Tom Brady is one of the most recognisable faces in the world of sport, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback having received plenty of acclaim for his achievements in the NFL.
In an exclusive interview with MARCA, the seven-time Super Bowl champion has discussed his relationship with the watch manufacturer IWC, as well as the pressure of sports, some elements of his life away from the field, and his much-anticipated return to the NFL.
Question: You have been an ambassador for IWC since 2019. What values does a brand need to have in order to be able to use you as its ambassador?
Answer. IWC is an incredible brand that I have been following and admiring for a long time. As an anecdote, it's funny that the first professional watch I bought over 20 years ago was an IWC, and I still wear it today. The designs are timeless and the company shows great leadership in its industry.
Q. You started your professional career in Boston 22 years ago, so you have seen a lot of watches released...
A. That's right. I started playing professionally 22 years ago in Boston, which is also the same city where IWC was founded more than 150 years ago. It seems that our paths have crossed since the beginning of my career. It's a brand that has all the qualities that characterise a successful sports organisation: there's a lot of discipline, a lot of hard work and a lot of determination to achieve incredible results. It has been an honour to work with them for all these years.
Q. Your personal collection includes two iconic models from the Swiss manufacture, the Top Gun Miramar Pilot's Watch Chronograph and the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar. Why did you choose these particular models?
A. The Portugieser Perpetual Calendar was a surprise from my wife for my 30th birthday, 14 years ago. I remember we moved into a new flat and had a big party on a roof terrace under construction. We had to climb five flights of stairs to get there and once we were there she gave me this unexpected gift that I always wear on special occasions. It was an unforgettable day. It has a lot of sentimental value and reminds me of many incredible moments in my life. On the other hand, I love the Top Gun Miramar. It is a watch with a strong sporty character that has probably become the watch I wear the most in my everyday life.
Q. Your fast-paced life is characterised by sport. What do you usually do outside the 120 x 53.3 yards of the playing field?
A. I exercise a lot. I love any activity related to water, cycling, golf and, of course, playing whenever I can with my children.
Q. Many say you are the perfect machine for sport. I mean, you possess the finest manufacture calibre in the world. What are its greatest strengths and which of your cherished timepieces would you highlight?
A. I don't know if I am a perfect machine for sport. The reality is that I have to work very hard every day. If I compare myself to the calibre of an IWC, it works perfectly all the time but I don't think I necessarily do. I have to work very hard to be at my best. It has always been like that.
Q. What is the main contribution you have made to your sport?
A. There is one thing I always try to bring to my sport: a kind of precision. Everything has to work at the same time for me to be successful physically, mentally and emotionally. It's important to be able to train, to play and also to achieve our goals.
Q. How do you stay focused under so much pressure and stress?
A. I always have to try to understand what my priorities are. I try to prioritise what is going on in my life in order to be successful. There are certain things that are very demanding in sport; there is a lot of pressure when it comes to performing in the moment and not having a second chance to change it and get it right. Being on the big stage, in a live event, you want everything to go as smoothly as possible. That sums up competition very well: you have to have a lot of concentration for a very short period of time when you have to perform at your best. I prepare as much as I can and do my best to understand what I'm going to be up against.
Q. I imagine that in your profession, control is one of the main words in your lexicon.
A. There are many things I can control and many things I can't. I try to focus on the things I can control in order to give my best to my teammates and to be the best I can be for our team and our organisation.
Q. As an IWC ambassador, I have to ask you: Are you punctual?
A. (laughs) I would say the answer is yes in general. During the football season you could say I am very punctual because every minute counts. But I would also add that when I'm not playing I'm less punctual, but I'm aware of what time it is thanks to the great watches from IWC. I would like to be on time more often during the off-season, it's something I really need to work on more.
Q. Time to wrap up. Good luck with your return to the NFL.
A. Thank you very much. Before I say goodbye, I would like to thank you for the interview and say it was a pleasure to have this conversation. Also, I must admit that I am looking forward to travelling to Spain. I have many friends in your country and it is something I will definitely do in the very near future.
IWC: Always a punctual ally
Top Gun 'Lake Tahoe': Exclusive chronograph, limited edition of 1,000, featuring a 44.5 mm white ceramic case and titanium case back.
Top Gun 'Mojave Desert': Made of sand-coloured ceramic with a striking military-inspired design. Powered by a Manufacture 52000 calibre.
Big Pilot's Watch 43 Top Gun: Black zirconium oxide ceramic case, titanium case back, black dial and hands. Calibre 82100.
Tom Brady: "I'm not a sports machine"
MARCA story: Much more than just the greatest
By Guillermo Garcia
"This will be the best decision of your life." With that phrase, a beardless Tom Brady introduced himself to Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, the team that selected him after 198 other players were chosen ahead of him in the 2000 NFL Draft. The greatest player the NFL has ever seen was not wrong, and that April, history changed forever.
Like the spirals he throws with his right arm, Brady's goal was clear: to be the best, even though he was not even seen as such during his time at the University of Michigan. Already in the NFL, ignored for six rounds of the draft, it was an injury that would open the doors of glory to him, doors that would never close again and still have not. Drew Bledsoe suffered a concussion in a game in 2001 and Bill Belichick, the man who valued him most, did not know that at that moment one of the most successful stories in sport was beginning to be written.
At the moment there are 22 pages in Brady's story, although he has already announced that there will be a 23rd, full of accolades such as his seven Super Bowl rings (more than anyone else in the history of the NFL), his three regular season MVPs, his five Super Bowl MVPs and a host of records - games won, passes attempted, passes completed, yards completed and much more - that will stand for a long time without anyone coming close. And to top it all off, a near-perfect image off the field as well. That's why he's more than just the greatest.
Many thanks to: IWC Schaffhausen, Replica Communication and Matthew Cannon.
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April 04, 2022 at 05:00AM
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Tom Brady: Im not a perfect machine - Marca
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