International Women's Day: Six inspiring women and the watches they wear
International Women's Day is here on March 8, and this year's theme is #ChooseToChallenge. While we're all thinking of ways we can challenge gender bias and inequality, this is a great opportunity to learn about some truly impressive women who are breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations to succeed.
In 2021, there are plenty of inspiring women who are setting records and chasing adventure, and the watches they wear help them achieve greatness through technology and style. Discover six inspiring females and the watches they wear.
Alessia Zecchini
Alessia Zecchini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Alessia Zecchini is a record-breaking Italian free diver known as the 'deepest woman in the world'. She was a child prodigy in the world of diving, demonstrating exceptional natural ability early on, and has since broken nearly 30 world records and accrued a wealth of trophies across international diving, including 16 gold World Championship medals. In 2019, she even became the first woman to dive to 100m using only her arms.
Aquatic athletes like Zecchini use diving watches in addition to computer technology to assist in their endeavours. Diving watches are water and pressure resistant, so they can reach incredible depths without breaking or affecting their performance, and they have a depth gauge to help divers keep track of where they are. Because of their impressive tech and their bold, chunky designs, diving watches are also highly coveted by collectors.
Kim Kardashian West
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kim Kardashian West earned fame by being the star of a reality show, as well as the daughter of a famous lawyer and the best friend of a celebrity heiress. Kim is now a businesswoman in her own right, she even landed on the cover of Forbes magazine after the unprecedented financial success of her own eponymous mobile game.
Kim and her family are seen as the epitome of American wealth and status, always wanting — and getting — the best of the best. She is often seen wearing Rolex watches, perhaps the most popular luxury watch brand in the world, with a gold and diamond studded Datejust a particular favourite.
Dr Kathryn D. Sullivan
NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Dr Kathryn D. Sullivan is a remarkable woman and former astronaut. At university, she studied the floors of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, graduating with a PHD in geology in 1978. She then went on to join NASA, where she became the first American woman to walk in space in 1984.
Over 25 years later and after a lifetime of contributions to science, education, and public good, she visited the Mariana Trench and became the first woman to reach the bottom of the ocean in 2020. These achievements mean that Sullivan in is first person in history to walk in space and on the ocean floor.
For both of her most notable expeditions, she wore watches from Omega - a brand known for its emphasis on exploration. For her trips to space she took an Omega Speedmaster, a watch designed especially for use by astronauts. And, to plunge the depths of the ocean, she takes with her an Omega Seamaster, a diving watch that uses the top technology and precision to aid in underwater exploration.
Naomi Osaka
Peter Menzel, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Naomi Osaka is best known as a professional tennis player who is currently ranked #1 by the Women's Tennis Association.
Osaka was the first Asian woman to hold the number-one position in singles and the first Japanese player ever to win a Grand Slam event (the U.S. Open) in 2018, she’s also representing Tokyo at the postponed 2020 Olympic Games.
Her passion, coupled with her calm demeaner and impeccable style, are just some of the reasons why she was selected to be a Tag Heuer brand ambassador in January 2021, after winning the first Grand Slam of the year.
Rocío González Torres
Spanish Air Force F-18, Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rocío González Torres is a commandant in the Spanish Air Force. She was the first woman ever to finish top of her class in military pilot training and went on to become the first Spanish woman to log 1,000 hours at the controls of an F-18 fighter jet.
While training, she even completed an MA in Aviation and Airport Management and became a national champion in both fencing and the aeronautical pentathlon.
In 2019, when top aviation and luxury watchmaking brand Breitling were looking for a new ambassador, they chose Rocío González Torres.
Serena Williams
Edwin Martinez from The Bronx, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A former world No. 1 in women's singles on multiple occasions, Williams holds the most Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles combined of all current players, male or female, as well as four Olympic gold medals.
As a star athlete, Williams needs watches that are reliable and accurate as well as stylish enough to complement her fashion game. Williams has been an ambassador for Audemars Piguet since 2014 and is often seen wearing a Royal Oak in rose gold.
These are just six female trailblazers in the world today, and the watches they wear do more than just tell the time. Why not treat yourself this International Women's Day 2021 by shopping for your dream watch?
