Guests at a special anniversary dinner hosted by Deacons Jewellers were treated to an evening of sporting stories, television insights and watchmaking history as former British tennis star Annabel Croft took centre stage.
Around 100 guests gathered at Whatley Manor, near Malmesbury, for the event organised by the Swindon-based jeweller, which marked the centenary of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual – widely recognised as the world’s first waterproof wristwatch.
The evening’s guest speaker, Annabel Croft, shared memories from a career that has spanned elite sport and broadcasting, offering guests a glimpse behind the scenes of professional tennis and television.
Croft first came to national prominence as a teenager when, at the age of 15, she became the youngest British player in almost a century to compete in the Wimbledon main draw. She went on to become Britain’s number one female player before establishing herself as one of the country’s most familiar tennis commentators and presenters.
Drawing on decades of experience covering the sport’s biggest tournaments, Croft entertained the audience with stories from life on the international tennis circuit, while also discussing her more recent appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.
Guests were given an insight into the realities of taking part in the hit television show, with Croft sharing anecdotes about the challenges and experiences of life behind the glittering scenes of the ballroom competition.
The event also celebrated an important milestone in horological history.
Introduced in 1926 by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf, the Oyster watch revolutionised watchmaking by creating a sealed, waterproof case. Wilsdorf famously likened the design to an oyster shell, protecting its delicate contents from the elements.
Alongside the dinner, guests enjoyed a watchmaking workshop demonstration and had the opportunity to view a selection of the latest Rolex models as well as approved pre-owned timepieces.
Richard Deacon, Managing Director of Deacons Jewellers in Swindon’s Old Town and an authorised Rolex retailer, said the evening had combined luxury, history and entertainment.
“The evening was a wonderful opportunity to hear Annabel’s very entertaining and informative tales about what actually goes on behind the scenes, both in the world of professional tennis and in television,” he said.
“And Rolex watches are, of course, a luxury but they are also a great investment, whether new or pre-owned.
“Being surrounded by a wonderful selection of watches in the luxurious space in Whatley Manor and with a brilliant speaker made us all feel that it was a very special evening and a decent way of acknowledging 100 years of technical brilliance.”
For guests, the event offered a rare opportunity to hear first-hand stories from one of Britain’s best-known sporting personalities while celebrating a century of one of the world’s most iconic watch designs.
