Our Watch Picks for the NFC South
For many sports fans, the best part of fall is the kickoff of football season. Nowhere is this truer than in the southeast, home to the NFC South division in the NFL. Since the 2002 realignment, they’ve boasted some serious bragging rights. It’s been the only division to have each of its teams make a conference championship game and Super Bowl appearance. In 2017, the NFC South was the only division with three of its four teams finishing with winning records. That year, each of those teams made the playoffs.
Needless to say, the NFC South is a force to be reckoned with. We may be a little partial because our home team, the Atlanta Falcons, is in the division. All bias aside, we’ve decided to compile watch pairings for each NFL team across all eight divisions. This week, we’re kicking it off with the NFC South.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team. Their early years were rocky, but they enjoyed a winning era in the early 1980’s. In 2002, they won their first Super Bowl, defeating the Oakland Raiders.
The Breitling Superocean is our pick for the Bucs. It not only incorporates the team’s signature pewter hue but also captures their nautical spirit. The Superocean was Breitling’s first venture into the world of dive watches. Since its debut in 1957, it’s been the brand’s top dive watch model. Additionally, this extra-sporty variation incorporates a PVD case and bezel, making it tough enough for the sidelines of any game.
New Orleans Saints
John W. Mecom Jr. and David Dixon founded the New Orleans Saints in 1966. Their first two decades of play were uneventful, and they didn’t have their first winning season until 1987. Just as their momentum started to pick up, Hurricane Katrina rocked the city of New Orleans in 2005. Their stadium, the Superdome, suffered flooding and other damage. As a result, they played their home games in other cities for the rest of the season. Their owner contemplated moving the team to San Antonio, but they completed stadium renovations in time for the 2006 season. Just three years later in 2009, the Saints celebrated a historic season. That year, they notched their first Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The Rolex GMT Master II is our choice for the Saints. The GMT Master II is a bold watch from the inside out. It’s equipped with the brand’s Caliber 3186 self-winding mechanical movement, boasting a 50-hour power reserve. The model’s extra thick case and large crown guards have given it the nickname “Fat Lady.” This particular variation of the GMT Master II showcases all the Saints’ colors. It features a two-tone gold and stainless steel bracelet and a black bezel and dial with gold and white accents.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons also joined the NFL in 1965 as an expansion team. By the 1980’s, they began to catch their stride. Over the next three decades, they would go on to win six division championships. The Falcons have made two Super Bowl appearances. First in 1998 against the Denver Broncos and again in 2017 against the New England Patriots. However, they’ve yet to secure a Super Bowl win.
As the Saints’ division rival, it’s only fitting we match the Rolex GMT Master II with the Falcons as well. One of the signature features of the GMT Master II is its iconic dual-colored bezels with affectionate nicknames. For the Falcons, we chose the red and black variation known as the “Coke” bezel. This version is not just apropos because it incorporates the team’s colors. The “Coke” moniker is also particularly perfect for the Atlanta-based team, located in the same city as the Coke headquarters.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a relatively new addition to the NFL. The league announced the team as the 29thfranchise in 1993. They started strong, finishing 7-9 in their first season, an all-time best for an expansion team. They were also successful in their second season, but after that, they didn’t have another winning season until 2003. That year, they reached their first Super Bowl but lost to the New England Patriots. The Panthers returned to the Super Bowl in 2015 against the Denver Broncos but, again, failed to score a victory.
The Hublot Big Bang is our pick for the Panthers. The Big Bang’s robust and sporty design is one-of-a-kind. It was one of the first watches to integrate a rubber strap, giving it a durable and rugged appeal. The King Limited Edition variation features a striking black color scheme with a ceramic case. Deep blue accents highlight the dial, perfectly representing the Panthers’ team colors.
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