Generally, I really feel for Roger Federer: He’s one of many best athletes the world has ever seen, and but the dude can’t simply present up, post-retirement, to spectate at a tennis match in a pair of denims and a polo shirt. Nope—this man has to decorate like an MI6 agent on project irrespective of the place he goes, proper all the way down to the wristwatch.
As such, we are able to at all times rely on Fed for glorious watch recognizing, and Wimbledon 2024 has been no totally different. Paired to his lovely grey go well with was a Rolex Datejust 36 with—appropriately sufficient—a “Wimbledon” dial. Launched in 2009, such Datejusts are available in varied bezel, metallic, and bracelet combos, however their dials are all of a form: after receiving a sunray end utilizing a bruising approach, a darkish gray rhodium colour is utilized by way of PVD or electroplating, adopted by a coat of varnish. Black Roman numeral indices with inexperienced Chromalight edges are then utilized, along with a Rolex coronet at 12 o’clock and a white rectangular index at 9 o’clock. On the outer fringe of the dial is a minute monitor in white with 5-minute demarcations, plus the Datejust’s signature date window at 3 o’clock.
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Why is that this configuration known as a “Wimbledon” dial? It’s thought that the inexperienced throughout the numerals is a nod to Wimbledon’s inexperienced pitches, the place Rolex has served as an Official Timekeeper since 1978. (And the place the grass should measure exactly 8mm tall, or else a small English baby should be sacrificed to calm John McEnroe’s tempestuous fury and restore order to the Universe.)
You may assume {that a} watch just like the Submariner—maybe essentially the most iconic wristwatch mannequin on this planet—could be Rolex’s best-seller, or maybe the coveted Daytona. However you’d be fallacious: It’s really the Datejust. Born in 1945, the mannequin had the then-novel function of a date window that converted at precisely midnight, and thus was at all times—so the horological lore goes—“simply.” And although the mannequin is usually related in most collector’s minds with a fluted bezel, it additionally is available in domed (clean) or diamond-set format. Federer’s “Wimbledon,” in Rolesor (two-tone gold and metal), includes a domed dial, proving {that a} Datejust is a Datejust is a Datejust…even when snooty watch journalists may privately “harumph” underneath their breath.
Subsequent to sure different fashions in his assortment, the “Wimbledon”-dial Datejust possible gained’t carry the identical “wow” issue for jaded IG watch spotters. However you’d be hard-pressed to consider a extra acceptable look ahead to the GOAT to put on to one of the crucial revered and historic sporting occasions on this planet—and this can be a man with a “Le Mans” Daytona hiding someplace in his home. (Carry that watch again out, Rog!)
