Watches

TAG Heuer’s New Ambassador Is a Vocal Black Lives Matter Supporter

WatchesJan 20, 2021

TAG Heuer’s New Ambassador Is a Vocal Black Lives Matter Supporter

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka has an agenda on and off the court.

20210120_TAG.jpg
Tennis champion Naomi Osaka is TAG Heuer’s newest brand ambassador.

New York—TAG Heuer’s selection of its newest brand ambassador says a lot about how it wants to modernize its image.

The luxury Swiss watchmaker has announced 23-year-old tennis champion Naomi Osaka as the latest addition to its roster of athlete spokespeople.

The biracial, multinational player was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father and has lived in the United States since she was 3 years old.

Osaka went pro in 2013, and as her star rose so did tennis fans’ admiration for her down-to-earth and humble on-court nature, particularly evident in post-match interviews.

The young upstart is the first Asian woman to reach the number one singles rank and has gone on to win another two Grand Slams so far.

She’s found her voice in the process.

Last summer, she was the most visible Black Lives Matter supporter in her sport.

Her willingness to forfeit a match in the Western & Southern Open in recognition of Jacob Blake’s shooting led to the United States Tennis Association’s suspension of play for a day, an unprecedented show of solidarity for the organization.

Osaka told reporters at the time, “If withdrawing from a tournament would cause the most stir, then that was something I needed to do. I don’t feel like I am being brave, I just feel like I am doing what I should be doing.”

Soon after at the U.S. Open, she donned face masks emblazoned with the names of Black people controversially killed in recent years, and whose names became rallying cries for 2020 protests: Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.

Tennis legend Billy Jean King, an advocate for gender equality in the sport, remarked of Osaka, “She’s very quiet and calm, but internally she’s on fire and thinking about things. I really admire what she’s done. Sports is a platform, and women’s tennis, we are the leaders in women’s sports, and Naomi has really stepped up.”

Osaka is currently in Melbourne getting ready for the imminent Australian Open.

Expect to see her in TAG Heuer there and for the rest of 2021, including at the rescheduled 2020 Olympics, in which she will play for Japan. 

“I’m excited and honored to join TAG Heuer as brand ambassador,” Osaka said.

“It’s a partnership and friendship that exemplifies our shared mindset and values. The brand’s

trailblazing approach with their ‘Don’t crack under pressure’ motto speaks to the way I live my life both on and off the court.”

TAG Heuer CEO Frédéric Arnault added, “We are very proud to have Naomi join the TAG Heuer family. Her athletic record and commitment to excellence are outstanding but even more impressive is her passionate spirit and drive for advocacy, which is an inspiration to so many. We are excited to support Naomi as she kicks off her 2021 season and prepares for her Olympic debut.”

The watchmaker also recently announced the latest professional golfer addition to its cadre of athlete ambassadors.

Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Jewelry display
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be Taking

JSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.

Header - One platform_ total protection_ seamless shipping (1).png
Supplier BulletinSep 24, 2026
Ship with Confidence with JM Shipping Solution

Sponsored by JM Shipping

8.03 carat natural fancy light blue diamond
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry Auction

The fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry by Amy Azzarito
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry

“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.

Weekly QuizSep 24, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets and rings from Kira Jewels
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Dana Rebecca Designs Tennis Bracelets Campaign Imagery
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, Personalization

This holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The logo for The Diamond Collective, the new name for the Natural Diamond Council
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time

The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.

Paul’s Jewelers 7Cs Cafe
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7Cs

Paul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.

Kay Love All In campaign
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on Love

Part of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.

Jean Schlumberger’s Hedges and Flowers Necklace
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum

The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.

Pandora x Pat McGrath campaign image
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry Collab

The jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.

Texas Jewelers Association
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th Anniversary

The association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling 2026
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event Returns

The jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.

Pandora and Foundrae medallions
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court Rules

A federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.

The Retail Smiths Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional Selling

People aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.

Constance Polamalu
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' List

The Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.

Photo collage of new GCAL by Sarine lab in Mumbai
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in Mumbai

The facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.

NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Autumn Edition Imagery
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn Edition

The four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Cartier Cheich watch in white gold
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M

Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.

Pamela Bernstein-Gulla and Elle Hill at the Wynn Las Vegas
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to Retire

Bernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.

Bhindi Jewelers Glendale Store Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California Store

The relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.

Unheated Paraiba
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s

The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.

Photo from 2026 Jewelers of America Fly-In
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In

Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.

Nanis Sway Earrings
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror

Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.

De Beers Group’s SynthDetect 2 diamond screening instrument
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine

SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy