We are official stockists of some outstanding watch brands that prove themselves time and time again to be the best in business. One way they do this is by being front and centre during some of the biggest sporting events in the world. As Official Timekeepers during these competitions, their job is to time events, ensuring that every millisecond counts and guaranteeing complete accuracy.
As we anticipate Paris 2024, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and the last half of the Tour de France 2024, we thought it would be interesting to explore the watches behind the timings. From Tissot to TAG Heuer, this is an insight into the world of luxury watches and their role in some of the world’s most major sporting events.
Why Are Watch Brands So Forefront in Sporting Events?
In sports, timing is everything. Without someone timing laps, start times, and finishing times, we would never have records, personal bests, or competition at all. This is where watch brands come into play as Official Timekeepers. OMEGA was the first of its kind, providing chronographs and timekeeping equipment for the Olympics in 1904. They paved the way for many other luxury watch brands to take to the start line and provide precise timings for the most highly anticipated events in sports.
Whether it is Hublot as the Official Timekeeper of the UEFA Euros or TAG Heuer with its accurate timekeeping for Formula 1, many brands have formed partnerships with sports tournaments. And it isn’t just timekeeping that they are famous for. As part of these partnerships, watchmakers solidify their passion for their chosen sport with watch ranges created specifically for these events.
At Banks Lyon, we are proud to offer a wide range of these (often limited edition) pieces, including the TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch collection. With their bright hues and impeccable accuracy, they are the perfect celebration of this well-loved sport.
Cartier: Partner of the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Following on from one motorsports event to another, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is set for another year of thrills from Thu, 11 Jul 2024 – Sun, 14 Jul 2024. The highly anticipated festival hosts a range of vehicles, from classic and vintage cars to modern racing cars, many of which take part in the famous hill climb and other exciting events. While the Official Timekeeper role sits with Montblanc this year, Cartier is taking centre stage in a unique area of the event.
Cartier Style et Luxe has become a staple of Goodwood since the first Cartier Lawn almost thirty years ago. It is a showcase of over 40 cars, displaying the very best (and most beautiful) examples of motoring. Everything about the brand, including Cartier watches, is a demonstration of luxury, high fashion, and attention to fine detail, meaning the watchmakers are an exceptional sponsor of such an event.
Tissot: at the Centre of the Tour de France
Tissot is the Official Timekeeper of the Tour de France and several other cycling events, such as La Vuelta a España and the Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Nice. Tissot watches began their association with cycling in the 1980s when their technology was used to time the Tour de France; since then, they have been at the centre of each month-long race. Each milestone has its own challenges, whether it is a race on flat ground, hilly terrains, or mountainous landscapes, and must be timed accurately to provide precise results. Unlike events in the Olympics, such as the 100-metre sprint, this is an event that takes time and requires a reliable watch brand to track every second accordingly. Thankfully, Tissot is renowned for its extreme reliability and precise timekeeping and cyclists and spectators alike trust it each year.
OMEGA at the Olympics: Paris 2024
As mentioned, OMEGA watches were the first to appear on the sporting scene; the brand collaborated with the Olympics for the first time in 1904! Since then, they have been at the forefront of every Olympic Games, and Paris 2024 is no different.
Along with hundreds of timekeepers, the latest and greatest in timekeeping technology, and modern innovations that take precision to the next level, OMEGA has brought out a range of commemorative watches for the event. Like every event, the watchmakers work closely with the Olympics to design pieces that are beautiful and functionally excellent and celebrate the global sporting tournament in the best way possible. At Banks Lyon, we are proud official stockists of OMEGA and pleased to offer some of these iconic timepieces, including the OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Paris 2024 Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm, pictured below in its commemorative box.
Sporting Icons: Luxury Watches at Banks Lyon
Whether you are a fan of tennis, a motorsports enthusiast, or a general lover of sport, we hope this has given you an insight into the role of watches during the biggest sporting events and celebrations across the globe.
If you are interested in purchasing a timepiece from any of the brands mentioned above, please do not hesitate to visit our stores, where our friendly and knowledgeable team can help you find the best match for you. Alternatively, get in touch using our handy Live Chat at the bottom right of our website or contact us via WhatsApp at 07751 807 041 to get help quickly from our team.