Cover Rolex Testimonees (fron left): Tom Kristensen, Roger Federer, Zendaya, Hannah Mills, and Scottie Scheffler
Rolex Testimonees (fron left): Tom Kristensen, Roger Federer, Zendaya, Hannah Mills, and Scottie Scheffler
1 / 1
From Roger Federer to Zendaya, their extraordinary stories are told in a Rolex docuseries aptly titled ‘Reach for the Crown’
Sport may be Rolex’s most visible stage, but it is far from the only one. Beyond icons like Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and Mark Webber lies a broader roster of Testimonees—artists, environmentalists, and cultural figures who inspire, create and conserve. Together, they reveal the breadth of the brand’s ambition.
While the applause and accolades steal most of the spotlight, the more interesting part of their stories is the climb—the grit and determination required to get there, the setbacks they had to endure, and the passion that carried them through.
Rolex has documented this in the Reach for the Crown docuseries, turning the spotlight on the relentless drive, quiet sacrifices, and defining moments that shape those who dare to pursue greatness.
Read more: Inside the Rolex Oyster Story exhibition in Shanghai
Above Rolex Testimonee Coco Gauff winning the US Open in 2023
Rolex Testimonee Coco Gauff winning the US Open in 2023
1 / 1
Take, for instance, Rolex Testimonee Coco Gauff, who stunned the world when she beat Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019—at just 15 years old! She couldn’t believe that she had triumphed over her idol, but the sudden fame came at a cost. Pressure mounted as she came under intense scrutiny. She suffered defeats that made her win over Williams seem like a stroke of luck. Gauff credited her grandparents, pioneers in their own right, for her perseverance. They kept her focused on her course. In 2023, she won her first Grand Slam title, the ultimate prize in professional tennis, at the US Open.
See also: Rolex marks 100 years of the Oyster
Above Rolex Testimonee and classical pianist Yuja Wang
Rolex Testimonee and classical pianist Yuja Wang
1 / 1
Rolex is also a great supporter of the arts. From Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron, whom Rolex accompanied on his deep-sea exploration to the Mariana Trench, to classical pianist Yuja Wang, who replaced Martha Argerich as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at 20—they are among the distinguished artists in the Rolex Family.
Wang’s performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra catapulted her to international fame. In the video, she shares her journey from child musical prodigy to virtuoso pianist—and in doing so, reveals how even a talent as extraordinary as hers is not immune to nerves, a vulnerability that makes her deeply human.
Read more: Rolex is helping cinema to build its legacy
Above Rolex Testimonee and photographer Cristina Mittermeier
Rolex Testimonee and photographer Cristina Mittermeier
1 / 1
As a conservationist and Rolex Testimonee, marine biologist Sylvia Earle has made it her life mission to protect the oceans and inspire others to do the same. Fellow Testimonee and photographer Cristina Mittermeier is doing the same—only she uses powerful imagery to inspire others to take action on climate change. One of the female photographers with the highest number of followers on Instagram, Mittermeier recounts how she has chosen the camera to be her tool of choice in her fight to preserve the natural world.
What unites these Testimonees is not merely excellence but purpose. Whether on court, in the concert hall, or under the sea, each has chosen to channel their influence towards something larger than themselves—inspiring others, protecting the planet, and expanding the boundaries of what’s possible. By telling their stories, Rolex is doing more than celebrate their accomplishments; it is a reminder that greatness is not measured by accolades alone, but by the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.
Watch ‘Reach for the Crown’ here.
Curated for you
The stories, profiles, and cultural moments featured on our Instagram feed
