Rolex first became involved with The Championships: Wimbledon in 1978.
It’s been a tough two weeks in England, where the 133rd edition of Wimbledon and Grand Slam tennis have been taking place. Not only did the world witness about a million dollars worth of watches on the courts and off, but also they witnessed some of the strongest matches ever. With many top players competing for the title for Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles — we were bound to see a host of those who double as watch brand ambassadors sporting their watches on the court (as in Rafael Nadal) and off the court after play. They didn’t disappoint. However, easily one of the most incredible feats on the courts was how Seiko beat out Rolex for the top spot.
During the awards, Djokovic donned the Seiko Astron GPS Solar SSH003.
Tennis great and Seiko brand ambassador Novak Djokovic spent nearly five hours competing for his top spot — the Grand Slam win — against famed Roger Federer, a Rolex brand ambassador. Federer is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and has been seen wearing a host of Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches. Djokovic, on the other hand has his own eponymous watch: the Seiko Astron Executive Sport Novak Djokovic GPS S solar-powered watch. It even has his signature on the case back. So, after five hours of a Seiko brand ambassador battling a Rolex brand ambassador — Seiko’s ambassador beat out Rolex’s.
Simona Halep is a Hublot friend of the brand.
In the Women’s Singles, it was a battle between Hublot and Audemars Piguet — with Hublot coming out on top. Grand Slam winner Simona Halep is a Hublot brand ambassador, while Serena Williams — whom she battled it out with — is an Audemars Piguet brand ambassador.
It should also be noted that Rolex is the Official Timekeeper of The Championships, Wimbledon — as it has been for more than 40 years — and so its presence on the courts far outshined any other watch brand. It should also be noted that none of the above-named tennis legends wear their watches during play. The only players who wear their timepieces on the courts are Richard Mille brand ambassadors such as Rafael Nadal who wears a $725,000 RM 27-03 watch on the courts, and Alexander Zverev, who wears the $132,000 RM 67-02 in Carbon TPT(R) during play.
Richard Mille is the only brand actually worn on the courts by Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev.
