Celebrities' expensive passion for luxury watches

A few weeks ago, Emily Ratajkowski enlivened the international press with a debate about her Rolex Day Date 36 mm with shaded dial, an accessory with a modest price tag of 40,000 euros, paired with a Miu Miu bag and an overall casual look (apart from the price). A collector's watch at a price far beyond the means of the average consumer, but one that pales in comparison to the models some celebrities wear to remind us of the abysmal gulf that exists between them and us mere mortals. Jay Z, for example, received a 1,282-diamond Hublot from his wife Beyoncé, a gift worth $6,700,000, in addition to the turquoise-dial Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 with which the rapper has repeatedly served as the official brand ambassador for Tiffany (which owns the exclusive sales rights to the limited edition watch). At the same time, Ellen Lee DeGeneres, American comedian, television host, actress, author and producer, has appeared in public several times with her $728,000 Rolex Daytona 'John Player' Special on her wrist. A passion for watches that seems to spare no one: from former Hollywood stars to athletes, with a special mention for rappers and musicians.

Emrata's Rolex Day Date 36 mm ($40.000)

Emrata's Rolex Day Date 36 mm ($40.000)

Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona Big Red ($17.8 million)

Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona Big Red ($17.8 million)

Bread Pitt's Rolex Daytona ($37.000)

Bread Pitt's Rolex Daytona ($37.000)

Kim Kardashian's Casio G-Shock × Bape ($73750)

Lady D's Cartier Tank ($40,000)

Rihanna wearing a 32mm 18k white gold Chopard ($130.000)

Several show business personalities collect prestigious watches. One example is Orlando Bloom, who had a Rolex Submariner 6538 (James Bond's legendary model), two IWCs and a Bremont stolen during a break-in at his home in 2013. Other male celebrities who wear expensive and luxurious models include Brad Pitt (who splits his time between Rolex, Patek Philippe and Panerai), George Clooney (who remains loyal to the Omega Seamaster) and Paul Newman. Worn by the latter, the Rolex Daytona Big Red - with differently designed counters, contrasting bi-chrome graphics and a main dial colour that does not extend to the outer rim - long held the record as the most expensive watch in history before being overtaken by the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime in 2019, when it sold at auction for $31.2 million. However, one of the most popular models among the rich and famous remains the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with its classic octagonal design. Its owners include Will Smith, John Legend and Justin Bieber. Actress Millie Bobby Brown has opted for a minimalist Royal Oak with a steel finish and white dial, while Serena Williams owns a special version designed not to mark her wrist on the pitch.

Travis Scott opts for the matte gold declination, but also has a rare model set with rainbow-coloured sapphires. Drake's collection remains one of the best stocked with unique models, often customised by Mad Paris. Highlights include the very limited collaboration between Rolex and Chrome Hearts, a classic "Daydate" adorned with decorative crosses, and a rare Jacob & Co. Astronomy CASINO, whose dial replicates a roulette table with a ceramic ball. The whole mechanism is then completed by a 'cherry', i.e. a 288-sided diamond that turns every 30 seconds. Auction base? 700.000 dollars.

Travis Scott's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Travis Scott's Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ($150,000)

Jay Z's Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 ($53,000)

Justin Bieber's sold gold Rolex Cosmograph Dayrona ($57.000)

Female celebrities are no different. French singer Edith Piaf loved the Boucheron Reflet so much that she bought 21 of them. Jackie Kennedy and Lady Diana favoured the Cartier Tank, the model Michelle Obama chose for her husband's portrait at the inauguration. Angelina Jolie fancies the Cartier Tank Louis with brown leather strap and 18-carat gold, but has also been spotted wearing a Chanel Premiere and a Patek Philippe Minute Repeater. Brad Pitt is said to have given her the $300,000 Patek Philippe Minute Repeater watch as an engagement present. Rihanna prefers to be as daring with watches as she is with clothes: she has been spotted wearing a Chanel J12, a Piaget Limelight, a Rolex Day-Date President Watch, a Raymond Weil Diamond Watch and a Piaget Gold Polo, to name a few. An honourable mention also goes to the Kardashian family, who are aficionados of masculine-inspired models like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, which has been spotted on Kourtney Kardashian's wrist. Kim has also been seen wearing a Rolex Lady Date-just and a Cartier Americaine, as well as the Casio G-Shock × Bape, while Kris Jenner has a soft spot for the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph. Among the Italian collections, Fedez wore a remarkable gem-set Patek Philippe Nautilus worth around €70,000, while Chiara Ferragni has a soft spot for the Piguet Royal Oak (€74,000).