First up is the Rolex International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) Top 10 final, a unique competition that sees the world’s top 10 riders face off in a two-round jump-off. Then, as the culmination of CHI Geneva, there’s the Rolex Grand Prix. It’s the final event in the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, and is awarded to those rare riders who triumph consecutively in three of its four events: the Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen and the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters, in addition to CHI Geneva.

Real estate battle: Rolex just bought a Geneva building that houses Omega

The possibility of winning the coveted title is on for one rider, Martin Fuchs of Switzerland, following his victory at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters. A Rolex Testimonee, he became the only rider to win consecutive Rolex Grand Prix at CHI Geneva in 2021, after also claiming victory at the last event, in 2019.

“The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has completely elevated the sport,” he says. “Rolex has partnered with four of the best shows in the world and helped create an excellent series. This is the ultimate prize in our sport.

“Competing at CHI Geneva is always incredible, and winning in 2019 and 2021 was just an extraordinary feeling. Being Swiss myself, it’s always very special riding at a major that takes place in front of my home crowd.”

Wealthy travellers are flocking to ‘quiet luxury cruise’ Explora I

Fuchs, who says he’s never without his beloved Rolex Daytona Oysterflex, has been a testimonee since 2018. “When Rolex asked me, I was very excited and incredibly flattered,” he says. “Knowing that Rolex was interested in forming a partnership with me, it was one of the proudest moments in my career. I immediately felt welcomed into the Rolex family – you suddenly form a special bond with other testimonees as well as the whole Rolex group.”

Another repeat Rolex Grand Prix winner at CHI Geneva – in 2006, 2013 and 2015 – Fuchs’ fellow Swiss rider and Rolex Testimonee Steve Guerdat was also recently crowned the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) European jumping champion.

“The size of the arena and facilities at CHI Geneva make the show unique,” he says. “The show reminds riders to reflect on their growth and development. It definitely has a soul,” he adds. “The volunteers and their dedication to the show make the whole experience incredibly special.”

Horology queens: 8 female watch influencers breaking gender boundaries

A devotee of his Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, Guerdat says he has followed the brand for a long time. “When I was younger, I would watch the broadcast events and I kept seeing Rolex’s logo – I thought how amazing it would be to become a testimonee. I still remain extremely grateful that I am part of such an amazing family.”

Joining the pair as Rolex’s youngest equestrian testimonee is Britain’s Harry Charles, who rode in his first Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, and has since finished fourth in the FEI Jumping World Cup final.

“The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping has elevated the sport to another level, particularly in terms of prize money, prestige and the quality of events,” he says. “They host four of the best shows.”

5 of Leonardo DiCaprio’s most impressive watch ‘supermodels’

Recruited as a Rolex Testimonee while still a teenager, Charles admits he found the title intimidating at first. “When I went to my very first Rolex lunch with all the fellow highly successful testimonees, 19-year-old me was feeling a little bit out of place – but the experience really motivated me to work my way up, and now I feel like I’m very much part of the Rolex family.”