Björn Borg - His love for the Rolex Day-Date

Every Rolex Tells a Story, Björn Borg (photo: Rolex)

Björn Rune Borg is the legendary tennis player from Stockholm, Sweden.  He was an unstoppable force on the world Tennis scene between 1974 and 1981 and became the first man in the Open Era to win 11 Gran Slam titles including 6 French Opens and 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles.  He won 3 year end championships and 15 Grand Prix Super Series titles. 

He owned the world #1 ranking in 1977-1980 and was runner up in 1975, 1976, and 1981.  He still owns 7 all-time records - demonstrating his dominance including a 92.7% win percentage at Wimbledon, 41 consecutive match wins (another record) and an 89.8% Major winning percentage which still stand today.

Borg after winning Wimbledon  Photo: Rolex

He had two major rivalries - early on with Jimmy Connors, and more famously later in his career with John McEnroe, with whom he created a life-long friendship.  He became maybe the first tennis rock star with his long hair and beard - hounded constantly by fame and press.  He retired at the young age of 26 at the top of his game after nearly missing taking home his 6th Wimbledon - making many to wonder how much magic he could have rendered in the years to come and how many more majors he could have won had he continued.

Borg helped change the way tennis would be played.  He had a powerful ground stroke with heavy top spin.  Yet his exceptional athleticism helped power his dominance, especially on grass courts.  He showed great grace under pressure and calm demeanor which earned him the nickname "Ice Man."

Rolex Day-Date 36 worn by Tennis Legend Björn Borg (photo: Rolex)

Borg stated that he loved the Green Rolex Day-Date, particularly because it came out on his birth year 1956 and that it represents his personality and what he stands for - greatness.  Years later he still funnels his greatness into his current and popular self-named fashion label.

This model is the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36mm in yellow gold with green dial on black leather shown in the photo. This is the most traditional size for the model, much smaller than today’s popular 40mm model. The original Day-Date introduced the President bracelet in 1956. However, the leather strap configuration is more tied to wristwatch models of that era. The combination of green and yellow gold is a nod to the watchmaker’s corporate colors. An aperture at 12 o’clock displays the day of the week spelled out completely, a design element that also originated on this iconic model.

The Day-Date 36 uses a calibre 3155 self-winding mechanical movement and is a certified Swiss chronometer.  The crystal is a scratch-resistant sapphire with a cyclops lens over the date.  It is water resistant to 330 feet.  It has a power reserve of approximately 48 hours.  

The 2017 Rolex Day-Date 36 (Reference #118138) is available in yellow gold with a green dial and either the cognac leather strap shown above or a green leather strap.

2017 Everose Gold Rolex Day-Date 36 (Reference #118135) 

It is also available in Everose gold with a black leather strap in a variety of dial color options, like the chocolate brown Day-Date 36 configuration (Reference #118135) shown above. Visit rolex.com to browse their entire collection of 2017 Day-Date configurations. 

 yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 36

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