Victor Cruz—the New York Giants’ 2012 Super Bowl–winning wide receiver—is probably the most debonair fellow in the NFL (the 27-year-old has already made Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed List). And earlier this month he demonstrated a rare ability to marry high-end with street style by sporting his Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph to the super hipstery South by Southwest music, film and interactive conference in Austin, Texas.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
Cruz is a savvy collector—of both timepieces and sneakers. He flew in Austin to channel his creative energy by customizing a pair of blank Project C.A.N.V.A.S. (Can Visually Achieve Success) running shoes. Still, it was the black rubber clad bezel and sexy stainless steel case of his watch that stole the visual show at SXSW. Like Cruz’s retro jersey-and-skinny jeans combo, the Offshore updates elements from different classic casual looks—for example, the practicality of a tool watch mixed with the finish of Audemars Piguet’s signature Méga Tapisserie patterned dial. One of the secrets to Cruz’s fashion sense is that he always choosing clothes that fit (not easy for a football player), and the 42mm stainless steel case perfectly suits his 6-foot, 200-pound proportions, making the sporty styling of the Offshore look elegant.
Another thing that the dapper New York Giants wide receiver shares with this classic timepiece is that both made widely celebrated debuts—Cruz as a free agent in 2010 and Royal Oak with its groundbreaking hexagonal design in 1971. While Cruz’s watch collection includes everything from the limited-edition Shawn Carter by Hublot to the timeless Rolex President, judging by his Instagram feed, the Offshore Chrono is his watch of choice during the off-season.
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