It’s the time of year again as the crowds head to the hallowed turf of the AELTC, otherwise known as Wimbledon. It is not only a prestigious tennis tournament but also a significant event in the social calendar, attracting a diverse array of celebrities from various fields. It’s common to see famous personalities from sports, music, cinema, as well as royalty attending matches and enjoying the atmosphere at the All England Club.
For watch enthusiasts and fashion aficionados, Wimbledon also provides a unique opportunity to spot celebrities sporting luxury watches, often from renowned brands like Rolex, Omega, IWC, and others. These timepieces can be seen both on and off the court, adding another layer of glamour and style to the event.
Beyond the tennis action, Wimbledon’s celebrity attendance and the accompanying fashion and watch spotting have become integral parts of the tournament’s allure and cultural significance for many years. Let’s take a look at some of the timepieces that have caught the attention of watch enthusiasts.
You can’t mention Wimbledon without Rolex – the two go hand in hand. Rolex became a partner with The Championships in 1978, marking the beginning of a significant relationship between the brand and tennis.
This partnership coincided with a period of great change in the sport, with players and the game itself gaining more prominence and global appeal. The Swiss brands association with Wimbledon has continued to strengthen, and is now an integral part of the tournament’s identity, highlighting its long-standing commitment to excellence and tradition in tennis.
As well as being the official timekeeper, the brand is often adorning many of the players wrists after the game. Perhaps the most famous ambassador for Rolex is Roger Federer. He has now handed the racket to new kid on the block, and last years winner, Carlos Alcaraz.
The newly crowned champ was seen sporting a Rolex Daytona in yellow gold with a meteorite dial on an Oysterflex bracelet. The watch was introduced in 2021 but was discontinued a couple of years later in 2023 making it a holy grail timepiece for watch fans.
Browse our collection of Rolex Daytona watches here.
Roger Federer and Rolex share a partnership that highlights excellence and elegance. Federer, one of the greatest tennis players ever, mirrors the precision and grace that Rolex watches are known for. Since their collaboration began in 2006, Federer has worn iconic Rolex models like the Datejust and Sky-Dweller, which match his refined style. This partnership is more than just sponsorship; it symbolises the meeting of two legends, each inspiring the other to maintain their legacy of top performance and quality.
Click here to read our article on Federer and Rolex.
After securing 20 Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic partnered with the watchmaking company, Hublot.
This collaboration proved to be a perfect match, blending Djokovic's legendary tennis career with Hublot's reputation for innovative and luxurious timepieces. As Hublot's ambassador, Djokovic embodies dedication to excellence, precision, and style - qualities that are synonymous with Hublot watches.
Renowned for its bold designs and cutting-edge technology, Hublot perfectly complements Djokovic's dynamic presence on and off the court. Whether it's the Hublot Big Bang Green Ceramic he wore at Wimbledon or other sophisticated models, these watches reflect the relentless pursuit of perfection that has propelled Djokovic to the pinnacle of his sport.
Browse our selection of Hublot watches here.
The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, are two of the most successful tennis players in history. Venus has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including five at Wimbledon. Serena is considered one of the greatest players of all time with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon.
While their dominance of the sport made them famous, the Williams sisters were also known for their distinctive outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, including the watches they often wore while playing. Their fashion choices at Wimbledon frequently attracted attention and enhanced their iconic status in the tennis world.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore has been a favourite of Serena’s since 2014 when she became an ambassador for the brand and even in retirement she can be seen wearing them in one iteration or other.
Venus, on the other hand, has been seen off the courts wearing the Jacob & Co. Astronomia “Green Dragon” timepiece, which comes with an impressive £1 million price tag.
Browse our collection of Audemars Piguet watches here.
John McEnroe and Boris Becker. The Bad Boys of Tennis. So infamous were they, they earned the nicknames 'Superbrat' and 'Boom Boom' respectively. Almost as famous for the antics off court as well as on - we're looking at you Becker - they were both top of their game and certainly livened up the serene courts of SW19.
McEnroe appeared in an for the Omega Seamaster 120M Polaris, which when you consider it, made an ideal pairing. The distinctive design of the Gerald Genta-crafted timepiece, featuring a blend of titanium and gold, perfectly complemented McEnroe's rebellious spirit within the refined tennis realm. Both embodied a mindset of unconventional thinking and a willingness to defy expectations.
More recently McEnroe sports a modified Rolex - a polarising choice, as some enthusiasts adore it while others see it as sacrilege. However, McEnroe approached it the right way by entrusting the experts at Artisans De Genève to skeletonize his Submariner Date.
Whilst Becker may have landed himself in trouble both on and off court, it doesn't change the fact that he became the youngest player to win the Wimbledon championship at just 17. Achieving such a significant victory at a young age provided him with ample funds, fuelling his passion for watch collecting. His role as an IWC ambassador further supported this avid interest.
Being a stickler for tradition and maintaining a charming, quaint atmosphere, the courts of the All England Club are kept minimal, sophisticated, and undeniably regal, free from advertisements cluttering every corner. Unlike the other Grand Slam tournaments where advertisements are loud and prominent, the Wimbledon Championships resist such intrusions.
In its stark simplicity, only the green grass and the Rolex sign near the scoreboard serve as subtle distractions during epic matches that create legends. Standing apart from the other Slams, Wimbledon has always distinguished itself, including in the realm of timekeeping, where it shares a special bond with Rolex.
The Geneva-based watchmaking giant is renowned for producing elegant, timeless watches and adheres to its motto of ‘evolution in continuity.’ While Rolex makes strictly analogue watches for the other Grand Slam tournaments where it serves as the official timekeeper, the watch at Wimbledon’s hallowed Centre Court is unique. It boasts the world’s only digital Rolex watch to keep track of the hours.
If you are looking for a luxury watch to improve your game, or just make you feel like a tennis star, feel free to browse our selection below, or if you would prefer to see them in person, we invite you to visit our luxury showroom were one of our staff will be happy to assist you.
If you don’t see the watch you want in our current inventory, be sure to let our team know. We have comprehensive sourcing services to help you find your dream watch. Get in touch with the team at BQ Watches today to talk watches!
