Not everyone has had the extremely good fortune to be able to attend the Olympic Games in Sochi, which are due to close this weekend. Luckily for the watch world, however, a fortunate few from the industry were able to go, allowing the rest of us to get a more personal view of the Games from their social media accounts.

Just a few weeks ago, The Prodigal Guide published a post-SIHH report using social media photos. We thought that was a great idea and, in the spirit of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, hope the Prodigal Fool and Straight-Six don’t mind if we emulate it to bring you an inside watch view of the Olympic Games.

Before the Olympic Games in Sochi even began, watch brands were already maximizing association with the event. Main sponsor Omega, as the best example, worked long and hard to make timing of the Games’ events impeccable.

Nowhere was that more obvious than in the brand’s activity hub, which welcomed athletes, journalists and celebrities.

Olympic athlete, star violinist and Omega ambassador Vanessa-Mae (photo courtesy Omega’s Instagram)

Olympic athlete, star violinist and Omega ambassador Vanessa-Mae stopped in to learn about the co-axial escapement within Caliber 8500. instagram.com/omega#

Ulysse Nardin Sochi boutique (photo courtesy Patrik Hoffmann’s personal Facebook)

Another brand with long ties to the Russian watch market is Ulysse Nardin. And this Le Locle-based manufacturer participated in a different way: by opening its third mono-brand store in Russia, a boutique in Sochi. Ulysse Nardin CEO Patrik Hoffmann was at the opening ceremony. www.ulysse-nardin.com

Sochi opening ceremony (photo courtesy Patrik Hoffmann’s personal Facebook)

The official timekeeper provides us with an amazing view of Sochi and its activity hub. Click here for a short video instagram.com/p/kcFsCqwb_Z/#

Aerial overview of Sochi and the Olympic Village taken by Jason Heaton

Freelance journalist Jason Heaton gave us with an aerial overview of Sochi and the Olympic Village as his airplane landed. instagram.com/jasonheaton

Sochi Olympic Torch (photos courtesy Jason Heaton’s Instagram)

… and one from the ground with a view to the magnificent torch. instagram.com/jasonheaton

Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov’s watch photographed by Ben Clymer (photo courtesy Hodinkee’s Instagram)

A real treat was provided by Hodinkee’s Ben Clymer, who photographed this watch right off the wrist of cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, a guest at a dinner Omega staged during the Games. instagram.com/hodinkee

Astronaut Tom Stafford’s Omega Speedmaster Professional and Robert-Jan Broer’s Speedmaster Pro X-33

Astronaut Tom Stafford also attended that dinner, and here is the gold Omega Speedmaster Professional 345.802 powered by Caliber 861L (display back) right off his wrist, next to Robert-Jan Broer’s Speedmaster Pro X-33. “Stafford actually defined the specs for that watch,” Broer wrote in regard to this photo he posted on Instagrm. instagram.com/fratellowatches

Robert-Jan Broer, founder of Fratello Watches, live in Sochi at the 3000m speed skating (photo courtesy Fratello Watches’ Instagram)

Robert-Jan also snapped this incredible wrist shot during the 3000 m speed skating event – an Olympic sport that could almost be termed the Dutch national sport! instagram.com/fratellowatches

The men’s alpine skiing giant slalom podium in Sochi: gold Ted Ligety, silver Steve Missillier, and bronze Alexis Pinturault (photo courtesy Alexis Pinturault’s Instagram)

French skier Alexis Pinturault, a Richard Mille ambassador, won the bronze medal in the giant slalom event finally completed on February 19 after fog had beleaguered the slopes. Congratulations to this up-and-coming athlete. instagram.com/alexispinturault

The Omega Sochi Petrograd (photo courtesy Omega’s Instagram)

Omega’s special edition Sochi Petrograd timepiece commemorates the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and their host country. instagram.com/omega#

Quill & Pad would like to thank Omega, Hodinkee.com, Fratellowatches.com, Jason Heaton, Alexis Pinturault, and Ulysse Nardin for providing Olympic week entertainment to the watch world and allowing us to utilize these photographs. We also thank The Prodigal Guide for the inspiration.