TUDOR has a history of partnerships with various sports teams and athletes who embody the brand's slogan, "BORN TO DARE." Athletes excelling in fields such as rugby and motorsports dedicate themselves to daily training in pursuit of victory and their personal goals.

 

The Japan Sumo Association is now a TUDOR partner, marking an unprecedented worldwide partnership agreement for the association.

 

 

The origins of sumo can be traced back to the Kojiki in 712 and the Nihon Shoki in 720. Originally a ritual held annually to predict the year's harvest, it later became a court event that continued for approximately 300 years.

 

During the Kamakura and Sengoku periods, sumo flourished as a martial training for samurai. In the Edo period, professional sumo wrestlers emerged, and regular tournaments began to be held. It spread as popular entertainment alongside Kabuki, establishing the foundations of modern sumo. Rituals such as the ring-entering ceremony, the ranking list, the ceremonial apron, and the topknot have remained largely unchanged since this era.

 

 

 

This partnership was realized because the long history, tradition, and culture of sumo deeply resonated with the brand's philosophy, which values the spirit of daily discipline.

 

 

Under this partnership, TUDOR will honor wrestlers who strive for excellence through the presentation of timepieces, and will support the further development of sumo culture. Plans include the creation of advertising visuals featuring wrestlers, global information dissemination via social media, and wrestler participation in various events, all aimed at conveying the appeal of sumo to a global audience and future generations.

 

To celebrate the agreement, a "TUDOR × Japan Sumo Association Worldwide Partnership Announcement" was held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the day before the start of the May Grand Sumo Tournament, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.

 

 

Ozeki Kirishima, a three-time top-division champion, appeared as a special guest. Admiring the "BLACK BAY 68" up close during the photo call, Kirishima commented, "It's a very cool watch up close. It made me feel motivated to give my best again," expressing his renewed determination for the May tournament starting the next day.

 

 

 

At the subsequent reception, the significance of the partnership was reiterated, and this year's new models were unveiled. A reception featuring TUDOR's special chanko hot pot, made with Swiss rock salt and wine, offered a delightful fusion of both cultures.

 

Dezumi-oyakata, Director of Business for the Japan Sumo Association, commented, "What the Japan Sumo Association has carefully protected is nothing less than 'time, etched continuously through history.' We anticipate that this partnership with TUDOR, a brand with unwavering conviction and exceptional craftsmanship, will be a definitive step in conveying the tradition and allure of sumo to the world."

 

Shoyu Watanabe, Director of Business for TUDOR, stated, "TUDOR celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, but in the face of sumo's long history, we are still newcomers. However, we feel a deep commonality in our pursuit of innovation while preserving tradition, and in our spirit of continuous challenge. Through this wonderful connection, we aim to bring the strength and dignity of sumo, along with the allure of TUDOR, to even more people."

 

Sumo has a profound connection with "time," not only in its spirit and culture but also in its functional aspects. The officials who oversee the bouts always have watches in hand, making minute-by-minute adjustments to ensure that over 200 matches conclude precisely at 6:00 PM. This is related to the scheduling of radio and television broadcasts, but it requires such precise time management while preserving the aesthetic beauty of tradition. As a wristwatch is not merely an accessory but a tool demanding accuracy and reliability, there is a functional relationship between TUDOR and sumo that transcends spiritual resonance.

 

Reading the TUDOR x Japan Sumo Association Article

 

A.TUDOR has a history of partnerships with sports that embody the brand's slogan, "BORN TO DARE," such as rugby and motorsports. In sumo, the stoicism and humility of wrestlers dedicating their lives to daily training under strict discipline deeply resonated with TUDOR's daring approach to watchmaking, forming the background for this agreement. Furthermore, the lifestyle of wrestlers, who train to the extreme while preserving tradition within the closed environment of their "stable," aligns with the brand's philosophy as an embodiment of the "Spirit of the Daredevil."