From Jessica Pegula's $99,000 De Bethune to Iga Swiatek's $30,000 Rolex: 5 most unique watches at US Open 2024
Tennis players have created fashion statements for decades. From wearing distinct outfits in matches to personalized designer watches, tennis players have achieved celebrity status and partnered with various big brands.
Similarly, for watch-making companies/brands, it would be a huge opportunity for them to increase their global reach and valuation by signing up with a famous tennis player and getting the attention of tennis fans. The most famous name at the tip of everyone's fingers remains Rolex, the official timekeeper at all the Grand Slams - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Tennis legends like Roger Federer have also represented Rolex, highlighting the prevalence of the brand in the sport.
Tag Heuer has also been a famous sponsor, with players like Naomi Osaka and Denis Shapovalov as their ambassadors. Hublot is another big name that has partnered with Daniil Medvedev and Simona Halep. Serena Williams also had a years-long relationship with Audemars Piguet.
This year's US Open has also had occasions where players wore unique watches which turned many heads. Delving deeper into the five most luxurious designs and their worth, let's explore their significance.
5) Andrey Rublev in Bulgari - $27,400
Andrey Rublev has been captured wearing some of the most classy watches by the Italian brand Bulgari since he became their first tennis ambassador in 2021. He also launched their Match Point Edition model, the brand's tribute to tennis.
The sixth seed at Flushing Meadows was wearing the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton Ceramic, which has a retail price of around $27,400. It has a sandblasted titanium case, skeleton-like dials that inspire its name, and a black rubber band material. The watch is made in Switzerland and is water resistant up to 30 meters. It has an octagonal case and showcases innovative aesthetics, thinness, and design complexity, making it eye-catching.
4) Grigor Dimitrov in Bianchet - $76,000
Number four on the list is Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov, who was captured wearing the gorgeous Bianchet Flying Tourbillon Grande Date, which costs around $76,000. The watch has a green rubber strap and a blend of high-tech materials alongside the latest micro-mechanics and looks aesthetically pleasing. It also has a water resistance of over 100 meters. Dimitrov was last seen wearing the watch during Wimbledon and when he lifted the ATP title at the Brisbane International earlier this year.
Dimitrov became the global ambassador for the brand in 2023 and is famous in the tennis world for his taste in jewelry, art, sports cars, fabrics, and watches. He is often seen wearing his favorite watches on the court, and another one of his Bianchet collection is the Tourbillon B1.618 Openwork Carbon.
3) Jessica Pegula in De Bethune - $99,000
Jessica Pegula, the third seed at the US Open, will take on World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the Major. She was captured wearing the De Bethune DB28xs Purple Rain watch, valued at around $99,000.
It has an 'extra supple alligator leather' strap. The luxury watch also boasts a 'random guilloche' dial, which has been called a groundbreaking feature by the brand.
Tommy Paul is another notable tennis player who has partnered with De Bethune, highlighting their growing significance amongst tennis icons.
2) Iga Swiatek in Rolex - $30,000
Second on the list is World No.1 Iga Swiatek, who wore the Rolex Lady-Datejust at this year's US Open. She also wore it while lifting the French Open trophy earlier this year, showing fans its 18 ct Everose gold, a diamond-set dial, and a President bracelet.
A unique feature of this watch is that its craftsmanship allows light to diffuse consistently along each engraving depending on the position of the wrist. It is valued at around $30,000 and has the Rolex bezel as its mark of difference.
1) Jannik Sinner in Rolex- $16,150
Last on the list is ATP World No.1 Jannik Sinner sporting a Rolex, carrying forward the legacy of the iconic brand partnering with tennis' most prominent names. The Italian has been captured wearing the gorgeous Rolex Submariner Date valued at around $16,150. Sinner was also seen wearing the watch during this year's Roland Garros.
The Submariner immediately stands out from other watches with its Oystersteel, yellow gold Cerachrom bezel in blue ceramic, and a royal blue dial with Rolex's trademark luminescent hour markers. This watch has the highest water resistance in the list at 300 meters.