Sports stars often inspire and influence their followers, not just with their sporting abilities but also the clothes they wear, the brands they endorse and the places they visit. Many of the biggest sporting heroes have capitalized on this by becoming brand ambassadors or teamed up with companies to release their own collections.
Watch brands are one example of companies that sometimes pay celebrities to wear their pieces to increase sales. A number of stars have even gone down the route of releasing their own luxury watches, they have input into the design of the piece, and it often reflects their own style.
Many sports stars are seen at events and competitions wearing their favorite luxury watch and soon after these pieces fly off the shelves as fans race to get one too.
Lewis Hamilton
The world-famous Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton is known for being the joint seven-time World Drivers’ Championship title holder, he is also known for his fashion sense and taste in luxury brands. The British driver is said to be a favorite this year for the F1 Championship with many betting on F1 placing their wager on him coming in first place overall.
Hamilton’s watch collection is impressive, he possesses a number of very exclusive and expensive timepieces. At his seventh Formula One championship, the racer was seen sporting a distinctive black watch from IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar collection.
It was an all-black piece with a matte black bracelet. The case and bracelet were both made from IWC’s own titanium and ceramic formula. This design was chosen to match the Mercedes-Benz team livery and represent his support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Another classic piece for Hamilton’s collection Perpetual Calendar watch, with a burgundy dial with luminescence on a burgundy textile strap. This watch is made with longevity in mind and is mechanically programmed to 577 years.
Lebron James
Another sports star with impeccable taste is NBA Lakers player Lebron James, four-time MVP winner and player in four NBA Championships. He is a brand ambassador for the Swiss manufacturer Audemars Piguet and is the owner of a custom-made limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore with hand stitched grey alligator strap and 18-carat rose gold and silver face.
Another noticeable piece he has been seen in is a Patek Philippe Nautilus in gold that is set with diamonds. This is a dynamic piece that can be styled just as well with an effortless jeans and t-shirt combo, as it could with a tuxedo.
The Richard Mille RM 11-03 piece he has also worn is a very different style, coated in a bright TPT material; its outer body has a colorful candy-like appearance. This is a sporty looking piece that was actually designed with the legendary racing driver and ex-CEO of Ferrari Jean Todt in mind.
David Beckham
Over in the football world, British former player David Beckham is a brand ambassador of Tudor. While he was once world famous for his football skills, he is now equally respected for his acting and modeling pursuits and is the owner of Inter Miami CF.
Beckham is a fan of more classic styles and favours Tudor watches such as the Black Bay Chrono in steel, priced in the region of $4000 dollars. This piece has a sports chronograph and sub-counters in a contrasting color and is said to be a favorite on the field.
He has also been known to wear similarly priced Tudor Black Bay Bronze, which is encased in 43 mm bronze and has a smart black leather strap. This durable design is waterproof up to 200 meters and has a power reserve of around 70 hours.
Paul Pogba
French professional football Paul Pogba is a midfielder who plays for British team Manchester United, he has a sponsorship deal with sports brand Adidas and appeared in the 2018 World Cup commercial.
Pogba is a collector of luxury items and has expensive tastes. He was recently seen sporting the Patek Philippe 5719/10G in white gold set, a watch with baguette diamonds and a 1,343 brilliant-cut. This piece has an eye-watering retail price of $453,600 dollars.
A sportier style of watch in his possession is the Richard Mille RM 30 White Rush luxury watch, released exclusively in America in 2015. It has a self-winding movement and a 42.70mm wide case made from white matte ceramic and black carbon. With a six-figure price tag and only 50 being made, this piece is a rare find indeed.
Serena Williams
International tennis superstar Serena William has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in her long career and is one of the most successful female players of all time. Off the court she has entered a number of endorsements, including a five-year deal with Nike.
Williams wears watches for all occasions and has been an ambassador for Audemars Piguet for a number of years. One of her most memorable styles is the classic Royal Oak Offshore, she has worn both the stainless steel and rose gold versions of the design.
At the Met Gala in 2017, Serena wore one of Audemars Piguet’s more exclusive watches. This elegant piece contained up to 65 carats of diamonds. At the same event two years later, she coordinated with her husband, he wore the CODE 11:59 Automatic Chronograph while she sported another classic diamond-set Royal Oak.
When deciding on your next piece of wrist-wear, sports icons can provide great inspiration for luxurious pieces for any occasion.
