- Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge commissioned Geneva-based Artisans de Genève to customise a timepiece honouring his entire career
- The watch features a rare Titalum® case, an alloy of titanium and aluminium, bringing the total weight down to just 57 grams
- Kipchoge drew inspiration from his Kenyan roots, with the colours and flag of Kenya threading through the entire design
Marathon great Eliud Kipchoge has unveiled a one-of-a-kind customised timepiece crafted in his honour by Swiss workshop Artisans de Genève, with the design paying tribute to his Kenyan heritage and record-breaking career.
Source: Facebook
The project, named "Feather," was shared on Instagram on October 26 and has already drawn widespread admiration from watch enthusiasts and sports fans alike.
Kipchoge himself reached out to the Geneva-based workshop to commission the piece, making it a deeply personal collaboration.
Features of Kipchoge's Rolex
At the heart of the customisation is the use of Titalum®, a rare alloy combining titanium and aluminium, which brings the entire watch down to just 57 grams.
The pursuit of lightness was a deliberate choice, directly mirroring the qualities that have defined Kipchoge's approach to distance running throughout his career.
The colours of the Kenyan flag, black, red and green, run through the design, grounding the timepiece in the runner's origins.
Artisans de Genève described the warm colour palette and Kenyan flag as "fundamental inspirations that guided the entire customisation process."
Kipchoge, who in 2019 became the first person in history to complete a marathon in under two hours, wanted the watch to serve as a physical record of his journey in athletics.
The piece is not a production model but a single bespoke creation made exclusively for the athlete.
Artisans de Genève noted that the workshop is independent and does not manufacture or sell watches, operating solely at the request of the lawful owner of any timepiece brought to them for customisation.
See the post below:
Fans react to the stunning timepiece
The reveal sparked excitement across social media, with watch lovers and Kenyan fans flooding the comments section.
@meetminutes.ke wrote:
"A great step ahead from @artisansdegeneve to @kipchogeeliud and Kenya at large."
@wade_ti commented:
"Black red green to remind kenyan flag ... brillant!"
@thefrenchrefill simply said:
"Sublime!!!!"
@craniotes added:
"You guys have outdone yourselves this time. Just… wow."
@radek_wojakproperties went into detail:
"OMG, just when you think it is impossible you have outdone yourselves yet again. Titalum - has it ever been used in haute horologerie before? I don't think so. So it's a first. 57 grams - do you even feel you're wearing the watch on your wrist? Fully delivering on your promise with this one - your creations are unrealistic and unrepeatable."
@luxurywatchmedia added:
"Incredible work again guys."
The post was liked by George K. Ruto and more than 8,000 others within 23 hours of going live, signalling just how much the reveal resonated beyond the world of horology.
Did Kipchoge win the Melbourne Marathon?
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Kipchoge’s victory at the Melbourne Marathon, where he set a course record and ended a three-year wait for a marathon title.
At 41, Kipchoge pulled away in the final 10 kilometres to secure the win, marking another stop in his goal to race on all seven continents and raise funds for his foundation.
Source: TUKO.co.ke