From the battlefield to the sports field, from ancient Greece to the twenty-first century, horses and humans are intertwined. Certain watch brands have recognised the values they share with the equestrian world. In this article, WorldTempus has picked five watches that illustrate the characteristics and values of five equestrian disciplines.
Dressage – Beauty and control
General Alexis L’Hotte, a nineteenth-century cavalry officer, set out the principles of dressage in three words: calm, forward, straight. Before L’Hotte, evidence that the ancient Greeks trained horses (“dressage” is the French word for training) for battle and sport coincides with a period of philosophical inquiry into art and aesthetics. In modern-day dressage, the synergy between horse and rider is one of trust, agility, lightness and grace. At Hermès - a company which began life as a saddle-maker and continues to equip both rider and mount - horses are never far away. The form of the Galop d’Hermès is modelled on that of a stirrup. Proposed as several versions, with Arabic numerals, it offers comfort and style. Such elegance and ease make it the ideal watch to wear at a dressage competition.
Show jumping – Up and away
Any reference to show jumping must include the most famous watchmaker of all. Rolex’s association with all things equestrian began in 1957 and has never faltered. Confirming its dedication to the sport, the brand is the founding partner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which comprises the four Majors. Top-tier riders from around the globe vie to join the ranks of contenders and win these most coveted trophies: a masterstroke for the brand in its quest to support excellence in equestrianism. A discipline that demands agility, balance, speed and control, show jumping unites horse and rider in a race against the clock. Legendary Swiss showjumper and a Rolex Testimonee since 2012, Steve Guerdat has ridden to victory in multiple prestigious events and is frequently seen wearing his 18k rose gold Cosmograph Daytona; a symbol of dedication and excellence.
Polo – Precision meets elegance
Modern polo originated in India, where it was discovered by British officers who took it to other Commonwealth nations, later spreading to the rest of the world. Long considered a sport for royalty and the nobility (because it requires ownership of a horse), polo was popularised in the late 1800s. Even so, a polo match remains a society event whose importance has not escaped Cartier. Since 1985 the Parisian firm has cemented numerous partnerships with polo around the globe and is the sponsor of the Cartier Queen’s Cup tournament, held annually at Windsor Great Park and enjoyed by elegantly attired guests wearing Cartier watches and jewellery. For an event that marries tradition and sophistication, the iconic Tank is a judicious choice.
Flat racing – First past the post
A packed racecourse paved the way for the ongoing collaboration between watchmakers and riding. The case of Longines’ first chronometer, from 1878, was engraved with a jockey and his mount; a reference to the brand’s connection with the equestrian world. Indeed, Longines supplied the first chronograph movement for timing horse races, recording the precise moment when these thoroughbreds thundered past the finishing post. Longines remains an important name in equestrian sports as the Official Timekeeper of the Fédération Équestre Internationale and as partner to numerous organisations and events, including France Galop, the parent company of flat racing in France. A watch whose lightness is that of a champion jockey is the DolceVita X YVY. Modelled on a bridle, its leather strap comes in a range of three colours that allude to a horse’s coat. This quartz watch channels an equine vibe in a statement design.
Ethology – In unison
Less familiar to the general public but revered by horse lovers, equine ethology is built on a harmonious, trust-based relationship and has, over time, become a way of life for many riders. Whether the rider is on the ground or in the saddle, every interaction is based on understanding, never submission. In its highest form, equine ethology is an art in which the horse’s power and grace come to the fore in dynamic groundwork and haute école figures. Powered by the UN-815 automatic movement, the Classico Horse by Ulysse Nardin is decorated with two galloping stallions in a dance worthy of the most beautiful ethological spectacles.
These are not the only brands to have embraced the excellence and perfection that emerge from the union between horses and humans. As a partner or through an ambassador, Zeénith, Richard Mille, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Chopard, Piaget and Hublot also have ties with the equine world.
