FASHION
JORG GRAY
Unveils Limited-Edition CLINT DEMPSEY Watch
Clint Dempsey wears his signiture Jorg Gray timepiece
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| LOL-LA.COM |
There aren’t many accessories more popular in the men's fashion world at the moment than a good watch. And in terms of sports, it’s difficult to find a game more popular at the moment than soccer. Fresh off the success and record popularity of the U.S. men’s soccer team at this year’s World Cup, Tustin-based luxury watch company Jorg Gray has teamed with American soccer superstar Clint Dempsey to bring a one-of-a-kind, limited-edition watch inspired by Dempsey himself. In a phone interview with Dani M. Rothenberg, Director of Sales and Marketing for Jorg Gray, he shares several of the inspirations and goals behind the making of the watch – of which only 1,000 were made. “We’re a young American brand based in California,” says Rothenberg. “When we selected our brand ambassadors, we really focused on selecting young Americans who are excelling on a global scale – essentially what we’re trying to accomplish as well.” Aside from Dempsey, the company also has a partnership with 21-yearold San Clemente native Connor De Phillippi, who competes in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany as a Porsche Junioren driver. In less than six years of existence, Jorg Gray has managed to make a notable imprint on the time piece industry. Rothenberg says that the company’s goal is simple: to make quality watches with top-tier design and to grow alongside their brand ambassadors, such as Dempsey. “The way the brand originally started was as a private label,” he says. “We got our claim to fame when we designed our watch for the U.S. Secret Service, who then gifted it to – at the time – Senator [Barack] Obama, as he was running for President. [It has continued] to be his watch of choice since he’s been in office. So internationally and in the U.S., Jorg Gray’s claim to fame is that it started as the watch of the President, the watch of the U.S. Secret Service, which [it still is] today.” When asked specifically about the reason behind Jorg Gray’s partnership with Dempsey, Rothenberg says, “He’s the captain of the U.S. national team. He’s the face of U.S. soccer, which obviously is a global sport. So everything he represents, down to his actual personality. You know, he’s very bold, very fashion-oriented and he likes to look good.” The watch itself is very soccer-inspired. It comes with a 45-minute time display – which is the length of a half in a soccer game – along with an embossed soccer ball on the case of the watch. It also comes with Dempsey’s signature, as well as his nickname, “Deuce,” on the display of the watch. “We [and Dempsey] kind of went back and forth in terms of the de sign,” says Rothenberg. “He was a big fan of [the color] black, the way we designed the bezel on the watch and then all the way to the soccer ball on the back to the stoppage timer along the side of the watch …Obviously he wanted a chronograph and something that looked very manly and sporty. “He was in love with it [when he first saw the watch, he] couldn’t take it off. [He] ordered quite a few for himself and his friends. I was with him over in England last year when he was still in Totten ham, and he was very proud of the watch.” The watch comes at a retail price of $795 and can be purchased locally at Feldmar Watch Co. (9000 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles) or online at feldmarwatch.com/timepieces/Jorg-Gray/. For more information, visit jorggray.com. -Francisco Reyes
| J ULY•2014 |