The 7 Best Watches of the Week, From Tom Brady’s Audemars Piguet to Brad Pitt’s Vacheron Constantin
The third week of September was like a mini showcase of Audemars Piguet. NFL great Tom Brady, Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount, and Colombian singer J Balvin all showed off rare timepieces by the Swiss watchmaker, highlighting the breadth and diversity of the AP catalog, especially the Royal Oak. Brady’s was a rare limited edition, Balvin’s was the product of a collab, and Laviscount’s was a new release.
APs weren’t the only watches celebs flexed on the streets this week, though: Brad Pitt stepped out in a solid-gold Vacheron Constantin (thus walking in the horological footsteps of none other than Marlon Brando), George Clooney donned his trusty Omega, Arnold Schwarzenegger showed off a fittingly giant Panerai, and Roger Federer, unsurprisingly, sported a Rolex. (The Swiss maestro became an ambassador for the Crown back in 2006.)
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Lucien Laviscount: Audemars Piguet Code 11.59
One of the actors of the moment just wore a watch of the moment. Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount flexed a newly released Audemars Piguet on the streets of N.Y.C. this week. The timepiece is one of seven Code 11.59 models AP released in March. Based on the 2019 original, the newcomers feature pink gold cases and fresh, textured dials. This 41 mm selfwinding chronograph pairs a two-tone pink gold and black ceramic case with a black embossed dial and black rubber-coated strap. The tres chic piece can be yours for $49,700.
Brad Pitt: Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222
Brad Pitt’s solid-gold Vacheron Constantin was impossible to miss on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week. Released in 2022, the Historiques 222 is a glitzy, modern take on one of the Swiss watchmaker’s retro classics. The original 222 came out in 1977, though VC produced less than 2,000 examples during the following eight years it was on sale. The contemporary reissue features a monobloc tonneau-shaped 37 mm case, a grooved bezel, a gold-tone dial, and a matching integrated bracelet. You’ll also spot VC’s signature Maltese cross at five o’clock. It will set you back $74,000 (if you can get one!).
J Balvin: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon
J Balvin wore a suitably racy Audemars Piguet to the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan. Launched in January, the limited edition is the product of a collaboration with Tamara Ralph. The Australian designer reimagined the Swiss watchmaker’s Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon, drawing inspiration from the volumes and textures in her Spring/Summer 2024 collection to create a truly distinctive piece of wrist candy. The 38.5 mm case is made of frosted pink-gold, while the striking, multi-layered dial is finished in shades of brown, bronze, and gold. The tourbillon cage shines at six o’clock, with a diamond-set circle and four pink-gold rings. The stunner is limited to 102 pieces, with price available upon request.
Arnold Schwarzenegger: Panerai Radiomir “Egiziano”
It takes a big guy like Arnold Schwarzenegger to pull off a big watch. The Terminator flexed a downright giant Panerai Radiomir L’Egiziano as he received an honorary doctorate in Berlin on Tuesday for his commitment to climate action. The first iteration of the timepiece was commissioned in the 1950s by the Egyptian Navy. The underwater raid units required an “indestructible watch” for deep-sea missions. Panerai delivered. Featuring a hefty, 60 mm titanium case, the original “Egiziano Grosso” was water resistant up to 100 meters (328 feet). The modern successor Arnie is sporting is equally robust, but a little more refined. The limited edition is more readily available, too. (It is estimated Panerai only made a couple hundred of the original.) The L’Egiziano will set you back $25,800.
Roger Federer: Rolex GMT-Master II
Tennis great Roger Federer sported an ace Rolex as he spoke to the press on Tuesday ahead of the Laver Cup. Launched at Watches & Wonders earlier this year, the GMT-Master II “Bruce Wayne” (Ref. 126710GRNR) features a fresh “gris noir” or “gray black” colorway. (That explains the addition of “GRNR” to the reference number and the nod to Batman.) The newcomer showcases a large 40 mm Oystersteel case, a black dial with a date window at three o’clock, and an Oyster bracelet. The distinguishing element is the rotating Cerachrom bezel, which uses gray and black inserts to differentiate between daytime and nighttime hours. The Bruce Wayne will set you back $17,150.
Tom Brady: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication
You might wonder, who would wear a rare, one-of-two Audemars Piguet to a soccer match? Tom Brady, that’s who. The retired NFL star and devout watch collector casually flexed a Royal Oak Grande Complication as he watched his team Birmingham City FC play Wrexham AFC in England on Monday evening. Featuring a sizable, 44 mm stainless steel case and a striking sapphire dial, the timepiece is equipped with a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and a split-seconds chronograph. Nothing subtle about it.
George Clooney: Omega De Ville Hour Vision
George Clooney is all about Omega at the moment. The Wolfs star turned up to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday wearing the same De Ville Hour Vision he did in Cannes. Originally introduced in 2007, this classic model has been through many different iterations. This particular reference features a 41 mm steel case, a silver dial with a striking grooved rhodium-plated hour track, a date window at three o’clock, and a black leather strap. The watch is no longer available via Omega, but you can pick up a pre-owned example for about $6,000.
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