Photo courtesy Omega
For nearly a decade, professional golfer Rory McIlroy has served as a brand ambassador for Swiss watchmaker Omega. For the linksman, it is a partnership that runs like clockwork on many different levels.
Indeed, while McIlroy’s appreciation of timepieces may be obvious—it’s nearly impossible to spot him on the green without sporting one of Omega’s signature pieces—his involvement with the brand largely hinges on his being part of a forward-thinking company, comprised of like-minded people with a shared passion for esthetics, precision, and timing.
Jewellery Business caught up with McIlroy for our upcoming watch issue to learn more about his history with the company and discover why his relationship with the brand is—for lack of a better term—a ‘hole in one.’
Check out the excerpt below.
Jewellery Business: What appeals to you in a watch? Is it about the technology or the look?
Rory McIlroy: I would definitely say both the look of a watch and its technology (or movement) are of equal importance to me. As watches and watchmaking increasingly become more and more of a passion of mine, I feel a great-looking timepiece is only complete when the watch’s internal technology is of the highest standard.
After my FedEx Cup win in 2019, I treated myself to an Omega Tourbillon. This is truly a beautiful and rare piece, but the real meaning to me is in the watch’s detail, craftsmanship, and all that is going on in the inside. My appreciation of the Tourbillon is about the hands-on traditional craft of watchmaking—the years of knowledge and exhaustive attention to detail that goes into such a unique timepiece.
To read our complete conversation with Rory McIlroy—and to find out what it was like for him to help design the Omega’s Seamaster Aqua Terra ‘Ultra Light’—be sure to check out our July issue!
