The Many Watches of Wimbledon 2023
What would you wear to win the world’s most famous tennis tournament?
As I sit and finish writing this story, I am struck by an abiding sense that those of us who follow tennis watched a profound moment of change during The Championships at Wimbledon yesterday. As a young 20-year-old Spaniard slowly chipped away at the man who, thogugh I hate to admit it, is likely the best to ever play the game, we entered into a new era of tennis — at least on the men’s side. (The sea change we experienced in men’s tennis this weekend had cemented for the women’s game last year in New York City when Serena Williams put down her racquet for the last time.)
We’ve known this time was coming for a while. Not because Novak Djokovic has slowed down in the slightest — he’s already won two Grand Slams this year with relatively little resistance — but because this is what happens in sports. Time moves inexorably forward, and young players supplant those they grew up idolizing. And so it was that a young player by the name of Carlos Alcaraz came to be handed the most coveted trophy in tennis by the Princess of Wales on Sunday.
And on his wrist, what else but an 18k yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on an Oysterflex bracelet with a meteorite dial. Not a bad choice to match the gilt cup he rightfully earned after his nearly 5-hour duel against tennis’s winningest champion. The runner up Novak Djokovic was also wearing a watch — a Hublot Big Bang Integrated Green Ceramic. Not a bad choice considering the somewhat restrictive color palette of The Championships.
These two competitors weren’t the only players in the tournament to take to the court with a watch strapped to their wrists. So, without further ado, here are some of the most interesting watches spotted among the tennis whites and grass in SW19.
On Court Performance
Most tennis players don’t wear a watch on court. I for one don’t understant that but it is what it is and, so, after most major matches, it has become ritual to see the victor grab a watch out of their bag and slip it on their wrist, in order to then spend most of their post-match interview conspicuously touching their face and adjusting their hair — but only with the watch-bearing wrist.
There are, however, a handful of players who do actually wear their watches while they play. And, as someone who wears a watch playing tennis, I am here for it.
Starting off with a fun one, Andrey Rublev has always been an energetic player to watch, with a big baseline game and a massive serve. The watch he wore for Wimbledon this year served as a great match. Rublev spent the tournament wearing the Match Point Edition of the Bulgari Aluminum Watch. With its aluminum case, Destro layout, and green rubber accents, this watch is a great summer pick. Tennis ball green accents on the dial and an engraved tennis ball on the caseback serve as gentle reminders that this is a watch made with the sport in mind.
Continuing on that thread, most people, when they think tennis watch, think of something either along the lines of an inexpensive digital sports watch, or a dainty diamond-clad ladies’ watch worn by the elderly women who frequent the Bushwood-like country clubs of the world. But, increasingly, modern tennis watches are coming from a wide variety of high-end independent watchmakers. Watches worn by Donna Vekić, Grigor Dimitrov, and Tommy Paul prove it.
I have to admit that when I saw the watch on Grigor Dimitrov’s wrist this year, I assumed it was a Richard Mille. The carbon case, openworked dial, and tonneau shape all screamed the high-performance Swiss maker. But no, Baby Fed (as he was affectionally titled early in his career) is wearing a brand I am admittedly unfamiliar with — Bianchet. Clearly playing in the same aesthetic realm, Bianchet has been producing tech-forward tourbillon sports watches for a few years now and seems like a perfect companion for the court, and for Dimitrov.
Donna Vekić offered us a more familiar option with her choice of watch with her F.P. Journe Élégante. I’m not sure I even need to talk about this watch, but I will because I love it. At its core, the Élégante is a top-tier quartz watch offered in a case architecture inspired by classic Tortue watches of the 20th century. The pink band possibly pushes the conservative dress code of the tournament in a fun way, but this is a killer piece, and one perfectly suited for any appearances on or off the court.
All that said, Tommy Paul wins the crown this year, if not for his play on the court, then certainly for his wrist check. The young American debuted a killer piece unique from De Bethune based on their recently released DB28xs Starry Seas (which you can read about here). Featuring a number of tennis-inspired accents and a Wimbledon-themed color scheme, this watch looked great against the long-cultivated aesthetic backdrop of Wimbledon and represents what seems like the start of a great partnership between the brand and the top-20 player.
All images, except where noted, courtesy of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.