Formula has always been associated with money, luxury, fame and all the good things in life as well as unerring precision and split-second accuracy.
Apt only then that iconic Swiss watch maker Rolex is now the official F1 time keeper from next season. Terms of this mammoth five-year deal have not yet been disclosed but sources estimate that it could be worth anywhere around €20m a year. Speaking to the media Arnaud Boetsch, director of communication and image, Rolex, said, “We are aware of this, but the reason we want to be involved with F1 is not due to individuals, but because of what the sport has achieved over the last 15 years. The drive for technical excellence and precision by the technicians and drivers in F1 is the same as with our jewellers.”
Rolex, who have been associated with Wimbledon tennis, and international events in yachting and golf, replace Hublot as the new official F1 timekeeper. This sponsorship gives Rolex prominence at grand prix circuits and at key track positions during races. Speaking to the media F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone said, “this is the deal we have been waiting for and are very excited about it.” The Swiss watchmakers have long been associated with motorsports but they have never before sponsored F1. Rolex sponsored Sir Malcolm Campbell when he broke the world landspeed record in 1935, and former F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart as well.
