Designed to Win: 2024’s Most Stunning Watches Created in Collaboration with Sporting Legends

Earlier this month, Formula 1 announced that TAG Heuer would return to the sport as its Official Timekeeper this year, marking the start of Formula 1’s 10-year partnership with LVMH. TAG Heuer’s inextricable ties with motorsport date back decades; it was the first luxury brand to have its logo appear on an F1 car back in 1969, and the first to sponsor a team in 1971. Of course, TAG Heuer isn’t the only watch brand that shares such a close connection with the world of sports. Numerous brands have, over the years, produced watches in collaboration with the sporting world and sportspeople. 2024 witnessed the release of several such timepieces that were created in collaboration with sporting greats. GMT India takes a closer look at some of these horological gems.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic

Designed in collaboration with tennis legend Novak Djokovic — a Hublot ambassador since 2021 — this 42 mm chronograph is both a time teller and a piece of Grand Slam history. A shining reminder of Hublot’s commitment to innovation, this watch is created from a unique mix of materials: 25 Head racquets along with 17 dark blue and 15 light blue Lacoste polos, worn by Djokovic over the span of the 2023 season, when he clinched his 24th Grand Slam title. Engineered to be feather-like, the watch sports a one-of-a-kind mix of blue textiles and carbon, and a closer look at the details reveal subtle nods to the sport. For instance, the signature ‘H’ screws have been replaced with screws that bring to mind a tennis ball.

Richard Mille RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon Rafael Nadal

The RM 27-05 project first took shape in 2010 when in a meeting with tennis icon Rafael Nadal, Richard Mille presented a prototype of the RM 027, a surprisingly light watch with distinct design lines. In 2024, the latest RM 27-05 offering was unveiled. Weighing 11.5 grams (excluding the strap) and designed to withstand a g-force of 14,000, the timepiece stands out for not just its lightness but also for its superlative performance. While the lightness is due to the use of a new composite, Carbon TPT® B.4, the performance is powered by the manual-winding movement that measures 3.75 mm in thickness and weighs just 3.79 grams, ensuring a robust power reserve of 55 hours.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra inspired by Armand “Mondo” Duplantis

As the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega spent plenty of time in the spotlight in 2024. However, a surprise reveal of a particular Omega at the Olympics caused quite the stir. Swedish pole vaulter and reigning World and Olympic champion Armand “Mondo” Duplantis (who broke the World Record for an 8th time in his career, setting a new height of 6.24m) was spotted wearing a special 41 mm stainless steel timepiece. Inspired by the brand ambassador, this Seamaster Aqua Terra is crafted in the blue and yellow colours of the Swedish flag, and features other exclusive details in celebration of Mondo’s achievements in athletics. As precision has been critical throughout Mondo’s sporting journey, the watch is equipped with a Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre, assuring optimal accuracy and performance.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Damian Lillard Special Edition

A collaboration that showcases a belief common to both Tissot and 7x NBA All-Star Damian Lillard (also known as Dame D.O.L.L.A. on the music scene) — that greatness can be for everyone — this special edition PRX is sized at 40 mm and sports a stainless steel case with yellow gold PVD coating. The distinct black dial is embossed with the number '0', a nod to Lillard's jersey number, and the second hand features Damian’s monogram. The flange of the watch showcases more personal details, with each quadrant telling a part of Lillard’s story. For instance, ‘DAME’ and ‘TIME’ adorn the top left and right corners respectively, synonymous with Lillard’s on-court moniker.

TUDOR Black Bay 58 X Inter Milan FC

In April last year, Italian soccer league Serie A team Inter Milan won the league — with five matches still to be played at that point — to become Italian Champions, winning their 20th title. In Italy, for every 10 titles won, a team earns a star permanently affixed to its jersey. Last year, the team, with this win, earned their second star. To commemorate this occasion, TUDOR created a special 39 mm Black Bay 58 model in the team’s signature colours: blue and black. The dial sports the logo of Inter at six o’clock, along with the two stars they’ve earned, printed in gilt. Powered by the COSC-certified MT5402 calibre, the watch doubles up as a stunning tribute to Inter’s stellar performance and is limited to 1908 pieces.