The World Series of Poker (WSOP) will be offering something new to each of its bracelet winners this year. For the first time ever, a personalized bracelet will be awarded to the winner of each of the 57 official tournaments, and no two will be alike.
The WSOP has combined forces with On Tilt Designs Pty. Ltd., to create branded apparel, headwear, and accessories to cover the poker player from “head to wrist” for the 2010 WSOP. The centerpiece of the collection is a sponsorship of WSOP bracelets for the events in Las Vegas and Europe, for which On Tilt formed a partnership with famed jewelry designer Steve Soffa.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be tasked with creating the foremost trophy for poker players worldwide,” said Soffa, whose career has spanned 16 years and includes work for Microsoft, Sony, Oracle, and Universal Pictures. “We have been hard at work putting the finishing touches on the WSOP gold bracelets and we look forward to unveiling them to the world on May 28 at the Rio.”
The On Tilt team will be on hand at each bracelet ceremony to engrave the player’s name into the back of the faceplate along with other details from that particular event. In addition, players can request further customization of their jewelry and will be able to work with the designers to do so.
Each bracelet is made with 14K solid gold and will feature a collection of princess and round cut diamonds, while the four card suits will feature rubies and black diamonds. The Main Event bracelet will feature nearly six ounces of gold and 550 individual hand-set diamonds weighing nearly four carats in total. In recent years, the Main Event Bracelet had 291 diamonds, totaling 2.81K set 168 grams of 18K white gold.
In addition to the personalized bracelets, Soffa is creating unique collector’s boxes to house them. Each bracelet winner will be provided with a commemorative lacquered wood display case to accompany their bracelet along with a certificate of authenticity.
Soffa opened up his watch and art store in the Rio Hotel and Casino in 2008 and last year created a timepiece called the “Suicide King” for Main Event champion Joe Cada, who donned the watch during the final table. Cada was taped buying the watch during the filming of the reality series “6th Street: Life After the River,” which features Cada and his poker-playing friends from Michigan.
“It’s an honor to work with this team and have the WSOP play a role in launching a new lifestyle brand,” said WSOP Vice President Ty Stewart. “They are passionate about poker, experts in their craft, and we’re confident the masterpiece they are handcrafting will elevate the prestige of anyone fortunate enough to win one.”
The 2010 WSOP gets underway on May 28 with the Casino Employees No Limit Hold ’em (Event # 1) and $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship (Event # 2). Poker News Daily will be providing coverage from the Rio, so stay tuned!
