Jay-Z’s World-Class Watch Collection Just Got Even Crazier

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Finding a watch worthy of a spot in Jay-Z’s collection is no easy feat. One day it’s custom Richard Mille, the next a one-of-one Rolex, and then he’s onto modern Patek Philippe grails. Hov’s go-to jeweler Alex Todd can’t trust just any dealer coming out of the woodwork to secure and authenticate these ultra-rare watches—especially now, with auction houses getting hoodwinked by fakes.

“When it comes to vintage watches, I only trust a few dealers,” Todd told GQ over DM. “With Patek and Audemars Piguet, it’s a gentleman named Tony [Kavak] from Stockholm.”

Kavak, who fittingly goes by @only_the rarest on Instagram, kept this AP Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel in his private collection for a while. Todd introduced Jay to Kavak and the rapper fell in love with his collection. “Usually, I don’t sell my private watches, but Jay is a very special person, and he deserves the best one,” Kavak told me.

This Royal Oak is worthy of that description. It was part of the first series of Royal Oaks to include a perpetual calendar, which would be history enough for most collectors. Jay’s watch kicks the rarity up another level with a dial fashioned from mother-of-pearl. “Good luck finding another one!” Todd wrote in an Instagram caption.

Lately, Jay’s wrist has been a walking watch museum. Hodinkee’s Mark Kauzlarich reported that the Patek perpetual calendar (reference 2499), with the coolest chain-link bracelet you’ll ever see, that he wore to his Oscars afterparty also came from Kavak. “The Patek Philippe ref. 2499 is considered by many collectors to be the greatest wristwatch ever made,” Kauzlarich wrote. Kavak also confirmed to me that he’s the one who sold Jay another Patek perpetual calendar with ruby hour markers (reference 5004R).

Lionel Messi’s Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce

Messi is officially a member of MLS’s Inter Miami CF. (That will never not be a weird sentence to write.) During his official team introduction, Messi wore an outstanding watch. (That line’s a lot easier to type out.) The model in question technically comes fromPatek’s ladies’ collection, but that categorization is meaningless—especially when it comes to a piece this irresistible, which features a rainbow of sapphires around both the bezel and hour markers. Beyond the flash, though, the watch also boasts some historical importance: It’s the first-ever automatic chronograph in Patek’s ladies’ line.

Timothée Chalamet’s Cartier Panthère

Chalamet was born to wear this watch. His slender wrist is a perfect match with Cartier’s Panthere “mini.” But even with a timepiece this diminuitive, Chalamet still wears it like it’s his favorite pair of pants: oversized and barely hanging on. Cartier’s mini versions have really been outstanding this year; the jeweler’s teensy Bagnoires were a highlight of its new releases. Don’t be surprised to see Chalamet wearing one before 2023 is out.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Rolex Daytona

I lost count of how many times I shrieked, gasped, and guffawed during last weekend’s Wimbledon duel between Novak Djokovic and the young usurper Carlos Alcaraz. Those reactions weren’t just limited to Alcaraz’s pinpoint drop shots, though. I had them again after the match as Alcaraz dutifully strapped on this rare variation of the Rolex Daytona to raise the trophy. The watch has a dial made with actual meteorite and, as of a few months ago, it’s no longer part of Rolex’s catalog. And whileAlcaraz doesn’t wear a watch during his matches like some of his competitors do, his sport-ready rubber band—which Rolex calls an Oysterflex—is a nice nod to his occupation.