So turns out there were more Rolex Daytonas on show besides Roger Federer's brand-flexing-new one. We also clocked Chris Pratt and Tom Cruise wearing a version of the icon that is too often (but understandably) associated with Paul Newman – making it quite a week in the watch spotting stakes, which we felt warranted a celebrity watch spots piece.
Chris Pratt – Rolex Daytona
Returning to planet earth for the first time since he became a Guardian of the Galaxy (yes that is a spoiler and no I’m not apologising), it was good to see Chris Pratt out and about this week enjoying a bit of NBA court-side action. Especially so as he seems to have swapped out Peter Quill’s tatty old Walkman for a rather fetching Rolex Daytona. Celebrating a lil 60th anniversary this year, the Daytona is probably the most iconic Rolex in the game. It’s also one of the most universally wearable at 40mm. His has a panda dial, is stainless steel with black ceramic bezel, and is newly discontinued so perhaps unbeknown to Pratt just went up in value.
Tom Cruise – Rolex Daytona
Tom Cruise sees Chris Pratt’s Rolex Daytona and raises the stakes with his 18k white gold version which has an also discontinued (sob sob) meteorite dial. When it comes to new releases and calling time on its pieces, the Crown sure knows how to deliver excitement and drama, just like Cruise. After demonstrating some nifty pit-lane skills at the Miami Grand Prix, brace yourselves for another Cruise-fuelled summer. Last year, it was all about Top Gun: Maverick, this year we have his latest Impossible Mission to get excited about.
Lionel Messi – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin
For a show like Succession, so much thought goes into details like what watch a character is wearing in a particular scene, and what that could signify. Because as soon as the internet spots it, the hypotheses start flying around and it becomes a great vehicle for driving hype around the show, innit. So, here, is the GOAT that is Leo Messi sending the world a cryptic message through the colour of his watch? Is wearing a green-dialled AP RO – extra-thin no less – while winning yet more trophies at the Laureus World Sports Awards code for the fact he is indeed heading to Saudi Arabia at the end of the season? Or is it purely a coincidence that smokey green dial matches the green in the Saudi flag? Only Messi knows.
Rob McElhenney – Rolex Sky-Dweller
It’s been a busy few weeks for the man with the most mispronounced surname in Hollywood. While the footballing world is still lolling at the fact he called a National League striker the greatest in the world, McElhenney won’t give a you know what. His beloved Wrexham are back in the big time (aka EFL League 2 alongside the likes of Swindon Town) and what better way to show it than wearing your Oystersteel and Yellow gold Rollie Sky-Dweller – lovely taste Rob – with what looks like a homemade “Wrexham” bracelet probably made by someone under the age of 10. We are all about accessorising your watch, especially when it’s not metal on metal and therefore doing damage to your precious goods.
Sticking to regional football club-related news, it’s been an eventful week for Ipswich Town’s most famous supporter. Tractor boy Ed Sheeran celebrated a court win first by playing to crowds on the streets of NYC, then popped into a local radio station to pose with a big fluffy animal – as you do – to promote his new album, “-”. Rarely is Sheeran spotted in the wild without something noteworthy on his wrist. The week before last it was that ol’ Patek x Tiffany chestnut; this week a custom Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in white ceramic and what looks like a reverse panda dial. That much white on a watch reminds me of the Bamford Watch Department x Girard-Perregaux Laureato ‘Ghost’ as well as last year’s IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe”.
