Home » Rolex is celebrating its 41st year in business in conjunction with The Open.

“I never wore a watch while playing golf, but as soon as I finished, I put it on. The first things I went looking for were my watch and wallet. When I raise a trophy or travel and someone takes a picture of me, my watch is always there because it is a part of me, no matter where I go.”

Gary Player assisted Jack Nicklaus in selecting the most important watch of his life, an 18-karat yellow gold Rolex Day-Date, in 1966. In 1967, the watch was presented to Nicklaus. Since then, it has traveled with him all over the world, serving as a notary public for his accomplishments and bearing testimony to his status as the greatest golfer of all time.

Not only did he wear it exclusively, but it was the only Swiss-made timepiece he owned during his professional life. He only recently decided to stop wearing the wristband for a very specific purpose. The Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, founded by the “Golden Bear” opted to use the earnings from the auction to help sick children.

One of the greatest players of all time, Jack had a Rolex on his wrist throughout his career. In addition to Nicklaus, numerous other Open champions are members of the elite Rolex family. Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods, or Jordan Spieth are some of the greatest golfers of all time.

These are only a few examples of its work.

The Open, a Rolex-sponsored event

For the past 41 years, Rolex has been a part of The Open, the oldest “major” in the world. Beginning with Arnold Palmer, the first “Testimonee” the Swiss firm began working with golf in 1967.

Several big athletic events, as well as their stars, have adopted the brand as their official timepiece and key partner since then. The oldest golf course in the world, St. Andrews, will host the British Open this year, and Rolex will be there, as it has on previous occasions.

For as long as the Open Championship is played, it will be remembered as one of the most storied sporting events in history. As a result of these shared ideals, Rolex has a special relationship with the sport of golf. These values include respect for tradition, responsibility, technical accuracy, elegance of movement, and a dedication to future generations.

When it comes to the sport itself, Rolex and golf are now working together in a variety of ways: with the sport’s governing bodies and global rankings as well as with the likes of the great personalities of international golf.