However, the tennis season is not just an excuse for us Brits to enjoy a Pimms before noon but a global platform for the watch brands of the world to be seen on the wrists of tennis’ greatest. From Andy Murray’s partnership with Rado, and Rafa Nadal’s famous Richard Mille watches, the sport has always been a great pull for watch brands to really showcase the best of their technology.

Wimbledon starts a week on Monday so in preparation we thought we would take a look at the many ambassadors and their timepieces.

Rolex of course is the most prominent feature at Wimbledon with their sponsorship of the tournament, a partnership that spans 30 years. Official time keeper since 1978, Rolex takes great pride in their sponsorship of the great British sporting event; the Ivy-framed clocks and scoreboards are now just part of the furniture.

Both partners pride themselves on their long heritage and traditions so their partnership is truly perfect.

Roger Federer

Known among the tennis greats as one of the greatest players of all time, Federer has been an ambassador for Rolex for the past seven years. In 2006 the Swiss tennis player famously paid a ‘break up’ fee from his previous sponsors Maurice LaCroix in order to join the Rolex team and since then the winning combination has paid off for both the player and the brand.

No one has more Wimbledon Gentlemen’s titles than Federer so the 17-time Grand Slam winner and one of the world’s most iconic brands make the perfect partnership.

Following his first Wimbledon win back in 2003 Federer wore a steel Rolex Daytona to lift the trophy but in 2012 he chose the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date II.

Maria Sharapova

Sharapova is definitey one of the most famous female tennis players of the last decade; not just for her skills on the court but also as a blonde beauty. Since the age of four Maria has played tennis and at the age of 14 she was junior champion. Entering the WTA rankings in 2002 at no.532 she went onto win Wimbledon just two years later – the first Russian ever to do so. By 2005 she was happily sitting in the number one spot and has since gone onto win numerous Grand Slam titles since.

Maria has now been an ambassador for TAG Heuer watches for a number of years and, like the TAG Heuer F1 Ceramic Watch that she favours, she embodies their values of passion and performance. As the world’s highest paid female tennis player Sharapova can have her pick of watches yet she favours the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Ceramic Watch with Diamonds.

Caroline Wozniacki

Another fan of the iconic Swiss watch brand Rolex is Caroline Wozniacki. Preferring the more feminine option of the pink flower dial Rolex Datejust 36mm the Dane has worn her Rolex at every sporting event since 2010.

Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi

One of Tennis’s greats – Steffi Graf – is a real icon for women’s tennis. Playing since the age of four Steffi won every possible title, including an Olympic medal, before her retirement in 1999. Now enjoying her life with her husband, and fellow Longines ambassador Andre Agassi, she epitomises all the fundamental values of Longines – excellence, performance, revival and elegance. Her Longines of choice is the beautifully elegant Diamond set Longines Dolce Vita. While her husband sports the Longines Conquest Classic.

Hosted by Lords Taverners President Chris Cowdry the event consisted of 24 teams battling it out on the golf course to be named champions, however, try as they might they could not beat our very own Rodney Banks-Lyon and his ‘Precious Metals’ team. The team was made up of Robert Voss, Rodney Banks-Lyon, Martin Pratt and Nicola Sangwin. The won with 94 points but and were closely followed by the ‘Origins’ Team headed up by Malcolm Ginger and his team from Northwood.

Representatives came from Chelmsford, Harewood Downs, Moor Park, Windlesham, Sandford Springs, Littlestone, Woking, Hadley Wood and Royal Mid Surrey.  Moet Hennessy who are great sponsors of Taverners golf also put out a team headed up by Jack Dundas.

A first class lunch was provided by Sandy Lodge Golf Club to whom a big a thank you for their generous sponsorship of the day.

The auction conducted by Chris Cowdrey was very successful which meant that we raised some £14,250 and many thanks to all those who donated prizes.

This is the first all gold piece from Bremont Watch Company that will be available as part of the core range. The bezel and the case back are solid 18ct gold but the barrel is not; the pin buckle is also gold. Bremont aim to produce only 60 pieces per year but the watch will not be a limited edition piece.

There have been a few tweaks to the classic Bremont Alt1-C dial; the numerals mirror those used on the Victory watch dial, the hands are a more delicate ‘feuill’ leaf shape and the seconds a track-like feature bordering the outer edge of the bright white dial.

The Alt1C is arguably the most recognisable watch in the Bremont collection with its two dials and clean, vintage British feel. The trip tick case, Valjoux 7750 movement and COSC certified status are standard across the range and give confidence in the fact that all Bremont watches are tested to the highest standards.

The price for this piece is not set as yet but we believe it will be pushing into double figures. However, we are sure that whatever the price set by Bremont it is set to be a winner for all Bremont fans.

In 1926, Rolex wowed the world with the creation of the very first waterproof and dustproof watch. Named “The Oyster” the watch featured a hermetically sealed case which provided optimal protection for the movement. One year later this model was tested, worn around the neck of Mercedes Gleitze, a young English swimmer who challenged herself to swim the channel. The swim lasted for over ten hours in the freezing and sometimes hostile waters but at the end of it the watch remained in perfect working order. This was the birth of Rolex as a forerunner as a supplier of watches for adventurous men and women.

The development of the Rolex Submariner, arguably the most recognisable watch ever made, was created out of the success of the Oyster and Mercedes Gleitze’s triumph. The Oyster case, developed from early pocket watch – to wrist conversions featured a case sealed with a screw down case back, tight fitting sealed crystal and a double sealed screw down crown. Early pocket and wrist watches featured a snap-shut hinged door to protect the movement but Hans Wildorf, the Godfather of Rolex, recognised the flaw and the need to develop the case for more than just land wear.

Taking inspiration from jar lids Hans Wildorf created a watch that sat inside a sealed case whose front section would completely screw off to reveal the crown. It was this early model that inspired Rolex when creating the watch worn by Gleitze.

In 1931, Rolex invented and patented the world’s first self-winding mechanism with a perpetual rotor. Recognising the difficulty, and inconvenience, to undo to manually wind the movement, and frequently usage wore the rubber gaskets down; Rolex developed the first self-winding system that used a 360° oscillating weight that spun with the wearer’s wrist movement.

“The height of precision, the self winding Oyster movement is entirely engineered and manufactured by Rolex. Robust and reliable, every movement guarantees long-term high performance and is an officially certified Swiss chronometer.”

By 1953 all the components had been developed and acquired in order to produce the Rolex Submariner. A revolution in watch making the Submariner was water resistant to 100 meters, easy to read, both above and below water, and smart and classic to look at. Tested by the legendary Jacques Cousteau in the famous ‘A Silent World’; a documentary about the Mediterranean Sea, the watch also boasted a diver’s extension on the bracelet allowing the diver to wear their watch over the top of their wetsuits.

60 years later the Submariner has been through many changes and upgrades but all the while the aesthetics and heart stay the same. Most recently we have the introduction of the non-date version of this iconic watch. The watch was released at Basel Fair in 2012 to great applause from fans of the watch the world over.

This new release from Rolex arguably looked like all the previous models, however, it wasn’t… In fact it had a slightly redesigned case, a new bezel and a new bracelet.

The Movement:

The Rolex Submariner, and the Rolex Submariner Date models are equipped with the Calibre 3130 and 3135 respectively. This self-winding mechanical movement is entirely designed, developed and manufactured by the team of watchmakers within Rolex. This highly advanced in-house calibre is COSC certified, as is the case with the entire Rolex collection.

Fitted with a Parachrom hairspring that offers greater resistance to shocks, knocks and temperature variations this watch really is the perfect piece of kit for any budding explorer.

The Case:

Rated to a depth of 300meters – 1000feet – the middle of the case is crafted from Rolex finest 904L steel with a fluted case screw down case back. The winding crown, fitted with Rolex’s patented TRIPLOCK triple ‘waterproofness’ system, ensures further protection for the professional diver. The TRIPLOCK winding crown features ten different elements crafted from the most reliable of materials.

“Once assembled (the Crown) screws down onto the Oyster case as tightly and securely as a submarine hatch.”

The Ceramic Bezel:

A bezel with a blue, black or green Cerachrom insert graces the Submariner-Date and non-Date’s 40mm case. This patented material is fashioned from an extremely hard ceramic that has excellent corrosion-resistant properties. Its vivid colours remain so for its lifetime and are unaffected by ultraviolet rays. The numerals and graduations are PVD coated in yellow gold or platinum.

The bezel is virtually scratchproof so perfect for life’s little adventures!

The dial and Sapphire:

The date magnification bubble on the date model now has an anti-reflective coating greatly improving legibility of the date underneath in all conditions.

All Submariners, be them date or non date models, have the pigmented SuperLuminova application on the hands and markers that glows blue in low light conditions. It is said that the blue tint is much better for reading beneath the surface of the water than the original green tint.

The Oyster Bracelet:

Fitted with a solid-link Oyster bracelet in 904L steel this watch is practical and durable. The patented OysterLock safety clasp with Glidelock extension system allows the wearer 20mm of extra length in 2mm increments. This allows the wearer to wear their watch comfortably over a diving suit or ski jacket.

In the second of our two part series, we take a look at the stunning selection of TAG Heuer watches for him to prove that the very best in luxury chronographs doesn’t have to cost the earth. With just a 10% deposit and Banks Lyon’s 0% finance you can secure yourself a gorgeous TAG Heuer watch for less than £100 a month; that’s £25 a week! So for the price of a night-out, a trip to the cinema with trimmings, or a a meal for two, why not put that money to better use and purchase one of the finest luxury watches available to buy today.

Under £50pcm

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The TAG Heuer Formula One is the perfect entry level TAG Heuer chronograph for the modern man on the go. The robust chassis, scratch resistant sapphire glass and 200m water resistance combine to ensure that the F1 can shrug off everything life throws at it, making it ideal for both general wear and sport. The stainless steel band provides a timeless quality that will suit any style, and at 500 grams the watch bears a good weight that sits nicely on the wrist without feeling too heavy. Overall this is an amazing watch in the TAG Heuer brand, complete with the manufacturer’s minimum two-year guarantee, and it can be yours for under £10 a week.

£50-£75pcm

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With £75pcm you could secure yourself the classic TAG Heuer Calibre 5 Carrera. Carrera is currently celebrating its 50^th year as part of the TAG Heuer range, and so the Carrera chronographs are in high demand. The Calibre 5 is part of TAG Heuer’s 2013 collection, and presents a minimalist face with baton numerals for a streamlined presentation on a subtle chequed background. The watch is water resistant to 100m, and the markers delicately illuminate in low lighting conditions for increased visibility. The Carrera range is one of TAG Heuer’s flagship designs, and the Calibre 5 is maintains its sleek, sporty and stylish heritage.

£75-£100pcm

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The TAG Heuer Link Automatic  watch is the pinnacle in comfort and design. The unique geometric design on the bracelet ensures maximum comfort and stability on the wrist; the watch retains its grip without ever feeling too tight. The face sports baton numerals, with the 6 o clock position accommodating the date and day of the week. The Link Automatic looks at home in the office or at the match, providing a universal luxury that is envied by all. At under £90pcm you can model the very best in TAG Heuer chronographs without having to worry about the cost, and still be assured of the unparalleled quality, superb design and unwavering accuracy, all underpinned by the standard TAG Heuer two-year guarantee.

This week the Swiss watch brand Rolex have unveiled their new advertising campaign for the latter part of 2013. This nationwide campaign focuses on the many influential people who have supported the Rolex brand throughout their history; from actors and actresses, statesmen, explorers and leaders the many individuals who have made a Rolex their watch of choice is a plethora of the world’s most influential individuals.

Here we show the Rolex presented to Sir Winston Churchill and the meticulous attention to detail afforded by the Swiss brand in personalising the piece with his own coat of arms: a beautiful example of the care and attention that goes into every watch produced.

Yesterday Bremont Watch Company announced their partnership with the, now named, Bremont Horsemen WWII display team.

The ‘Horsemen’ display team were actually formed over a decade ago as the world’s only P-51 Mustang formation aerobatics team. Since then team has gone from strength to strength, gathering followers and enthusiasts and now flies other platforms in formation, including F8F Bearcats, F4U Corsairs and, most recently, the P-38 Lightening.

Though they may have strayed from their original intentions of only flying the P-51 their philosophy remains  the same:

“Escape Life’s Gravity”

Flying purely because they love it so much, their passions for historical aircraft and their peerless dedication was infectious to Bremont Watch Company and so ensues a partnership like no other the British watch brand has entered into before.

The team will commence its partnership with Bremont, and its display season this year at the Duxford Spring Air Show at the end of this month before moving around the country. They will start with their very first performance as the ‘Bremont Horsemen’ with a display in tribute to the American Pilots who flew with the Eagle Squadrons during WWII.  Flying in the historic four-ship across the UK and the US the team will comprise of a Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, Curtis P-47 Thunderbolt and the North American P-51 Mustang.

The Bremont Horsemen for 2013 are Americans Steve Hinton, Dan Friedkin and Ed Shipley with the British born Paul Bonhomme joining them for their debut. Paul Bonhomme is a previous Red Bull air-racing champion.

“Bremont shares our passion for historic aviation and the desire to celebrate our combat history through the display of fighter aircraft. This partnership offers a unique opportunity for Bremont, the aviation-inspired watch maker, and the Horsemen, the world’s only P-51 Mustang aerobatic team, to capitalize on our natural alignment. As a team, we look forward to flying the Bremont colours in our performances across the globe.”

Dan Friedkin, Bremont Horsemen Team Leader

“Giles and I grew up around vintage aircraft and it still forms a large part of our lives. There has been a great synergy between time and flying – in both cases mechanical machinery tuned and maintained to perfection. The margins for error flying these historic aircraft in such close proximity to each other are minute.”

Nick English, Co-Founder, Bremont Watch Company

Famous for their military collaboration watches could we be seeing a specially commissioned watch for these guys soon?

View the entire Bremont Watch Collection on our website.

Held each year the Mille Miglia is one of the racing worlds’s most famous and most iconic races and for the 25th consecutive year Chopard are the official time keepers.

From May 16th-19th 2013 the racing communities of Italy and across the world came to a standstill to witness one of the greatest road races in history.

Each year only 375 vehicles are accepted to participate; the cars raced must have been driven, at least once, in one of the historical Mille Miglia races between the years of 1927 – 1957. Between 1927 and 1961 the Mille Miglia was a speed trial on open roads across Italy; the very first race featured only 77 cars but now the race welcomes cars and their drivers from the world over to race what is now essentially a rally.

Not that this rally is any less competitive than the original format – the route twists and turns through the Italian countryside as the cars make their way along to the finish line. The cars are as powerful and unpredictable as they ever have been and the riders must stay focused and vigilant. Time keeping is obviously a huge part of this race; the teams can rely only on their driving skills, the indications provided in their road-book, as well as their time measuring instrument, and so as sponsors Chopard have developed their own range of dedicated timepieces designed especially for the race.

The race lasts three days and starts in Brescia, Northern Italy. The drivers must reach Rome by the next day (Friday) and then they must return to Brescia on the Saturday ready for prizes and celebrations on the Sunday evening.

For 2013 Chopard have totally re-engineered and re-designed the Mille Miglia and has issued two limited editions in steel (2013 pieces) and rose gold (250 pieces). The watch has been designed to play a key role in the Mille Miglia race “…just in the same way as a car engine or a suspension system”.

The Watch

The Limited Edition Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph Watch for 2013 is a self-winding chronometer that features a 24-hour dual time indication and date display in the iconic red arrow at 3 o’clock; the arrow depicts the signposts that show the route from Brescia to Rome and back. Housed in a 42.9mm case this watch sits perfectly on even the slimmest wrists. The imposing 44mm bezel gives the illusion of a much larger watch without detracting from comfort and wearability. However, in their “quest for optimal ergonomics” Chopard have continued with the amendments to the watch by revamping the lugs to make them short and tapered so as to secure the watch more firmly to the wrist. The smooth, mushroom shaped pushers with a non-slip etched grid pattern are easy to use and further emphasises Chopards desire to create the perfect time piece for the high pressure situation of serious racing.

Carrying on this theme of ease of use Chopard have designed the dial focusing primarily on readability; the red sweep second hand is tipped with white to ensure the wearer doesn’t miss it and the anthracite dial is the perfect background for the light grey hour markers. The bezel features a tachometric scale and the dual time reading is positioned on the dial between the hour markers.

Both the hour markers and the hands are enhanced with a superluminova coating to ensure the time is still visible in low light and at night. The red highlights on the dial are testament to the colour that symbolises Italy’s passion for automobiles and classic car racing. Framing the inner bezel ring and surrounding the counters and chronograph hands this red really stands out and only emphasises Chopard’s commitment to this time honoured Italian tradition.

Finished off with an integrated rubber strap with 1960’s Dunlop racing-tyre motif to enhance the sporty look of this time piece.

“The Chopard Classic Racing collection stems from the passion nurtured by Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele for historical cars and motor sports in general. A penchant for performance and speed, a passion for mechanics and tradition, a love of details and fine workmanship are all key character traits that have guided him towards the creation of this fascinating collection.”

Discover the complete Chopard Classic Racing collection on http://www.bankslyon.co.uk/chopard-watches