These days, Wimbledon is as much a pilgrimage for watch aficionados as it is tennis fans. While the action is spectacular as the nation gets swept up in Arthur Fery fever and Novak Djokovic attempts to make one last stand, off the court, it has been a parade of spectacular watches.
The first week was ruled by the Beckham family but as the action hots up, so does the A-list watch game, particularly over the weekend, which was awash with sporting legends, Hollywood stars and just about everybody else in between, all of whom came out in their finest to basque in the history and glory of Centre Court.
With Wimbledon approaching its climax, we have rounded up some of the best watches from the last few days of the tournament.
Roger Federer – Rolex Datejust II
The tennis icon has been an ambassador for Rolex for a staggering 25 years and as such, has a watch game almost as good as his forehand. Visiting Centre Court to watch Grigor Dmitrov take on Arthur Fery, Federer was swamped by the fans and media while wearing a particularly coveted Datejust II, a sportier version of the classic model that was only manufactured for around seven years. It’s a watch he also wore during his 2009 Wimbledon triumph over Andy Roddick, giving it an enormous amount of sentimental and historical value.
Andrew Garfield – IWC Ingenieur Automatic
Sporting a particularly shaggy hair-do that was so wild it was probably against Wimbledon’s famously strict dress code, the former Spider-Man actor was similarly out there with his watch selection. Garfield appears to be wearing a currently unreleased version of the IWC Ingenieur Automatic, which is rumoured to be formally announced in the near future, replicating a marketing strategy Omega employed with Daniel Craig and Tudor with David Beckham.
Usain Bolt – Hublot Big Bang Reloaded Usain Bolt Ceramic Carbon 44m
Hublot have collaborated with the fastest man in history to commemorate 10 years since the Jamaican sprinter won three gold medals at the Rio Olympics. Coming in at a whopping 44mm, the watch is engraved with Bolt’s motto: “Anything is Possible, Don’t Think Limits.”, though not on the caseback or strap but on the bezel itself. Other personal touches include the hour hand being shaped like a lightning bolt and the unconventional hour design displays Bolt’s record 100m record of 9.58 seconds.
James Norton – Breitling Top Time B31
Norton may have aged out of the running to be the next James Bond but the House of Guinness actor looked every bit the super spy when he popped by Centre Court in a dapper grey suit and a new Breitling Top Time B31, an updated version of the watch Sean Connery wore in Thunderball. Smaller than previous issues of the Top Time, making it more akin to a dress watch aka suitable for days out at Wimbledon with strawberries and some Pimm’s.
Gareth Bale – Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman”
While there may be a World Cup going on, Gareth Bale opted for the grass and glamour of Centre Court over a trip to the USA to watch some football. The former Real Madrid winger went for a GMT-Master II that has become known as the “Batman” for its blue and black colourway on the bezel (some of us think black and yellow would be more apt for a Batman watch). One of the cheaper Rolex’s as it retails for less than £10,000 but a reliable staple of any aficionado’s rotation.
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