Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet kicks off 2026 with a new tennis-inspired Rallymaster with a difference
Tom Austin- The Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV is the latest instalment in a series of tennis-inspired watches, made in collaboration with Racquet magazine.
- Exploring the darker, electrifying excitement of nighttime tennis matches, the Rallymaster IV, designed by Carlton DeWoody, features a black PVD case, alongside vibrant neon dial accents.
- Just like the previous editions, the Rallymaster IV is limited to 100 pieces, and is available from the Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio in Melbourne, only during the Australian Open fortnight.
After the excesses of the holiday season and into the strange purgatory that is January, what better way to kick the new year into gear than with a spot of tennis? Well, just in time for the Australian Open, which has just got going, Maurice de Mauriac has just released their latest tennis-inspired Rallymaster, the Rallymaster IV. Like the previous iterations, the Rallymaster IV is designed by Carlton DeWoody and is released in conjunction with Racquet magazine, the cult-hit quarterly tennis publication. Unlike the earlier models’ pastel-like tones, the Rallymaster IV takes on a completely new, bold look, thanks to a black PVD case paired with vibrant neon dial accents, paying homage to the previous releases while capturing the electrifying night sessions at the Australian Open.
The foundations of the Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV are the same as the previous Rallymasters, showcasing a wonderfully wearable 39mm brushed stainless steel case with uncomplicated proportions. With a 47mm lug-to-lug and a thoughtfully thin 12mm thickness, the Rallymaster sits in that sweet spot of purposefulness and forget-about-it comfort, but this time, its looks are not going to go unnoticed. The case is treated to a matte black PVD coating, which not only reduces susceptibility to scratches but also gives the watch an entirely new, stealthy aesthetic.
With new sports watch looks, it has sports watch functionality, thanks to an embossed screw-down crown and an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, which provide 100 meters of water resistance. The crystal also features a date magnifier, which is relatively unusual these days outside of one brand in particular, and while that may not be to everyone’s tastes, I think it gives the Rallymaster some additional character, if indeed it needed any more. Nevertheless, the sporty intent is clearly there, and the case design and proportions all add up to a perfect recipe for a daily wearer.
When a watch opts for a stealthy black case, it needs to offset it with some dial vibrancy, and the Rallymaster IV nails that. It features the same tennis-inspired dial layout as before, but this time, designer Carlton DeWoody has gone for bold neon colours on the small seconds dial at 9 o’clock, split up into three sectors. With a decidedly 80s vibe, the pink and blue tones actually pay homage to previous models and represent the heart-racingly electrifying night sessions at the Australian Open, not only in colour with the blue court, but also in the vibe as a whole.
The dial layout has been carefully considered with awesome attention to detail, with the dark backdrop matching the case, and the rest is monochromatically outlined in an almost Tron-like theme. This is even more pronounced when the lights go out, with the dial’s linework fully lumed in blue Super-LumiNova, matching even the lumed stripe on the strap.
Once again, the Rallymaster is powered by the reliable Landeron 24 calibre, an automatic Swiss movement which is comparable to an ETA 2824. It boasts a 40-hour power reserve while beating at 28,800 vph, and is almost visible through the smoked sapphire exhibition caseback, which features central tennis-ball printing surrounded by a racquet motif, both in the same vibrant neon tones as the dial. As mentioned before, this movement features a date wheel, and thankfully, it’s dial-matching in black with white text. Overall, the Landeron 24 is a dependable workhorse of a movement, which is ideal for a watch like this, and its layout offers the chance to make something look a little different thanks to the small seconds position.
The Rallymaster IV is designed first and foremost as a sports watch, so it makes sense to come with some strap options. The watch arrives with two straps, and thanks to a quick-release system, these can be swapped out with ease. The first strap is a black leather number, featuring a pin buckle, black stitching and ventilation holes, just like the old rally-style straps on motorsport watches. When you decide to get a bit more active, there’s a black two-piece stretch-fabric bracelet to use, featuring that thin glowing stripe I mentioned before, which is pretty cool. Finally, like the previous editions, there’s a limited edition branded tennis ball in the box, this time in black – good luck playing with that one during the night sessions.
The Rallymaster IV is the latest and final edition of tennis-inspired Rallymasters from Maurice de Mauriac, and this latest model takes that quirky, yet attractive look to the next level, balancing vibrant neon colours with a stealthy, dark backdrop. The connection to the game is well executed, capturing the excitement of the night sessions while paying respect to the previous models and avoiding a significant departure from the previous styles.
The Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV is a limited edition model, like before, but this time it’s limited to just 100 pieces, available both at the Maurice de Mauriac boutique in Zurich and the Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio in Melbourne. But you’ll have to be quick, because they will only be available during the fortnight that the Australian Open is running, and there may be a few up for grabs at the launch party at the Watch Discovery Studio, too.
Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV pricing & availability
The Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV is available exclusively during the Australian Open fortnight, from the MdM boutique in Zurich and from us here at Time+Tide Watches via our online store. Limited to 100 pieces. Price: CHF 2,200 (excl. VAT), US$2,400 (excl. VAT), A$4,650 (excl. GST)
| Brand | Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet |
| Model | Rallymaster IV |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 12mm (T) x 47mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Black PVD stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Black with neon accents |
| Strap | Black calf rally leather, steel pin buckle Black stretch fabric with glowing stripe, steel pin buckle |
| Movement | Landeron 24, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date |
| Availability | Limited to 100 pieces |
| Price | CHF 2,200 (excl. VAT) US$2,400 (excl. VAT) A$4,650 (excl. GST) |