As the world rugby tournament is about to begin, Bulgari, official sponsor to the All Blacks, has honoured the longest-serving players and management in the legendary New Zealand team by presenting them with a special commemorative watch.
The four current players in the All Blacks squad who have played 100 or more Test matches have received the special Octo All Blacks 100 Club watch to mark this exceptional achievement. Bulgari also recognised a further 12 members of the current All Blacks management team who have officiated at over 100 Test matches.
The four players, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Daniel Carter and Keven Mealamu were presented with their watches at a special event in London, with New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew, All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen, All Blacks Manager Darren Shand and Assistant Manager Gilbert Enoka also in attendance.
Featuring amongst the elite in their respective areas, Bulgari and the All Blacks have for the past four years been pursuing a partnership celebrating their common denominators: high performance, charisma and excellence.
Each of the watches awarded to the All Blacks is personalised on the sapphire crystal case-back with the initials of the player as well as their All Blacks number. The centre of the smoked sapphire crystal features an historical silver fern leaf motif, which is the All Blacks emblem, along with the year 1905, the year the famous All Blacks “Originals” team undertook their ground-breaking tour of North America and Europe.
The case with its 110 facets, 41.5 mm opening and 10.60 mm thickness, is adorned with a Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating, perfectly corresponding to the black jerseys of the All Blacks.
Like top rugby players, the heart of power and high performance lies in the movement. That of the Octo All Blacks 100 Club derives its precision and excellence from the finest Swiss manufacturing traditions. Developed and assembled by hand in the Swiss Jura, the 28-jewel mechanical self-winding BVL 193 calibre measures time with a precision of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and guarantees a 50-hour power reserve.
The dial displays a Maori mask, imprinted like a tattoo on the background and designed by Maori carver Tana Salzmann.
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