Meet England Rugby Player and Bremont Ambassador, Tom Curry

We sat down with Tom to find out what makes him tick, the moments that have really tested him and what it was that attracted him to British watch brand Bremont.

From winning ‘Player Of The Match’ in his first appearance in an England jersey, to becoming the youngest England forward to start an international for over 100 years, Tom Curry’s rise to rugby stardom has been meteoric. So much so that it’s hard to believe he is only 22.

THE TIMELINE

Famed for his gritty determination, technical aptitude and willingness to put his body on the line, Tom was the perfect addition to Bremont’s roster of inspirational ambassadors. Not only is he a lifelong lover of fine watches, but he epitomises the brand’s strapline ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’. Tom explains, “Being tested beyond my limits is something that happens again and again, and I think it’s crucial if you want to get better physically but especially mentally. It’s about being able to push yourself beyond where you’ve been before and where you are comfortable.”

Coming from a family of strong rugby pedigree, it’s unsurprising that Tom and his twin brother Ben, whom he plays alongside at Sale Sharks, started playing aged 4. Having grown up supporting them, Tom made his professional debut for Sale Sharks in 2016 at the age of just 18, and after a breakthrough season, made his England debut in an uncapped game against the Barbarians in 2017. Speaking of his selection, Tom said “It was bittersweet for me because my twin had to pull out due to injury, but that’s rugby. I had to get focussed and make sure I was ready to play and in the right headspace and Ben was a big help with that. I was on the bench, but I came on earlier in that game than I expected and running out onto the pitch is something I will never forget, but I had to put all that aside and play my own game. I play my best when I’m fully immersed, and that’s always been the case, whether it was for Crewe and Nantwich Under 8’s or now playing for England.”

For someone whose dreams were rapidly all coming true, Curry was very relaxed about the whirlwind start to his career. Speaking of his call-up to the Argentinian tour in 2017, he said “In hindsight, I was quite lucky that it happened so quickly and I was so young that I didn’t have much time to think about the enormity of it. When I came into camp, there were a few of us who were new and I think that helped with settling us in. We were also lucky to have senior players around like George Ford, Chris Robshaw, Joe Launchbury and Dylan Hartley who were able to guide us and direct us.” On that tour, Tom gained his first official England cap five days before his 19th birthday.

Known for his impressive work rate and his ability to put his team and the win above his own self-preservation, Tom is the type of player you’d want on your side. It’s that straight-shooting, can-do attitude that’s gained him a legion of fans both on and off the field. He has since received 23 caps for England, and his career continues to go from strength to strength.

TESTED BEYOND ENDURANCE

Like Bremont, Tom is always looking for ways to eke out even the slightest bit more performance. He explains, “My job is to get better every day and to do my little bit to try and make the team stronger. I write down what I want to achieve and always keep that in mind as a goal, but I like to live in the moment, and my main focus is just on getting that little bit better each day.”

He is a player who loves to graft, train hard and continuously push the boundaries. “In rugby your limits will always be pushed, but it’s about staying ahead of the curve and making sure you are getting better day by day so you can stay on top of the competition. That’s what’s brilliant about the England squad, everyone is pushing for every spot and pushing to make each other better for the sake of the team.”

When questioned about the moments in his career that really tested him, three occasions stood out. “Firstly, the pre-season with England last summer was just brutal! But I was also really pushed in my first test match in the intense heat in Argentina, and also when we were away against South Africa and there was this massive, hostile crowd and huge forwards. When your body is burning and your lungs are on fire, I think that’s where this mental strength and the ability to push through comes into play. Being tested beyond endurance is something that happens again and again, but it’s something that makes you a better person and player. It’s definitely helped me learn a lot.”

WHY BREMONT?

Like Bremont founders Nick and Giles English, Tom Curry’s love for mechanical watches was passed down from his father. “My Dad has always been a huge inspiration to me and was my coach from aged 4 to 16, and growing up he had an obsession with watches, and now my twin brother Ben and I share that passion. Watches have always been a part of my life.”

Bremont shares Tom’s almost obsessive commitment to continuous development and is credited for producing some of the world’s most robust and meticulously tested timepieces, something that initially attracted Tom to the brand. Explaining what he believes sets Bremont apart, Tom said “As a watch owner, craftsmanship, the quality of the engineering and the process each watch goes through is a huge part of why I like them. What I love most about my Bremont watch is the open back. You can see everything that happens inside and the engineering and the thought and care that has gone into it. I think it makes you appreciate it even more.”

Bremont set out with the aim of restoring Britain to the watchmaking powerhouse it once was, and has since made considerable investments in British manufacturing. All of Bremont’s design and assembly and most of their manufacturing now takes place at their state-of-the-art facility in Henley-Upon-Thames. This is another factor that attracted Tom “I think it is an amazing thing that watchmaking is returning to Britain with Bremont leading the way. Having a watch that is made here is something to be proud of, and it’s great for the country moving forwards.”

THE HOME OF ENGLISH RUGBY JOIN FORCES WITH THE HOME OF BRITISH WATCHMAKING

“When I heard that Bremont had got involved as Official Timekeeper of England Rugby and Twickenham Stadium, I thought it was the perfect partnership,” Tom explains. As a lover of watches, Tom not only appreciates the technical excellence of a Bremont but the fact that they share England Rugby’s core principles of endurance, precision and accuracy. He also credits the partnerships as being fitting because time is so important for every athlete, and the difference a few seconds can make is monumental.

Speaking of one of his favourite things about Twickenham, Tom said “It is an amazing place and the atmosphere is unbelievable. Running out onto the pitch and during the anthems is the only time you can fully embrace the atmosphere – once you are ready for kick-off, all you focus on is the ball, the posts and the rest of the players, so those few minutes before kick-off are really special to be able to soak it all up.”

Ever modest, Tom feels motivated by seeing his face alongside the likes of Ross Edgeley, Nims and Aldo Kane on the Bremont roster of ambassadors, almost as if he hasn’t quite earned his stripes yet. “The other ambassadors have done such amazing things in extraordinary circumstances, and that drives me to get up to their level and live up to that expectation.”

With his steely determination, undeniable talent and an unrelenting commitment to his sport, Tom has the potential to become one of the very best – the sky really is the limit.

DISCOVER BREMONT AT ERNEST JONES

Founded in 2002, Bremont is an award-winning British manufacturer of exceptionally high-quality chronometer tested watches. With their timeless design style, outstanding quality and a commitment to going above and beyond in their pursuit of technical excellence, Bremont has quickly become established as one of the world’s leading watchmakers. To learn more about Bremont, view the Bremont Brand Story. Or discover the different collections, see the Bremont Buying Guide. Alternatively, browse the Bremont watch collection online or visit us in-store where one of the team will be able to show you the range and answer any questions. You can even book an in-store appointment or take advantage of our virtual appointment service where you can speak to an expert from the comfort of your own home.