Football and Watches
Thursday - 12 June 2014
The World Cup is finally here! As fans across the globe prepare for the football-filled weeks ahead, we've been looking at the relationship between football and watch brands. How will you be timing the games this summer?
At Baselworld 2014 Tissot launched a new watch designed specifically to time football matches. Inviting football fans to fulfil the role of official timekeeper at their own games, the Tissot Quickster Football has a football timekeeping function that displays the first or second half, stoppage time and extra time at the push of a button. Powered by a quartz chronograph movement, the watch is available in a range of vibrant colours inspired by football shirts from around the world. It has a 42 mm stainless steel case, with some models featuring a black PVD coating, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The case back is engraved with a football.
Accurate timing obviously has an important place in the game, but it is often it is the style and passion of the players that inspires a successful partnership with a watch brand. Earlier this year Maurice Lacroix became Official Watch Partner of Barcelona FC in a deal based on their shared values of "style, substance and a relentless passion for progress", and it was David Beckham's reputation as "one of the world's most successful sportsmen and style icons" that made him the perfect ambassador for Breitling watches.
Here are three watch brands and the top players they will be supporting this summer...
TAG Heuer and Ronaldo
TAG Heuer named Cristiano Ronaldo as an ambassador a few months ahead of the World Cup, and the Portugal team captain speaks highly of the brand. "TAG Heuer is by far the best at what it does and has been for more than 150 years," Ronaldo said. "No other luxury brand has such strong ties to the highest levels of sports. It is incredibly glamorous yet also so unconventional, and we share exactly the same determination: to totally change the game, push the limits and make our own rules. It is a great honour to be a part of such a powerful and pioneering legacy."
Ronaldo wears a TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 36 Flyback Automatic Chronograph. The watch has an 43 mm fine-brushed and polished steel case and a scratch-resistant curved sapphire crystal. The flyback function starts, stops and resets the chronograph function with a single touch of a button.
Rotary and Lampard
England midfielder Frank Lampard partnered with Rotary after the watch brand became Global Official Timekeeper of his club, Chelsea FC. Lampard, who has played for England more than 100 times, wears a special edition Rotary watch created exclusively to celebrate the partnership.
"Frank is without doubt a world-class footballer and incredible team player not only for Chelsea FC but also on the world stage playing for England," said Rotary Chief Executive Victoria Campbell.
Jorg Gray and Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey has been a Jorg Gray brand ambassador since 2012 and is captain of the USA World Cup team. "Soccer is about passion, heart and being true to what you stand for," Dempsey said of their shared ideals. "Jorg Gray has grown their incredible brand of watches with a passion for the craft and a strong belief in no compromises."
A limited edition Jorg Gray watch was designed in collaboration with Dempsey, featuring his signature and nickname 'Deuce' on the dial. The Jorg Gray Clint Dempsey Limited Edition Game Timer has an embossed football on the case back and is a limited edition of 1,000 pieces.
