Published May 20, 2024
Just like in life, on the clock, finding the right partner can be difficult. For most top watchmakers, celebrity ambassadors are: absolute As a balance wheel. These ambassadors can serve a variety of purposes, not the least of which is creating hype, but no hype machine is as complex and potentially terrifying as a “collaboration watch.” Of course, there is a catch in the fact that celebrities are not watch designers, and in some cases their tastes may not be entirely in line with the brand's ethos, or their tastes may just not be that great. There is a possibility. Sure, there were some nuisances along the way.
Perhaps this collaboration watch actually involves the star in question in the design process, or so we're told. The extent of Starr's involvement is never fully detailed, with occasional interviews and testimonies about the collaborative process usually serving as the only documentation of what was involved. Some, like John Mayer, are clearly obsessed with watches and clearly have a strong hand in design, while others are a little more mysterious. artist and architect While they're obvious best friends, many singers, actors, and athletes have added their two cents to the world of luxury watches. Here, we've rounded up 10 of the most notable celebrity watch collaborations.
-
John Mayer X Audemars Piguet Limited Edition Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Image credit: Audemars Piguet
Mayer is perhaps the biggest name associated with modern watch collecting, but it still came as a bit of a surprise when his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar was released earlier this year. The Associated Press is no stranger to celebrity collaborations, whether real (Travis Scott) or fictional (Spider-Man), but Mayer's piece brings together some of the biggest names in the watch world. The watch itself is the last to be powered by Caliber 5134 and features a stunning 'Crystal Sky' deep blue dial for those who just want to look good. We liked it enough to add it to our Best Sports Watches of 2024 list.
-
Richard Mille RM 52-05 Tourbillon Pharrell Williams
Image credit: Richard Mille
Although Pharrell is currently busy with LVMH, he still finds time and wrist space for Richard Mille, most notably the RM UP -01 at its debut show in 2023. Pharrell's Millie roots run deep and include the RM 52-05 tourbillon. Pharrell Williams was involved in the design. The dial is hand-engraved, enamelled and painted with an astronaut looking down on Earth, and the watch is crafted from titanium, cermet, white gold and diamonds. At the time of its release, it sold for just under $1 million.
-
Zenith Chronomaster Sport Aaron Rodgers Limited Edition
Image credit: Zenith
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ relationship with Zenith and then-CEO Julian Tornale began in 2020, and less than four years later, a very special Chronomaster Sport was born. This Zenith's obvious association with his models and athletes is evident in the name, and this watch has a diplomatic presence that spans the colors of both Rodgers' former and current teams, Green Bay, his Packers, and New York, his Jets. It is a green color. It's hard to say how much input Rogers put into this work. This is because, no matter how wonderful a watch collaboration is, sometimes it's just a matter of color selection.
-
Jimmy Chin X Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback Limited Edition
Image credit: Panerai
For professional climber and documentary filmmaker Jimmy Chin, collaborating with an ordinary watch doesn't cut it. By the time the Italian brand launched his two limited editions, the Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback – J. Chin Edition and the Panerai Submersible Chrono Flyback – J. Chin Experience His Edition, Mr. Chin was a long-time friend of Panerai. did. The latter of the two watches was limited to 14 watches and included the opportunity to meet up with Chin in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. (In fact, Robb Report's very brave Paige Redinger found herself climbing the Grant Tetons with Chin a few years ago.) Both watches are made of titanium and measure at 47mm. The Xperience edition is DLC coated with white Super-LumiNova and everything looks great. Panerai must be tough.
-
Bremont 1947 watch with Ronnie Wood dial
Image credit: Provided by Bremont
Things are becoming very British. In 2019, Henley-on-Thames-based watch brand Bremont launched an incredible collection of 47 unique timepieces called the 1947 Collection. If that's not impressive enough, each 42mm white gold watch is hand-painted by none other than Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood. Wood must have been accustomed to such small-scale work with his delicate fingering on the guitar. Perhaps there is a fine line between licking and doodling?
-
Rory McIlroy x Omega
Image credit: Omega
It was a little surprising that it took us this long to get into golf, but we ended up playing golf with Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner from Northern Ireland. is completed. Not only does McIlroy own a Speedmaster to his credit, he actually helped design an Omega watch in 2019. The Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Ultralight is made from newly developed Gamma Titanium to reduce the weight of the watch to 55 grams, and the hidden telescoping crown won't dig into your wrist, helping with your golf swing.
-
IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton
Image credit: IWC
At this point, Hamilton is almost synonymous with IWC, and for good reason. The F1 star has been an ambassador for the brand since 2013, and so far he has worked on not one, but three watches. The 2014 Ingenieur Chronograph Edition Lewis Hamilton, the 2019 Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar, and last year's Thiel Portugieser Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph. It's interesting to see Hamilton's influence on the brand and the changes in style across his three models over time.
-
H. Moser Cie. Endeavor Small Seconds by Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music
Image credit: Moser
The word “icon” is thrown around far too often these days, and Bryan Ferry absolutely deserves that status. Roxy Music frontman Dries Van Noten's muse and best-dressed man of the '70s turned his artistic eye to watchmaking in 2016. He collaborated with H. Moser & Cie to develop his 38.8 mm rose gold dress watch, the Endeavor Small Seconds. His in-house HMC 321 caliber. The gold case, red sections and historic numeral font give it a look of pure luxury, just like Ferry himself.
-
Bvlgari x Lisa
Image credit: Bvlgari
Girl group BLACKPINK's Lisa has one name and two Bvlgari collaborations. Her latest collaboration to be released in 2024 is the limited edition Bvlgari Her model, originally designed by Gerald Genta. This watch features a mosaic dial made from 400 hand-cut mother-of-pearl tiles in stainless steel and 18 karat rose gold. The singer seems to have taken inspiration from edelweiss flowers and the Swiss Alps, but the effect is more of an Italian marble floor, which perfectly matches the square Bvlgari watch.
-
Francis Ford Coppola x FP Journe
Image credit: FP Journe
Arguably the most unusual watch on this list, this collaboration between director Francis Ford Coppola and FP Journe features a mechanical hand that uses five fingers to tell the time (inspired by a 16th century prosthetic leg). ration). Released in 2023 after a prototype was designed for the 2021 Only Watch auction, this watch combines Journe's incredible watchmaking with a truly outlandish concept and authentic Hollywood flair. I'm letting you do it.
