Golf watches the size of a wristwatch that could count your golf score existed in the 1980s, but none of them were practical. Founded in 2007, Yaman & Stübi took on this challenge. By not only making the counter easier to operate, but also increasing shock resistance, the company established the golf watch, a new genre, in the watch industry.
Photographs by Katsuhiko Kobayashi
Masamasa Hirota (Kronos Japan): Text
Text by Masayuki Hirota (Chronos Japan)
Yaman & Stübi TP11 & RCB1
Golf watches are now produced by a variety of manufacturers, but it was Jahman & Stübi who pioneered this genre. Entrepreneur Urs Jahman felt that converting yards into meters and counting strokes while playing golf was a distraction. He happened to meet watchmaker Pascal Stübi, and they began working on developing a watch specifically for golf that could be worn while playing golf.
This model features a golf counter unique to Yaman & Stübi. Using the button on the side of the case, you can measure your score up to 18 holes. The use of ceramic bearings in the moving parts ensures high durability. Automatic winding. 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 44mm). Water resistant to 50m. 1,210,000 yen (tax included).
(right)RCB1
A basic model without any complicated mechanisms. However, it does feature a shock guard to absorb impacts during swings. The dial features the colors of Brazil, the host country of the 2016 Olympics. Automatic winding. 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 44mm, thickness 11.6mm). Water resistant to 100m. Price: 572,000 yen (tax included).
The result was a completely new mechanical golf watch that could count strokes per hole, total strokes, and the number of holes played. While functionally speaking, golf watches of this type already existed, the Yaman & Stübi golf watch launched in 2007 was fundamentally different from anything that existed before.
There were two differences. One was that it was easy to operate, and the other was that it had to be highly shock-resistant so that it could withstand the impact of a shot. One of the measures to prevent shock from reaching the watch is the Shock Guard, which uses six rubbers to absorb the shock transmitted to the movement. This is similar to the system that IWC previously used in the Yacht Club and Ingenieur. However, taking into account the strength of the impact, the volume of the rubber was made significantly larger than in those models. Additionally, the levers that operate the golf counter were made thicker and larger to prevent the display from shifting due to a strong shock.
The Yaman & Stübi was later chosen as the official watch of St. Andrews Links, the birthplace of golf. This is not surprising, considering that, unlike previous golf watches, it was a watch that could actually be used during play. However, its high shock resistance, unthinkable for ordinary mechanical watches, should be a boon for non-golfers as well.
Contact info:Misuzu Tel. 03-3247-5585
