The manufacture has become the global partner and official timekeeper of the Ladies Championship Gstaad a historic tournament in the WTA tour that is rising from the ashes, after having been a cornerstone of the international women's circuit for 66 consecutive seasons.
Hysek simply couldn't ignore this sign of destiny. At a time when the firm is preparing to celebrate its twentieth anniversary early next year, and has just announced Kalysta, the very first 100% ladies' creation in its history, Hysek has become the partner of the Ladies Championship Gstaad.
"We couldn't have dreamed of a better match in terms of both values and timing," says Akram Aljord, Hysek's CEO. "This is an independent tournament, just as we are an independent firm. It's part of a long-standing tradition, just as we are when it comes to the values of Fine Watchmaking that we're constantly promoting and refreshing. What's more, the Ladies Championship Gstaad stands for feminine distinctives as does our Kalysta collection, launched at Baselworld. The forum is that of Swiss excellence, whose values we also promote on a daily basis on the eve of our twentieth anniversary, coinciding with the launch of Kalysta. As ever, it's all been a question of timing, maturity, and knowing how to take the right opportunities at the right time."
The rebirth of a prestigious history
For 66 years, from 1917 to 1983, women competed against each other in the Bernese Oberland in singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches. The first edition of the Gstaad women's tournament was held in 1917, with the world champion competing. Later, several Grand Slam winners also went to the Bernese Alps to take part in this legendary event.
The prestigious competition came to an end in 1983, with the final edition of the women's tournament. The Gstaad tournament was a victim of its own success; lacking in space and infrastructure, it decided to keep just the men's matches.
The new tournament will be part of the WTA International category, and will be played on clay courts from July 9 to 17, 2016. For eight days, Gstaad will become Switzerland's tennis capital. Hysek will be present in a wide variety of ways: timing the matches on the courts; a temporary store in the tournament village; and displaying its name in all the venues, in particular at the gala and the final awards ceremony.
Thanks.