The Big Game 2019 – Our Picks for Player’s Wrists

This Sunday is the big game. This year, we’re especially excited because it’s all going down in our hometown, Atlanta, Georgia. The reigning Super Bowl champions, the Patriots, will be taking on the Los Angeles Rams. It’s football’s biggest matchup of the season.

At Crown & Caliber, we certainly love sports and embrace our city pride. However, we’re still loyally devoted to one thing and one thing only: watches. Even leading up to what may be the best Sunday of 2019, we couldn’t get watches off our minds. So, we got to thinking: what would our picks be for some of the coaches and star players? Which would they be into? Here, we’ll share our matchups – let us know if you agree!

THE PATRIOTS

Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick has been the head coach of the New England Patriots for nearly two decades. He’s led the Patriots to some of their best seasons and many consider him one of the best coaches of all time. Despite the power, strength, and decisiveness of his coaching, Belichick is a pretty simple guy. His old, worn Patriots sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off has become iconic. So, we figured for a watch – straightforward on the outside and complex on the inside. We think he’s best represented by the IWC Mark XI. This vintage and entry-level model from IWC is time-tested. The brand originally developed the model for military use, so it has a rugged and sturdy exterior. Under the hood, you’ll find the ultimate precision of the IWC brand. It’s equipped with the renowned Caliber 89 movement.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady needs no introduction. Like Belichick, many credit him to the Patriot’s unshakable domination over the past twenty years. He’s quite possibly one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. Plus, as watch nerds, it’s hard to separate Brady from TAG Heuer. He’s been an ambassador for the brand since 2015, and his model of choice is most often the Carrera. We think the Carrera is a fitting model for the star player. Like Brady has been to the Patriots, the Carrera has been crucial to TAG Heuer. When Techniques d’Avant Garde acquired the Heuer brand, the Carrera was one of the first models they revived. It wasn’t long before it became a mainstay of the brand’s catalog.

Sony Michel

Sony Michel is new to the NFL, but he’s already making waves. The 2018 season was his rookie year with the Patriots, but as Atlanta natives, we’re no stranger to his skills. Michel played college football at the University of Georgia. In Sunday’s big game, he’ll match up against his former college teammate, Todd Gurley. Michel is a quick and shifty running back. We think the nickname “Speedy” would be quite apropos for the up and coming player. So, of course, he embodies none other than the Speedy itself: the Omega Speedmaster.

Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski knows how to work hard and play hard. On the field, he’s a beast. He’s shattered his elbow so many times he has to wear a futuristic brace. It makes him appear half man, half robot. But off the field, he’s the life of the party. If he were a watch, we knew it’d be something bold. That’s why we chose the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. The Offshore is a kicked up version of the iconic Royal Oak with a design that’s equally controversial and beloved. This robust model measures a whopping 42mm and packs a punch with the brand’s Caliber 3126/3840 movement.

THE RAMS

Sean McVay

Sean McVay is the youngest NFL head coach to lead a team to the Super Bowl. Many consider him an offensive genius. He’s developed his line to run like a balanced, well-oiled machine. They know how to put major points on the board. The novelty, mystery, and potential in McVay’s coaching style immediately led us to the Nomos Club Datum. Nomos is a relatively new player in the luxury watch industry. In a short time, they’ve caught the attention of the watch community and become a worthy competitor among established brands.

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley has been admired by fans, coaches, and fellow players throughout his college and professional career. For two consecutive seasons, he’s received top honors in the sport. In 2017, he was Offensive Rookie of the Year, and in 2018, he was NFL Offensive Player of the Year. When we think of a watch that’s equally loved and honored by all, we think of Rolex. No other Rolex model is quite as universally popular as the Submariner. Its design is instantly recognizable among watch nerds and industry veterans alike.

Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald is a stout defensive tackle who can stop any run that comes his way. He alone creates a giant wall in the Rams’ defensive line. Plus, when duty calls him to move and make a play, he’s remarkably fast for his stature. When we picture him with a watch, we see the Breitling Avenger II. The Avenger features a robust build, measuring an impressive 43mm. Inside is a highly precise and durable Caliber 13 self-winding chronograph movement.

Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh is also a dominant force on the field. In college, he almost single-handedly accounted for Nebraska’s win over Texas in the 2009 Big 12 Championship game. The heat he brings to the game hasn’t slowed down in his professional career. Like his teammate Donald, we think he’d be into a watch power, size, and a little something special. So for Suh, we imagine him as the Hublot Big Bang Black Magic. The Big Bang is bold, innovative, and totally one-of-a-kind. It not only measures 44.5mm in diameter but a whopping 14.5mm thick. The black magic edition features a unique sleek and stealthy color scheme.