Since 2015, Tissot has been the official watch and timekeeper for the European Rugby Champions Cup; known as the Investec Champions Cup for sponsorship reasons. They supply timekeeping technology to all stadiums staging matches across the competition. As well as this, they sponsor the match officials’ kit. Whilst this was originally only a five-year agreement, Tissot has extended their involvement and still supports the top-tier rugby union tournament to this day. Keep reading to find out how the Swiss watch brand is supporting the Investec Champions Cup for the 2023/24 season.
Tissot and the Investec Champions Cup
Tissot Downtime Strength Test
The media preparation for the 2023/24 season has seen representatives from each competing team offer their views on the upcoming competition. Alongside this, they have participated in the Tissot Downtime Strength Test. Utilising a punchbag machine, the players gave it their best shot to try and punch harder than their partners. Whilst this is fun to watch, there is some very clever product placement that needs to be acknowledged. Nearly all of the players can be seen wearing a Tissot watch on their wrist, and after a closer inspection, it is the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. But why are they wearing this specific model? The simple answer is that the PRX is Tissot’s newest addition.
Tissot Men’s PRX Ice Blue Powermatic 80 40mm Case T1374071135100
Though influenced by the past, the PRX watches manage to break through and offer something fresh and unique. The ice-blue honeycomb dial of this model features silver hands and indices; they are filled with Super-LumiNova to enhance readability in low-light conditions. A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal protects the dial so you can rest assured that if you knock your watch it won’t shatter. This, along with the stainless steel case and angular bracelet, provides the watch with great levels of durability. Thanks to the Nivachron hairspring, the self-winding Powermatic 80 movement delivers reliability and precision – it will keep your watch running for up to 80 hours. The PRX Powermatic 80 watch is a fantastic entry-level piece that will complement a range of lifestyles. Hence the players were wearing it for the Tissot Downtime Strength Test.
Tissot Try of the Round
EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) and Tissot have created a strand of online content that allows fans to vote for their ‘Try of the Round’. Every week five fantastic tries are selected and fans get to vote for their favourite. This is all possible due to the timekeeping technology that Tissot supplies to the stadiums. Without the clocks timing the game, the referees would not know when a try was scored. Therefore, having Tissot sponsor this vote is not only of great relevance but also a great way to showcase the reliable timekeeping that the Swiss brand provides.
Referees Wearing Tissot Watches
Referees play a vital role in a rugby match. Their decisions affect the outcome of the game and they need accurate timekeeping mechanisms to set these in place. A watch is an essential part of a referee’s kit. It helps them time any conversions or penalty kicks, as well as the duration of a yellow card.
During the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, many referees were seen wearing a Tissot watch on their wrist. The eye-catching red silicone strap has led us to believe it is the Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar.
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar | Red Silicone Strap T1214204705101
This durable T-Touch model embodies Tissot’s dedication to precision and high-quality products. The watch is powered by a solar quartz movement that has a power reserve of up to 6 months, meaning the referee can wear this watch for the duration of the tournament without worrying about it losing charge.
This timepiece features a black PVD titanium case and a ceramic bezel which add to the lightweight construction of the watch. If the referee is participating in an evening match, with low-light conditions, the luminescent markings on the bezel will aid their readability. There are a variety of functions on this watch that can be accessed using the low-energy MIP digital screen. A perpetual calendar and timezones alongside a timer and weather trends are all functions that will be greatly appreciated by referees; especially those travelling during the Investec Champions Cup. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot the watch on the referee’s wrist thanks to its red silicone strap. This is a clever piece of branding from Tissot, showing that they are aware of the fact that bright colours grab people’s attention more than dull ones do.
What did you think of the ways that Tissot is supporting the Investec Champions Cup? Will you be buying any of the watches seen on the wrists of the referees or players? Let us know in the comments!
