Here are excerpts from an article by Beth Doerr in her blog Quill & Pad, published today:
"IWC sponsored the German national team with official special edition DFB (German football association) watches during the 2008, 2010 and 2012 tournaments.
"The DFB has decided to stop the official partnership for “strategic reasons,” however the players had reported really appreciated the watches as they marked these very special tournaments for them in a unique and lasting way.
"Thus, some of the players decided to order unofficial “2014 editions” for themselves of the Portuguese Yacht Club in stainless steel, which they purchased and had had personalized themselves, as a symbol of solidarity.
"German national coach Joachim (Jogi) Löw has been very visibly wearing his during the World Cup in Brazil as he directs the team from the sidelines."