The annual global timepiece event Watches and Wonders returns for another edition this week. The exhibition has brought some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to Geneva, where top luxury watchmakers are set to unveil their latest novelties.
Among the watchmakers already generating buzz with their new launches include NBA star favourites Rolex and Patek Philippe, as well as the long-time collaborator of David Beckham Tudor.
The watchmaking and sports worlds have always had a strong connection that sees top industry players cross-pollinating. From timekeeping chronographs to watches designed for the furthest reaches of the ocean, watchmakers constantly challenge themselves through innovations and technology that help push the boundaries of athletic pursuits.
A number of brand ambassadors made their way to the show for a first look at these latest watches, sporting prototype timepieces and new launches that are yet to make their way to market.
Eileen Gu
The freestyle skier signed a deal with IWC in 2021 and has since been spotted at several of the brand's events. While the watchmaker focused its push this year on a revamp of the sporty Ingenieur watch that was first developed during the 1950s, Gu was seen wearing a dress watch, a Portofino Automatic Day & Night; the rose gold timepiece sparkles with 66 diamonds.
Roger Federer
The long-time Rolex ambassador was seen making his way to the watchmaker's booth. The tennis star owns a good number of Rolex watches and often wears his favourite pieces on court. He's been photographed wearing everything from the Milgauss and Skydweeler to the iconic Rolex Daytona.
Rolex has been a long-time sponsor of several top sporting events and partners with the four Grand Slams.
Though the cameras didn't quite capture which Rolex Federer during the show, it's likely he'll be one of the first in the world to get his hands on the season's hottest Rolex new release, including this colourful Day Date that replaces the date wheel with 31 emojis.
Nimsdai Purja
Mountaineer and adventurer, better known as Nims, collaborated with Swiss watchmaker Montblanc to develop a timepiece to accompany his extreme journeys. Last year, he set out to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen and instead was accompanied by the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE2990 watch for a wear test.
The timepiece featured a zero-oxygen build, where no air is left inside the timepiece to eliminate fogging under extreme conditions. Across the sundial at 12 o'clock depicts the Northern Hemisphere marked with orange dots representing the 14 8000-metre peaks.
