometers. Despite several ownership changes and near disappearance over two centuries, passionate collectors preserved the brand’s reputation among watch experts.
“The biggest, most respected collectors own Urban Jürgensen watches—this brand, this name, is simply the highest level,” said watch writer Thomas Brechtel, highlighting the devoted following among serious enthusiasts, even though the brand remains little known to the general public.
The Rosenfield family acquired Urban Jürgensen in 2021, bringing a collector’s passion to the brand’s stewardship. Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield’s father had collected Urban Jürgensen pieces since the 1990s, which led to an unexpected opportunity to acquire the company when it needed investment to restart.
Kari Voutilainen, widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed independent watchmakers, leads technical development, while his 25-year-old daughter Venla serves as COO. This partnership brings authentic watchmaking credibility while modernizing the brand’s communication to appeal to younger audiences.
The launch collection includes three models showcasing Voutilainen’s craftsmanship: the UJ-1 250th Anniversary Tourbillon limited to 75 pieces (CHF 368,000), the UJ-2 three-hand watch (CHF 105,000), and the UJ-3 perpetual calendar with moonphase (CHF 168,000). Each features clean Scandinavian dial aesthetics, fine guilloché, and hand-applied numerals.
“The image contrasts modern, playful marketing with serious, traditional watchmaking—but it works because it is grounded in artisanal quality,” observed JX Su, founder of SJX Watches.
Rosenfield’s approach emphasizes accessibility rather than exclusivity, targeting a diverse audience including women and younger collectors, not just established enthusiasts. Ellen von Unwerth’s “Time Well-Spent” campaign, featuring people aged 19 to 82, reflects this inclusive vision.
This revival shows how historic watch brands can succeed today by combining genuine craftsmanship with contemporary communication strategies.

Read more
TAG Heuer returns to Goodwood Festival of Speed as official timing partner
Motorsport homecoming: TAG Heuer's goodwood festival partnership honors racing legacy
Tag Heuer at goodwood

TAG Heuer comes back to the Goodwood Festival of Speed as its official timing partner. This marks a major return for the Swiss brand, which has a deep connection to motorsport. The partnership aligns with the festival’s 2025 theme, “The Winning Formula – Champions in addition to Challengers,” recognizing Formula 1’s 75th anniversary. TAG Heuer has also recently resumed its role as Formula 1’s official timekeeper.
The Duke of Richmond started the festival in 1993. It centers around a 1.86-kilometer hillclimb course, where Max Chilton set the current record of 39.08 seconds in the McMurtry Spéirling. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees, with millions more following through live streams, making it a central stage for car culture.
TAG Heuer’s motorsport history spans over a century, beginning with the first dashboard-mounted chronograph in 1911. The brand later introduced the first 1/100th second chronograph in 1916 and the first automatic chronograph for sale in 1969. Its partnerships include Formula 1, Porsche, Oracle Red Bull Racing, the Indianapolis 500, and the Automobile Club de Monaco.
“Motorsport is not just about competition, it is a cultural force, like TAG Heuer,” said Antoine Pin, TAG Heuer CEO. “We are honored to return as Timing Partner at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
To mark the occasion, TAG Heuer created the limited edition Carrera Chronograph x Festival of Speed. This watch features a British racing green dial inspired by Goodwood Green, a subtle hobnail pattern, and red accents. The 42mm case houses the in-house TH20-00 movement and comes with a brown leather rally strap reminiscent of 1970s motor racing.
Only 100 pieces of this special edition exist. Goodwood Road Racing Club members will have the first opportunity to purchase it before it becomes available to the general public. The design celebrates British car culture and showcases TAG Heuer’s expertise in chronographs.
The Duke of Richmond highlighted TAG Heuer’s significance in motorsport, noting its honored history and collaborations with some of the sport’s greatest drivers and teams.
This timing partnership reinforces TAG Heuer’s leadership in motorsport and offers a new platform to celebrate car culture through precise timekeeping and commemorative watchmaking.

Read more
Longines introduces bright white dial to Legend Diver collection
Classic evolution: Longines legend diver's white dial honors 66-year diving heritage
Longines legend diver white dial

Longines introduces a striking matte white dial to its popular Legend Diver collection, marking a notable departure from the traditional black face while retaining the design that has defined the model for sixty-six years. This new variant joins a lineup of dial colors in the well-liked 39mm case size.
The Legend Diver’s history dates back to Longines’ first dive watch from 1959, which featured a super compressor case. This design used gaskets that became more watertight as depth increased, allowing the original to reach about 400 feet. The watch also included a unique 60-minute internal rotating bezel, operated by a second crown to prevent accidental adjustments during dives.
This heritage remains strong in today’s models. The new white dial version preserves the vintage-inspired look and function, while offering a fresh, eye-catching appearance.
The 39mm stainless steel case remains compact, measuring just 12.7mm thick—smaller than most modern dive watches, making it comfortable for a variety of wrist sizes and occasions. Water resistance has been upgraded from the original’s 400 feet to 1,000 feet, meeting contemporary professional diving standards and reinforcing its status as a true tool watch.
The dial is monochromatic, with raised hour markers and hands filled with green luminescent material and outlined in black for excellent readability in all lighting conditions—an essential feature for underwater timekeeping.
Inside, the watch is powered by the ETA-based Longines L888.6 automatic movement, which provides reliable three-hand timekeeping, a silicon balance spring, and a 72-hour power reserve. This modern movement delivers current performance while maintaining the simplicity that defines the Legend Diver.
The bracelet features polished “beads of rice” links down the center for both visual appeal and comfort. Additional strap options include new blue or black rubber bands, allowing for versatility from professional diving to everyday wear.
With the addition of the white dial, the Legend Diver collection now offers blue, black, brown, grey, and green dials—all in the popular 39mm size. This expanded range demonstrates how classic designs can remain relevant and desirable through thoughtful updates rather than drastic changes.

Read more