Golf watches that will help you with your game
A watch is a watch is a watch. Right?
Well, not in the luxurious world of golf. Some golf watches come with special functions to assist your game – such as distance-counting mechanisms, which track the number of shots you’ve taken, as well as a nifty little device that tells you how far you have to the green.
Specialist golf watchmaker Jaermann & Stubi – which prides itself on being the ‘official timekeeper of St Andrews Links’ – teamed up with the late Seve Ballesteros to create the Seve Ballesteros Golf Watch, among other remarkable models. The coolest part about these watches – which are limited to 50 – is that they are forged from the irons Ballesteros used in his 5-under-par victory in the Chunichi Crown Open in Japan back in 1991. The watch features a unique counting mechanism that can be used to track the number of strokes taken at each hole. It also keeps track of the total strokes, displays the holes played and compares the score to the golfer’s own handicap (who needs a scorecard or rangefinder?).
The Reconvilier Hercules Golf Master is another timepiece in a class of its own. On one side it shows a classic analogue display, but when it’s time to tee off, the face rotates to show digital measurements of the distance to the front edge or centre of the green.
The TAG Heuer golf watch also has a function that tells you the distance to the front edge of the green. TAG Heuer has worked extensively with Tiger Woods to produce golf-specific watches. They are all lightweight and durable, making them ideal to wear on the course.
It’s a trend that has been adopted by many watch manufacturers. Watches specifically made for golfers are shock-proof. Thus, it is unlikely to hinder the golfer’s swing in any way.
What watches are the golf stars wearing?
It’s not only the well-established players who are endorsing these companies, but also the latest breed of young golfers.
None more so than big-hitting American Bubba Watson. In January this year, Bubba was seen wearing a rather eye-catching timepiece. Turns out, the watch is one of only 38 that will be made, each valued at well over
$500 000. Its creator, Richard Mille, conveniently named the watch RM 038, and has designed the watch for golf-playing purposes. It’s lightweight and durable, which makes it easy to wear while playing a round of golf.
Watch brands that sponsor golf
Watch companies such as Omega and Rolex have become synonymous with golf and either host, or are the premium sponsor of a tournament.
The Omega Desert Classic, Omega European Masters, Omega Mission Hills World Cup and Abu Dhabi Golf Championship supported by Rolex are just a few of the prominent events sponsored by watch companies.
They inject huge sums of money into these ventures and always make sure they are growing the sport. Recently, Rolex has become the chosen time-keeper of the ever-growing Asian Tour. Known for prestige and excellence, the brand has given the Asian Tour a similar flamboyancy to that of the US Tour and the European Tour.
Check out the collection of golf watches currently on the market – there’s something for all styles and budget.
20 hot watches on the market today
Calibre de Cartier
Steel with black dial
SRP: R52 600
This watch is produced with a Cartier Manufacture self-winding mechanical movement, the Calibre 1904-PS MC. The bracelet strap is polished and satin-brushed stainless steel and the hands are sword-shaped in rhodium-plated steel and luminescent material.
For more info contact Cartier Boutique, Sandton City on 011 666 2800.
TAG Heuer
Carrera 1887 chronograph
SRP: R40 000
This watch has been named the 2010 Swiss Watch of the Year in the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève’s prestigious ‘La Petite Aiguille’ (small hand) category.
It was developed, produced and assembled in TAG Heuer’s state-of-the-art facility in Switzerland.
For more information visit Picot and Moss website.
IWC Portuguese Yacht Club
Black dial
SRP: R103 000
Developed and manufactured completely by IWC in Schaffhausen, the 89360-calibre chronograph movement features a significantly improved self-winding system. The design, which occupied an IWC development team for a full four years, was necessitated by a revolutionary chronograph display that enables the user to read off even relatively long times – eight hours and 52 minutes, for example – at a glance: a circular totaliser combines the hour and minute counters as if they were a watch within a watch.
For more info contact Cartier Boutique, Sandton City on 011 666 2800.
Oakley Holeshot
Swiss Chronograph Watch
SRP: R5000
This performance edition of Holeshot is engineered with a true Swiss-made chronograph that measures cumulative time, intermediate time and split time down to a tenth of a second. Durability is essential, so Oakley sealed the six-hand display with a pure sapphire crystal. Refinements include luminous phosphors for improved viewing in low light, and a dual-seal crown to protect the case against water pressure.
For more info call the store info line on 0861 486 100, or visit Oakley's website.
Seiko
SNAD23P2 Sportura Alarm Chronograph
SRP: R6999
This timekeeper features a chronograph up to 60 minutes in 1/5 second increments and split-time measurement.
Seiko stockist number: 011 405 3300
Gucci
YA126225 G-Timeless Chrono
SRP: R10395
YA126224 G-Timeless Red PVD
SRP: R7995
The G-Timeless Black Quartz Chronograph is distinguished by sporty green accents and a tachymeter scale around the bezel. The quartz model is characterised by a bold black-and-red colour palette.
For more information, click here.
Original Penguin
SRP: R2500
Original Penguin’s origins date back to 1955, when Munsingwear – an underwear and military supply company – ironically became the touchstone of suburban sport with the introduction of the first iconic golf shirt to America: an Original Penguin. Its first shirt was an instant golf classic and soon became a staple among the masters of leisure wear worn by the likes of Arnold Palmer, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Clint Eastwood. In 2003, an Original Penguin was recreated by a group of people who love great style and smart clothing.
Available at Stuttafords and the Original Penguin store in the CT Waterfront.
Callaway
CY 2175
SRP: R600
CY 2173
SRP: R900
Callaway watches feature sports rubber straps and are rust-resistant and non-allergenic. Features such as stainless-steel coating and water-resistance make this a good choice to wear on the golf course.
Timepieces are available from authorised golf retail stores.
Hermés
Clipper chronograph
R59995
The Hermés Clipper chronographs are sporty, masculine timepieces equipped with an exceptional mechanism. Before receiving the rating certificate from the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), each movement has undergone 15 days of ultra-strict testing in five positions and at three different temperatures. Highlighted in orange, the central chronograph hand measures time to within the nearest fraction of a second and is combined on the Clipper automatic diver’s chronograph with a tachometric scale serving to read off speeds.
For more information, click here.
Citizen Watches
Ladies white ceramic watch - FB1131-51D- SRP: R6999
Ladies watch with Swarovski crystals and mother of pearl face - E01041-54D - SRP: R2499
Gents watch with black face & brown strap - BV1060-15E - SRP: R1999
Gents watch with flat black face and silver strap - AR3010-65E - SRP: R3999
Gents sporty watch with silver strap and black face - CA0030-52E - SRP: R4999
What sets these watches apart is the fact that Citizen’s progressive Eco-Drive technology harnesses the power of light – from any natural or artificial light source – and converts it into energy. This means it recharges continuously, so you’ll never have to replace a battery. Citizen watches have been spotted on the wrists of golfers such as Paula Creamer, and Australian golfer Sarah Kemp was a former brand ambassador. ‘Recharging your batteries’ is a fantastic excuse to hit the golf course on a sunny day!
For more information on Citizen watches, click here, or phone 011 257 6000.
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Chronograph - SRP: R173 095
Audemars Piguet, which prides itself on being the oldest Haute Horlogerie watchmaker still in the hands of its founding families, is still celebrating the US Open victory of its ambassador Rory McIlroy. The players composing the international Audemars Piguet Golf Team are Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Vijay Singh, Anthony Kim and Darren Clarke. All are particularly keen devotees of Haute Horlogerie and proudly wear Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore watches. These collections embody a perfect combination of elegance, excellence and strength, qualities that Audemars Piguet particularly appreciates in its sports ambassadors.
For more information, click here.
Rolex
Oyster Perpetual Datejust Special Edition - SRP: On request
Rolex prides itself on this watch’s gracious, curved lines, its feminine form and its new, elegant invisible clasp. It is also an Oyster with peerless precision and reliability, a waterproof chronometer equipped with a perpetual rotor self-winding mechanical movement. A trusted companion under all circumstances.
Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II - SRP: On request
With its numerous innovative watchmaking features, the Yacht-Master II model is the epitome of the brand’s creative force and technology. Its functions depend on a major innovation: the exclusive ring command bezel, designed and developed by Rolex. Rotatable through 90 degrees and interacting with the movement, it serves to initialise and then lock the countdown programming.
For more info, contact Rolex South Africa on 011 784 9230.
Omega
The Seamaster Planet Ocean 45.50 mm Titanium Liquidmetal Chronograph - SRP: R70 600
This watch, which has ambassadors including Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia, Michelle Wie and, most recently, Seung-Yul Noh, has a 45.50mm case made of grade five titanium. It means that this very lightweight element has been alloyed with small amounts of aluminium and vanadium and is particularly hard – a great quality for a sports watch. The union of blue ceramics and Liquidmetal in the new Planet Ocean model is another world premiere. The hardness of the materials means that they will maintain their appearance indefinitely. This extraordinary timepiece is presented on a blue integrated rubber strap that perfectly complements the blue ceramic bezel. It is also available with a titanium bracelet.
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