For better or worse, we live in a time when the concept of the celebrity reigns supreme. Influencers, musicians, sports stars, actors, these are the people that the vast majority of humans look up to and adore. Whether or not you’re a fan of these people and their careers, one benefit of the existence of celebrities is being able to see some of the craziest and most insane (not to mention expensive) watches in the world out in the wild, on their wrists. Here are few of the craziest celebrity wristwatch moments of 2023.
Rick Ross – Jacob & Co. Billionaire Timeless Treasure
Kicking things off is rapper Rick Ross, who earlier this year bought the Jacob & Co. Billionaire Timeless Treasure. The Timeless Treasure is actually a watch that I have seen in the metal in Geneva when it was debuted earlier this year (catch the video over on our TikTok – did you know we’re on TikTok?).
The vibrant yellow diamonds and fully gem-set design isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I can tell you from first-hand experience, there is something magnetic about being in a room with a $20 million watch. Ross is known for having a large watch collection full of insane timepieces, and more than a few Jacob & Co. watches, so the Billionaire Timeless Treasure is a natural fit.
Orlando Bloom – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked ‘Cactus Jack’
This is a recent piece of celebrity watch spotting considering that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked ‘Cactus Jack’ produced in collaboration with Travis Scott was only released this month. We could have easily included Scott himself in this position but it’s not that crazy to see him wearing it considering it’s his watch. What is crazy is the fact that Orlando Bloom has been seen wearing one. There’s a certain juxtaposition between the actor behind Will Turner and Legolas (aka nerd royalty) wearing a hip hop timepiece.
He has always been a big watch collector but unfortunately a lot of irreplaceable vintage timepieces were stolen from him a few years ago by a group of thieves that inspired the film ‘Bling Ring’. Evidently the experience hasn’t put him off.
Ed Sheeran – Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms
Do you think this qualifies as one of the craziest celebrity watch moments of the year? On paper the Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms is not a particularly insane watch. In fact, as the latest Swatch Group collaboration that sees Swatch create affordable interpretations of other brands’ signature watches, it’s downright accessible. What makes it crazy is the fact that Ed Sheeran bought one, meaning you can own the same watch as him. Because let’s be honest, every other watch in his collection is out of your price range.
More and more we’re seeing that price doesn’t matter to collectors as much as an interesting concept does because Sheeran could probably buy up the entire supply of Scuba Fifty Fathoms if he really wanted to.
John Mayer – Rolex Day-Date “Emoji”
We tend to think of Rolex being a relatively conservative brand who rarely take risks when it comes to design. However, they actually have a strong tradition of doing some absolutely crazy timepieces. Just look at the Leopard or Tiger. Earlier this year the Rolex Day-Date “Emoji” surprised the watch world with its emoji date function, words of affirmation days complication and enamel jigsaw dial. One of the first people seen buying one is American singer John Mayer. It’s a perfect fit for his watch collection which is full of all the most hyped, buzziest watches around.
Chris Hemsworth – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak x 1017 Alyx 9SM Selfwinding Chronograph
One of the most divisive watch launches of the year was the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak x 1017 Alyx 9SM collection, including selfwinding chronograph. On one hand you have people saying it looks like a knock-off version of itself and then you have the streetwear aficionados who love it. Turns out Chris Hemsworth falls on the latter side of this debate as he wore it to the Abu Dhabi grand prix to close out the F1 season. With its full gold case, stripped back gold dial and minimalist markings, it’s certainly one of the craziest watches of the year, even crazier on the wrist of the god of thunder.
Oracle Time