David Beckham Returns to Toronto for an Evening with TUDOR Watches
Much has happened since David Beckham first joined forces with TUDOR as the brand’s Global Ambassador. In 2018 — the year after the relationship began — MLS officially approved Beckham’s expansion team, Inter Miami CF, which won the Leagues Cup just five years later. That same year, a documentary series centred around his life (aptly titled Beckham) received critical acclaim and five Primetime Emmy nominations. He’s celebrated family milestones, become an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, and, in short, expanded his status as one of the world’s most captivating public figures.
It’s rare for an athlete to maintain such resonance years after leaving their respective sport. And yet, with a combination of timeless style and constant reinvention, Beckham and TUDOR have effortlessly written their next chapter together. In a recent trip back to Toronto, Beckham spoke about his longtime relationship with the iconic Swiss brand, how his favourite timepieces have evolved alongside his life, and the secret to reinvention.
How do you feel you and the brand have changed and evolved alongside one another?
I think, as a brand, you always want to evolve. You have to evolve. But also, when you’re a brand like TUDOR, and you have the history that you have, you have to continue with the classics, but also add that modern twist, and TUDOR [does] that excellently. TUDOR has incredible timepieces that are classic and will live forever. But then they also have pieces with a modern twist.
As a company, as a business, they’re open to doing different things. You’ve seen the things that they’ve just been doing with my club in Miami. It’s different, but it’s gone down so well. So, they’re not scared of doing things in a different way, because they know that they already have that heritage and history.
What features do you look for in a watch?
It is very personal! Actually, watches have always meant something more to me. My first paycheque when I was at Manchester United, I wasn’t making much money, but my first paycheque was spent on a watch. So, they’ve always meant something to me. I always say that a watch really finishes an outfit. I was always a person that, whatever I’m doing, whether I’m going to the office, whether I’m going to the gym, whether I’m going for lunch or for dinner, my first priority is what watch I’m wearing, then my outfit kind of just molds around that.
Which TUDOR model do you have now that you might not have imagined wearing 10 years ago?
I’d have to say the Miami watches, the pink watch and the flamingo blue. I think that was a real surprise for people. When we came out with those, I think — I don’t know whether everyone knows this — there was only five made in the company. It was kind of just an idea that we came up with, and all of a sudden, they exploded. Everyone wanted one. All the watch collectors wanted this pink watch. I think TUDOR was like, ‘Okay, we need to go to work, and make some more.’ So, TUDOR became a lot busier. But I would say that’s the watch that I probably wouldn’t have worn 10 years ago but I do now!
How would you describe your style and how it’s evolved?
How has it evolved…well, I suppose [25] years ago, I was wearing sarongs, and now I’m not, so it definitely has evolved. I would have pushed boundaries a lot more when I was 20-25 years old, and now I let my children do it! My children, my boys, my daughter, they all push boundaries. But you know my style is really a classic style now. Even with my hair, I can’t do those crazy hairstyles anymore.
With your lifestyle constantly on the move, how do you choose a timepiece that fits every aspect, from travel, family, leisure to work?
I am lucky that I’m with a company that do incredible timepieces. But, you know, I talked about the Miami watches, but my favourite TUDOR of all time is Pelagos. I love the Pelagos ranges, and for me, even though I’ve got a Black Bay 58 on today, the Pelagos is something that I adore. And on every trip, I have a Pelagos with me. It’s the perfect watch. It’s a perfect timepiece because you can wear it going to the gym, you can wear it for lunch, and you can wear it [with] a suit in the evenings. It doesn’t matter. It’s one of those watches that just molds in and fits to every outfit that you put on and whatever activity you’re doing. So, the Pelagos is my favourite.
