I don’t know about you, but after seeing Challengers, I’ve been on a tennis kick lately. Having discovered the sport late in life, I’m now ravenously consuming all things tennis. So when I heard that Maurice de Mauriac has partnered with Racquet Magazine for the next iteration of their Rallymaster, I had to take a look.
Like previous models, the Rallymaster III combines vintage elements with a clever eye for details, thanks to designer Carlton DeWoody’s playful touch points throughout the watch. With Wimbledon being the inspiration for this model (previous points of reference included Roland Garros and the US Open), there is a level of retro charm to this one that carries the theme throughout the watch. Most notably in this new reference, we have an olive-green dial that’s reminiscent of lawn courts and the use of 18-carat gold, giving the watch an overall elegant finish while still being playful. I’m particularly fond of the tennis ball indices and the seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock, which features 20 second increments (the traditional tennis serve time).
Finally, playing into British design language, DeWoody incorporates tan-colored straps to complete the ‘green over tan’ look, a favorite among British vintage and luxury car enthusiasts.
Of the overall design, DeWoody says, “I aimed to bridge past and present, reinterpreting classic design with a contemporary lens. The colorful sub-dials and patterning of yachting and racing dials were the perfect inspiration for the partnership.”
The brushed stainless steel case comes in at 39mm with a 12mm height, a perfect size for most wrists. The watch itself is powered by a Landeron 24 automatic Swiss movement with 25 jewels, operating at a frequency of 28,800 a/h and offers a 40-hour power reserve. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal, magnified date window, and 100-meter water resistance make the Rallymaster III as much of a performance watch as it is a style statement.
The Rallymaster III ships with both a calf leather strap and a “Textil flex” fabric strap, a sportier option for use when hitting a few balls. This is a limited-edition release of only 100 pieces, which, if previous Rallymasters were any indication, are likely to sell out. The watches are available for pre-order now via Maurice de Mauriac’s site and each Rallymaster III comes with a special watch box with a custom pink tennis ball. The retail price is CHF 2,200.
