Watch enthusiasts love to debate whether their prized possessions are superior investments compared to art or cars, often citing their portability as a key advantage. Art stays put on your wall and cars cannot join you everywhere, like at a restaurant or office. But a watch is always right there on your wrist—whether at an event, an important meeting or even while you are competing in the Olympic Games.
After Wimbledon, the world has turned towards the Paris Olympics, where the best of the best in sports have taken the stage. At the opening ceremony on July 26, we saw teams sailing on a boat down the Seine in their Olympic uniforms and waving their country’s flags. But what really caught our eye were the watches worn by some athletes and other personalities. Here are a few of them.
Pharrell Williams wore a Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari
Pharrell Williams, the Men’s Creative Director at Louis Vuitton, walked out holding the Olympic torch wearing the Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari. Released in July 2022, the watch spotted on the wrist of the singer and producer is celebrated as the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, with a thickness of just 1.75mm. Its 51mm Grade 5 Titanium case displays Ferrari’s prancing horse, a classic, beneath the open tourbillon. Powered by calibre RMUP-01, an ultraflat manual winding movement with hours, minutes and function selector, this watch is a limited edition of 150 pieces.
LeBron James wore an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon in Rose Gold with Baguette Cut Sapphires
Four-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist LeBron James made history by becoming the first basketball flagbearer and to commemorate this special occasion wore an equally special watch, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon in 18K Rose Gold. The bezel of this watch is accented with 32 baguette-cut sapphires and the black “Tapisserie Evolutive” dial is complemented by luminous rose gold hands and ruby hour markers. The tourbillon, positioned at 6 o’clock, is the focal point, with a 72-hour power reserve and a water resistance of up to 50 meters.
Giannis Antetokounmpo wore a Breitling Chronomat B01 Giannis Antetokounmpo 42 in Rose Gold
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak” and two-time NBA MVP held the Greek flag wearing the Breitling Chronomat B01 42, co-designed by the athlete himself. The 42mm Breitling watch has calibre 01 movement with a 70-hour power reserve and a column-wheel chronograph mechanism. With an Arabic dial in green, the intricate basketball motif on the nine o’clock sub-dial pays homage to his love for the sport.
Miles Watson wore a Richard Mille RM 65-01 Automatic Split Seconds Chronograph in Yellow
The two-time Olympic fencer and bronze medalist Miles Chamley-Watson got on the Team USA boat wearing the Richard Mille RM 65-01 in yellow. Introduced in 2020, the RM 65-01 is made of 600 individual parts, making it the most complex automatic watch ever created by the brand. The yellow Quartz TPT case houses a dial featuring multiple indications, from a chronograph to small seconds and is available in a limited edition of just 120 watches.
Shaun White wore an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in Yellow Gold
Three-time Olympic gold medal snowboarder Shaun White attended the ceremony with an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in yellow gold on his wrist. Having been a part of all six moon landings, the watch is powered by Omega’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 3861 and has a sun-brushed green PVD “step” dial and “Moonwatch” style hands. The case back, made from polished 18K Moonshine™ Gold, displays double bevels and has the words “First watch worn on the moon” engraved in black.
Devin Booker wore a Cartier Privé Tank Asymétrique in Rose Gold
Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns’ star shooting guard and an important player for Team USA exited the hotel with a Cartier Privé Tank Asymétrique in 18K rose gold on his wrist. With a beaded crown set with a sapphire, a gray dial, gold-finish sword-shaped hands and a dark gray alligator leather strap, this watch includes an ardillon buckle and is powered by calibre 1917 MC.
Rafael Nadal wore a Richard Mille RM 27-05 Tourbillon
Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist, chose to wear the Richard Mille RM 27-05 Tourbillon while ushering the Olympic torch down its last leg. The watch is one of the 10 watches that the tennis legend and Richard Mille have designed together. Weighing just 11.5 grams without its strap, the watch can withstand a g-force of 14,000.
Tony Parker wore a Two-Tone Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
Tony Parker, the former French basketball player and four-time NBA champion took part in the ceremony wearing the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. The two-tone design of the PRX has a gold-PVD finish and a silver dial. Powered by the Powermatic 80 movement, it provides an 80-hour power reserve and is built to accommodate active, fast-paced lives.
Serena Williams wore an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked
The female tennis icon and 23-time Grand Slam champion, Serena Williams graced the opening ceremony with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked shining on her wrist. The open-worked design of the 41mm timepiece reveals Audemars Piguet’s intricate self-winding calibre 3132, available in materials such as stainless steel, black ceramic and 18K yellow gold.
Anthony Davis wore The Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph
American basketball player Anthony Davis wore an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph. Launched in 2018, the watch has a 45mm titanium case with a black ceramic bezel complementing the skeleton dial. Housing calibre 2947, a manual-winding movement, this timepiece is limited to only 50 pieces ever produced that feature the signature “Méga Tapisserie”.
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