Celebrity Watch Hunting is a series of columns showcasing the watches worn by celebrities around the world. This time, we take a look at the IWC watch chosen by Tom Horvath, a former NBA player who led the Japanese national team to 26th place in the world rankings at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and has also attracted attention for his unique career as a coach.
Text by Yukaco Numamoto
Article published on June 2023, 9
Director Tom Horvath once applied to work for the FBI
The excitement surrounding the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, which took place in September 2023, is still fresh in people's memories. The man who led the team's impressive run was Thomas Wayne Horvath, also known as Tom Horvath. A former NBA professional basketball player, he served as head coach of the Japanese women's basketball team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, achieving brilliant results by winning Japan's first ever silver medal.
After graduating from university, he played for Sporting in Portugal before joining the Toyota Pacers (now Alvark Tokyo) of the Japanese League in 1990. He then returned to the United States and played in the NBA. After returning to Toyota, he transferred to the Toshiba Red Thunders (now the Kawasaki Brave Thunders) in 2000, where he retired.
He is known for his unusual career history. Although his job offer was postponed due to the impact of the September 11 attacks, he applied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after returning to the United States. He then worked for a private company while coaching high school basketball. He continued to serve as an assistant coach, and in 2017 he became the first foreign coach to be appointed head coach of the Japan Women's National Team.
The key to the women's national team's success at the Tokyo Olympics was "speed on both offense and defense, accurate three-point shooting, and tenacious defense." He continued this philosophy with the men's national team, and has continued to coach with enthusiasm, making the most of Japanese characteristics. Those who watched the games likely felt his powerful, strict and loud coaching even through the screen. "There is no such thing as a fun practice. The most fun thing is winning," says Coach Hovasse, who is also strict with himself. The countdown to the Paris Olympics has already begun for the Japanese men's basketball team, led by Coach Hovasse, who had previously stated that he would retire if he failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Director Tom Horvath loves the IWC Aquatimer Chronograph
In the 1960s, as diving became increasingly popular, IWC released its first diver's watch, the Aquatimer. It was water resistant to a depth of 200m and featured a rotating bezel for setting the dive time, which was placed inside the crystal to prevent accidental operation during a dive.
IWC has since released a number of robust and sturdy collections, including the Ocean 2000, a titanium case that can withstand water pressures of 2000m, which was developed in collaboration with Porsche Design, and the GST Deep One, which was released in 1999 and was equipped with a depth gauge, which have amazed not only enthusiasts but also divers.
IWC diver's watches have the functionality and performance of a full-fledged diver's watch, including a rotating outer/inner bezel with the SafeDive system and a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Not only that, but many of their designs also have a sophisticated appearance that makes them easy to use in any situation.
The Ref. IW376801 worn by Coach Horvath is a modern take on the original Aquatimer, featuring the Cal. 79320 movement with a power reserve of approximately 44 hours. The subtle yellow accents in the design give it a sporty, light impression. While this model is no longer available, it remains highly sought after on the secondary market.
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