With the Paris Olympic Games 2024 just around the corner, we are gearing up for some great Olympic coverage during July and August and to get things started, we thought it could be fun to look at some of the sports that used to be in the Olympic Games but didn’t stand the test of time and the watches we would pair with them.
Underwater Swimming
The underwater swim competition combined distance and breath-holding with divers able to score two points for every metre they glided underwater (with a maximum of 60 metres allowed) and one point for every second spent underwater. The goal was to swim the 60 metres underwater slower than anyone else. The event was stopped as – being under the water – it had very little spectator appeal.
Zenith Defy Extreme Diver
The Zenith Defy Extreme Diver is up for any water challenge with its 600-metre water resistance and sporty looks. It comes in a 42.5mm angular titanium case that is fitted with an elegant blue rotating ceramic bezel. Powered by the El Primero 3620 SC automatic movement with 60 hours of power reserve, this is not only a watch you can trust under the water but one that can certainly provide that important “spectator appeal”!
Equestrian High Jump and Long Jump (1900)
We have all watched the show jumping at the Olympics, but did you know that in 1900, there were also high jump and long jump events for horses? In the long jump, the horses took off over a water jump with an inclined take-off, which was gradually moved further and further away. Unfortunately, no records exist for these unique 1900 equestrian events but it must have been quite impressive to watch.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41mm
These equestrian events require a watch that combines both performance and elegance and what better match than the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 with its silver dial and Oyster bracelet? Riders would certainly appreciate the 41mm case made from the brand’s Oystersteel, a high-performance alloy that is highly resistant to corrosion, and the comfort of the Oyster bracelet which would leave their hands free to master the reins.
Tug of War (1900 to 1920)
The tug of war was a regular feature at the Olympics between the years of 1900 to 1920 and countries were allowed to enter several teams called clubs, meaning that in some instances a country could win gold, silver, and bronze! This happened in 1904 when the US won all three meals, and again in 1908 when the UK did the same.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Orange Ceramic
We need something big and bold for the tug-of-war event, so how about this Hublot Big Bang Unico Orange Ceramic in 42 mm? This is a timepiece that is resistant to shocks and scratches, leaving athletes worry-free to pull and tug to their heart’s content!
Plunge for Distance
This event required swimmers to take off from a board positioned 18 inches above the water. The diver would glide face downward for 60 seconds without using their arms or legs. This event was cancelled because it wasn’t deemed “an athletic event at all”! The world record for the plunge, however, is an astounding 19.05 metres and was achieved by American swimmer William Dickey in 1904, a record that still stands today.
Ralf Tech Beast Electric “Original Black”
For this event, we need a dive watch that is going to add a touch of “cool” to the participants, so how about this Ralf Tech Beast Electric Original Black? It is water resistant to 3000 metres and comes in this stainless steel case with a black PVD coating. This is a watch that will make you look sporty even if you aren’t moving!
Croquet
Like the equestrian high jump and long jump, croquet only made it into the Parisian Olympics of 1900. This was obviously a year of sportive innovation for France! The French won all the croquet events, not only because they had a natural skill for the sport, but because most of the teams were French! Another fun fact is that it was the first sport in the Olympics to allow women to participate.
Trilobe Les Matinaux L’Heure Exquise
Here we have chosen a French brand, bien sûr, and a unisex timepiece to reflect this forward-thinking mix of the sexes. Released earlier this year, Trilobe’s Les Matinaux L’Heure Exquise features the brand’s signature moving rings that tell the time and includes the addition of a moon phase. There are six editions, all limited to 100 pieces, so each croquet player can pick their colour!
Poodle Clipping (1900)
So, there is a sixth event worthy of a mention, even if it wasn’t officially an Olympic event: poodle clipping. To test the sport, 128 competitors performed poodle clipping in front of a crowd of 6,000 spectators in the Bois de Boulogne Park, where the objective was to clip the fur of as many poodles as they could in two hours. The winner was Avril Lafoule who clipped the grand total of 17 poodles.
Reservoir Blake & Mortimer “By Jove!”
As the poodle is the national dog of France, we definitely need a French watch brand here, and one that will see the funny side of us pairing them with such an event! So, here we have chosen the Reservoir’s Comic Series and the Blake & Mortimer “By Jove!” timepiece featuring British scientist Philip Mortimer and his trusted friend Captain Blake on the dial. Unfortunately, no poodles feature in the series, but this pairing was always going to be a stretch! If anyone has any more suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out – sophie.furley@worldtempus.com!
Discover even more bizarre Olympic Sports in Part One of our series.
