The skeletonized version of McEnroe’s Rolex Submariner Date showcases a striking exposed with a meticulously hand-finished 3135 caliber.
Artisans de Genève, an independent watch workshop in Geneva, Switzerland, that customizes timepieces for private clients, recently completed a bespoke job for the one and only John McEnroe. A true tennis icon, McEnroe was certainly among the sport’s most notable left-handed players.
“I am a collector, timepieces have always been a source of pleasure for me,” says McEnroe. “My watch had to be above all beautiful, very beautiful, elegant and modern at the same time. I like to be on time, I don’t want to be late with a watch like this, you don’t have any excuses.”
Aside from the new skeleton dial, this Rolex Submariner Date sports several modifications. The steel bezel now comes with tungsten insert, while the original date disc gets a sapphire replacement. Running the show is a 3135 movement with some enhancements to adapt to the changes. A peek inside from the case back shows a tungsten rotor with an engraving of “John McEnroe” that reminds us of its unique nature.
The base model Submariner can go for a minimum of $8,000, but after Artisans De Genève’s modifications, the price has climbed to nearly $40,000.
McEnroe’s requirements:
- Crown repositioned to the left of the face, more amenable to a lefthanded player’s use
- Base model—a 40mm Rolex Submariner, no. 116610
- Unidirectional steel bezel with a tungsten insert in lieu of the usual ceramic
- A striking skeletonized dial against a black index coated with Luminova for visibility in the dark
- Sandblasted and polished Black Regate hands
- The rotor is made from tungsten and—of course—engraved with “John McEnroe”
- Artisans modified the Rolex 3135 Caliber, added beveling and skeletonization
- A sapphire date disc
- Sapphire crystal back
- Additional hand polishing and of course it was already water-resistant to 300 meters
