While Tom Brady may have been away from his family this Thanksgiving, the legendary quarterback turned broadcaster had a very expensive reason to be thankful during his NFL commentary duties in Detroit.
A Dazzling Display on the Wrist
As the Detroit Lions prepared to host their historic rivals, the Green Bay Packers, eagle-eyed viewers quickly noticed that Brady was sporting an exceptionally luxurious timepiece. The watch in question was identified as a Rolex Day-Date 36mm 'Rainbow' or a very similar model, valued at an astonishing $500,000.
The reaction on social media was immediate and colourful. 'Bling, bling for Brady,' wrote podcaster David Gee on X. 'The @NFLonFOX broadcaster is giving thanks for his watch collection no doubt. Diamonds are forever.' Another fan simply declared, 'Brady's watch is outrageous,' while a third quipped, 'How many pilgrims died to make that Tom Brady watch?'
Not His First Rodeo: Brady's Watch History
This particular timepiece features a fully paved diamond case and bracelet with rainbow-coloured sapphire hour markers, creating a spectacular visual effect. Interestingly, this is not an isolated incident of high-end horology for the broadcaster. For last season's Super Bowl broadcast, Brady wore an even more expensive Yellow Sapphire Caviar Tourbillon worth $740,000, which boasted 49 carats and 338 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Furthermore, in a move that demonstrates the sheer scale of his collection, Brady put a significant portion of his personal watches up for auction in October last year. 41 items sold for just over $9 million, highlighting his status as a serious collector.
The Broader Context of Luxury Timepieces
The watchmaker, Rolex, has traditionally been associated with tennis, but made headlines earlier this year by inviting former President Donald Trump to its VIP suite at the U.S. Open in Queens. This move prompted questions from Senator Elizabeth Warren (Democrat, Massachusetts), who wondered if the brand was attempting to curry favour with an administration that had imposed a 39-percent tariff on Swiss goods. Whether or not her suspicions were founded, Trump did later reduce that tariff to 15 percent earlier this month.
Back on the field, Brady's choice of wristwear bears a striking resemblance to a piece worn recently by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, proving that extravagant watches remain a popular statement among sports' biggest stars.
