Esports fans now have the chance to get their hands on limited-edition wristwatches inspired by one of the biggest games in the world.
For what is claimed to be the first time ever, BLAST and watchmaker TW Steel have teamed up to launch the products, which are available on a pre-order basis until Sunday (June 21).
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the game on which the timepieces have been launched with TW Steel coming up with two different options, both of which are extremely appealing. CS:GO was released almost a decade ago but remains one of the world’s top esports to this day.
The Volante watch has been made with a CS:GO-inspired map design etched into the watchface, while the Maverick Chronograph includes a Super Luminova Counter Strike-inspired crosshair. The Maverick comes with an all black design that also features a BLAST logo.
“We’re hugely excited to be able to join forces with TW Steel to offer the first ever esports watch. Counter-Strike and esports lovers will be proud to own and show-off a piece of gaming history while owning a highly functional and reliable watch that pays tribute to their favourite game,” said Leo Matlock, the commercial director for BLAST.
“BLAST has activated and teamed with a diverse range of commercial partners recently, which is testament to our ambition to become a multifaceted esports company – this innovative and industry leading collaboration with TW Steel is further proof we’re on the right track to achieving that aim.”
BLAST is one of the biggest sports organisations around, with the pair of TW Steel designs launched in order to coincide with the BLAST Spring Final events in Europe and America. You can follow all of the series included in the BLAST events on eSports tracking site eSportsy.
TW Steel breaks new ground with esports move
TW Steel – the company name stands for The Watch in Steel – was set up in 2005 by Jordy and Ton Cobelens, a father and son team. The company has signed up brand ambassadors including Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and racing driver David Coulthard over the years, along with the Scot’s fellow motorsport stars Mick Doohan and Dario Franchitti.
Watchmaker TW Steel also previously sponsored the Daytona DMAX Championship and has teamed up with former Formula 1 World Championship winner Nigel Mansell and triple FIA World Champion Petter Solberg in the past as well.
While motorsport has been a key area for TW Steel in the past, the decision to join forces with BLAST to create an esports-inspired watch design is a step in a new direction for the company.
Jordy Cobelens, TW Steel’s chief executive, said: “We are all about creating exciting moments at TW Steel so joining forces with BLAST is perfect for us.
“We share a passion for action and timing, we speak the same language. We’re looking forward to making a big statement together. When you see how we incorporated both worlds in our two special edition watches, I’m very confident we’ll create big things in the future.”
The watches that have been created by the initial phase of the new partnership between TW Steel – which creates designs that are known for their Swiss quality standard – and BLAST are available on a strictly limited basis from shop.blast.tv.
The ongoing BLAST Premier: Spring 2020 European Finals and BLAST Premier: Spring 2020 American Finals are due to come to an end this weekend. The event was set to be held in Moscow, Russia, but had to be moved online and regionalised due to the coronavirus crisis.
TW Steel and BLAST also announced the winners of the BLAST Global Finals will not only get $1,000,000 in prize money, but will be awarded a limited edition one-off TW Steel esports watch.
