In 2023, Nic von Rupp rode some of the biggest waves in surfing history along the beach of Nazaré, Portugal, his home country. This is just the latest in his series of achievements. For years, this big wave surfing legend has pushed the limits of his discipline.
Nic von Rupp was born in 1990 to a German-American father and Swiss mother and grew up in Sintra, Portugal. This international background sparked his curiosity for travel and adventure from a very young age. At only 9 years old, Nic began surfing and soon developed a competitive drive that led him to win national and international titles in the junior category, marking the start of his successful career. As a professional, Nic traveled around the world for the World Qualifying Series, where he distinguished himself with his talent – a talent that earned him the title of “European Surfer of the Year” in 2013.
As Nic’s experience and talent grew, so did his desire to take on increasingly daring surfing feats. He began chasing long waves around the world, often managing to ride the biggest wave of the day. His skill on the board drove him to tackle the ultimate challenge for a surfer: demonstrating his talent in the most dangerous big wave surfing competitions.
TUDOR AND NIC VON RUPP
Nic von Rupp has been part of the TUDOR family since 2022, when he started collaborating with the Swiss watch brand just before the TUDOR Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge. The athlete quickly solidified the partnership by winning the team performance award in the competition and earning a TUDOR Pelagos for his exploits throughout the day. Since then, he has never taken off the watch and has won numerous other accolades: for instance, he scored 10 points (the highest possible score) at Capítulo Perfeito, an invitation-only event that gathers some of the best barrel surfers in the world, eventually winning the entire competition. This is not to mention the numerous victories he has achieved over the course of his career at the XXL Big Wave Awards. In 2023, TUDOR teamed up with von Rupp to produce a film that explores what motivates him in his relentless pursuit of extraordinary experiences. The surfer’s approach is perfectly summarized in his own words: “In this game, there is no triumph without challenge. You have to risk everything and work hard every sunrise.” It is this unwavering dedication to the sport that has earned von Rupp his reputation for audacity and a leading role in the second season of the HBO documentary series “The Great Wave,” where he takes us into the world of those who fight to conquer the gigantic waves of Nazaré. When not riding giant waves, von Rupp dedicates himself to perfecting his craft on smaller waves. During Watches and Wonders 2023, the world’s largest watchmaking salon, the surfer was at Alaïa Bay, a surfing center nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, teaching aspiring surfers how to properly ride a wave, naturally with his trusty TUDOR Pelagos on his wrist.
TUDOR IS BORN TO DARE
TUDOR’s motto is Born To Dare. This claim is rooted in the brand’s history and affirms its current values. At its core are the stories of bold individuals who, with a TUDOR watch on their wrist, have achieved extraordinary feats on land and ice, in the air, and underwater. But the campaign also references the vision of Hans Wilsdorf, TUDOR’s founder, who decided to create watches capable of withstanding the most extreme conditions and suitable for the most adventurous lifestyles. Moreover, it evokes that pioneering watchmaking approach that has helped forge the brand’s reputation. By adopting innovations that later become essential benchmarks, the brand is always at the forefront of the watchmaking industry. The Born To Dare spirit that animates TUDOR is supported worldwide by high-profile ambassadors and partnerships – including David Beckham, Jay Chou, the All Blacks, the TUDOR Pro Cycling Team, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team, and naturally Nic von Rupp – whose successes stem directly from a bold and unique approach to life.
THE TUDOR BRAND
TUDOR is an award-winning Swiss watch brand offering mechanical watches characterized by refined aesthetics, extraordinary reliability, and a unique value-for-money ratio. The origins of TUDOR date back to 1926 when the name “The Tudor” was registered on behalf of Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex. In 1946, he created the company Montres TUDOR SA to produce watches with the same quality and reliability as a Rolex but at a lower price. Over time, TUDOR watches have been chosen by the most daring individuals. Today, the TUDOR collection includes iconic models such as Black Bay, Pelagos, Glamour, and 1926. Since 2015, TUDOR has been offering exclusive Manufacture mechanical movements with various functions.
