Rory McIlroy joins the elite ranks of consecutive Masters winners – and it wasn’t just the trophy that shone on his arm. On April 13, 2026, while lifting the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta National, the Northern Irish golfer did not go unnoticed due to the luxury watch he sported on his wrist: an Omega De Ville Tourbillon, a rare and exclusive piece valued at around $168,000. This was not an accessory chosen by chance for the occasion, but rather a personal symbol of achievement and ambition.
McIlroy joined a select group of only four men who have won the Masters two consecutive times – Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. With a final round of 71 strokes, he surpassed Scottie Scheffler by just one point, but it was the watch that drew attention beyond his performance on the course. “This is an Omega De Ville Tourbillon. Not many were made. It was a gift to myself after winning my second FedEx Cup in 2019,” he revealed, making it clear that this piece symbolizes more than just a mere investment in image.
Since 2013, McIlroy has been an ambassador for Omega, but the De Ville Tourbillon is not an ordinary watch among sports celebrities. Launched in 1994 to commemorate the centenary of the Swiss brand, this watch features a central tourbillon complication – one of the rarest and most technically advanced in watchmaking, designed to enhance accuracy by neutralizing the effects of gravity. Equipped with the manually wound calibre 2640, certified as a Master Chronometer, it offers a power reserve of three days and incorporates a Co-Axial escapement. The 43mm case is made from a luxurious combination of Sedna and Canopus gold.
McIlroy confessed that, despite being sponsored by Omega, this watch was a personal choice: “Omega is my sponsor, so I had been eyeing this watch for some time, but I wanted to give myself this gift after a victory.” This decision contrasts with what he wore in 2025, when he celebrated his career Grand Slam with the Omega Speedmaster ‘Silver Snoopy Award’ 50th Anniversary, an iconic model that accompanied him to victory at the Ryder Cup. While the Snoopy symbolized the relief of a long drought, the Tourbillon represents the fighter who now defends his title and status.
McIlroy’s relationship with fine watchmaking dates back even before his partnership with Omega. In 2011, when he won the U.S. Open at Congressional, setting a record of 16 under par, he was an ambassador for Audemars Piguet and wore the Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26300ST. In 2013, he switched from AP to Omega, and since then, each watch he wears symbolizes a distinct phase of his career: from the Speedmaster created for the record at Royal Portrush, to the Snoopy for the Grand Slam, to the De Ville Tourbillon that now marks major events, including the Ryder Cup.
In addition to its symbolism, McIlroy reveals a detail that shows how much he values this watch: “I probably wear it too often. It should be more special, but I like it so much…”. The undeniable proof of his attachment is that he had to have a different wedding band made so it wouldn’t interfere with the watch. “I have a platinum wedding band, but because of this watch, I had to make a different band. That’s how much I wear it.”
This gesture is not just a matter of sponsorship; it is a personal commitment. McIlroy purchased the Omega De Ville Tourbillon in 2019 to commemorate a victory that marked his career, and since then, it has become his inseparable companion. When he defended his Masters title in 2026, it was on his wrist – a clear statement that this piece is not just an accessory, but a champion’s talisman. Rory McIlroy remains steadfast, not only with the Green Jacket but also with the watch that symbolizes his journey and ambition in the world of golf.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
