What Do Tom Brady And Mark Zuckerberg Have In Common?
7 min read
Luxury watches have long been symbols of status, taste, and personal achievement. Many celebrities, from athletes to business magnates, are known for their discerning eye when it comes to timepieces. Whether it’s for craftsmanship or historical significance, these stars aren’t just wearing watches; they’re curating collections. Just recently, Tom Brady, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history announced his decision to auction his legendary watch collection through luxury auction house Sotheby’s. A few weeks ago, the watch community was buzzing with images of Mark Zuckerberg sporting a slew of impressive watches on his wrist. Closer home, the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant saw the groom adorning some stunning timepieces that were sure to leave any watch collector gaping. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most noteworthy watch collectors and the stunning watches that reflect their unique personalities.
Tom Brady: The Football Legend’s Refined Taste
As one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady is no stranger to success, and his watch collection reflects this winning streak. A known watch enthusiast, Brady is often spotted wearing timepieces that reflect both luxury and precision-qualities essential in his football career. Putting up some pieces from his collection up for auction Brady says, “I’ve been so fortunate to have such an amazing journey in my career, and these watches and collectibles really capture those unforgettable moments and all the hard work behind them. I’m excited to give fans and collectors a chance to own and cherish these special pieces from my journey just like I have.”
These watches are part of a larger themed auction titled “The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady.” The highlights of the sale include a white gold and diamond-set flying tourbillon Royal Oak with bracelet by Audemars Piguet. The piece was worn by Brady during his Netflix special, “Greatest Roast of All Time.” It is expected to fetch in the range of $400,000 to $800,000. He will also be parting with his Richard Mille 35-03 “Baby Nadal.” The blue quartz-encased timepiece could sell for as much as $500,000. Other lots include a rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus worn by Brady since he purchased it in 2017 and an IWC Pilot’s Watch Top Gun edition “SFTI” model, which he wore during his last Super Bowl Championship parade in 2021, following his historic win with the National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mark Zuckerberg: The Tech Mogul’s Understated Collection
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, is well-known for his minimalist style. Often seen in a gray t-shirt and jeans, Zuckerberg doesn’t immediately come across as a watch collector. However, all this changed when he attended Anant Ambani’s wedding earlier this year. Zuckerberg was seen admiring the groom’s extravagant collection and who knew, just a few months later, we would be admiring his spectacular collection as well?
In a recent Instagram post, Zuckerberg shared a photo with his arm around his wife, Priscilla Chan, with a glimpse of a watch case and crown peeking in from the side. The eagle-eyed watch community was straight on this, and while Zuckerberg confirmed it in the comments of his own post, a few had already surmised that it was the new Patek Philippe ref. 5236P perpetual calendar. Thus began his transformation from a simple tech entrepreneur to a flashy and avid watch collector. If this was not enough, he was again spotted wearing another heavy hitter watch, this time at the Chase Centre strapping on a De Bethune DB 25 Starry Varius. The timepiece features a white and deep blue dial with a spattering of white gold pins depicting the stars. The pins are connected by small Milky Way patterns, gilded with 24-carat gold leaf.
During his appearance on Cleo Abram's podcast "The Future Mark Zuckerberg Is Trying To Build," Zuckerberg was seen wearing the sophisticated F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain Havana. The "Havana" model stands out with its warm tobacco-toned dial, a unique blend of gold and ruthenium that gives it a distinctive look. Zuckerberg’s choice of the Chronomètre Souverain Havana during the podcast underscores his growing appreciation for horological craftsmanship, showcasing a refined taste for classic yet innovative watches. As his collection grows, it will be exciting to watch which watch he will add to his collection next.
Hardik Pandya: India’s Cricketing Style Icon
Hardik Pandya, known for his explosive skills on the cricket field, is also recognized for his bold fashion choices and luxurious taste in watches. With a penchant for unique and high-end timepieces, Pandya has become a style icon not just in cricket but in the world of luxury watch collecting.
During his vacation, Indian cricket player Hardik Pandya was spotted wearing the platinum Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/113P-001. This watch is factory set with 32 baguette emeralds around the bezel and 12 baguette-cut emeralds as hour markers. On Instagram, Hardik Pandya showcased a lavish white gold Patek Philippe Nautilus ‘Phoenix’ 5720/2G watch in his post. This Nautilus isn't just a timepiece; it's a magnificent embodiment of design and artistic craftsmanship. Adorned with pave diamonds throughout its 18k white gold case and bracelet, the watch is a sight to behold. What sets it apart even more is the Phoenix bird depiction, masterfully crafted with enamel on its diamond-studded dial. The Patek Philippe Phoenix Nautilus stands out as one of the most elusive and coveted timepieces one could add to their collection.
Pandya has been seen sporting the Rolex Daytona 116588TBR “Eye of the Tiger” several times over the years. Instantly recognisable by both enthusiasts and collectors, this watch presents a truly captivating rendition of this timeless model. In 2019, Rolex unveiled a Cosmograph Daytona adorned with diamonds, bearing the reference number 116588TBR. This release stood out as one of the most unexpected and distinctive offerings of the event. While diamond-adorned Rolex Daytonas are not unprecedented, what truly sets the 116588TBR apart is its dial. The 18k yellow gold and diamond-set wave-like pattern on the polished black dial uniquely evokes the appearance of a tiger's fur, giving rise to the name Eye of the Tiger.
Anant Ambani: Luxury At Its Very Best
As a member of one of India’s wealthiest families, Anant Ambani’s watch collection mirrors the family’s penchant for luxury and excellence. His recent wedding was a spell binding canvas for watch enthusiasts as Ambani was seen sporting one amazing watch after another during his various wedding functions.
A fan of Richard Mille, Ambani has a tremendous collection of timepieces from the Maison. So impressive that it even caught the eye of Mark Zuckerberg when he attended Ambani’s pre wedding function in India. The Richard Mille RM 56-02 in white sapphire is an ultra-rare, ultra-expensive watch with only 10 models in existence. The RM 56-02 is encased in pure crystalline sapphire with a proper skeletal movement whose baseplate is forged in Grade 5 titanium. This titanium chassis is suspended inside the case using a single, braided metal cable that’s only 0.35mm thick. The RM 56-02 features a tourbillon escapement, enhancing timekeeping accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity. Among his other impressive timepieces is the rose Gold Hand Engraved Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon 6002R-001, featuring 12 complications as well as having two ‘faces.’ One dial is brown Grand Feu Enamel, and the reverse side shows a celestial chart. And who can forget the famous Audermars Piguet groomsmen gift. Valued at ₹2 crore each, the revelation surfaced detailing that Ambani had commissioned a bespoke series of 25 limited edition Audemars Piguet timepieces known as the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Luminary Edition for his close friends on the occasion of his marriage.
Whether it’s Tom Brady’s love for intricate complications, Mark Zuckerberg’s focus on subtlety, Hardik Pandya’s bold style, or Anant Ambani’s penchant for cutting-edge design, each of these collectors showcases how luxury watches are more than just accessories; they are personal statements. For those inspired by these stars, their collections serve as a reminder that a well-chosen watch can be both a celebration of craft and a reflection of personal style. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, there’s always something to learn from the taste and precision that these celebrities bring to the art of horology.
