Super Bowl LX Transforms into a Glittering Horological Arena
The Super Bowl LX event at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, served as more than just the climactic finale of the NFL season. It evolved into a dazzling exhibition for the affluent and celebrated, offering a prime stage for athletes, musicians, and actors to prominently display their wristwatches to a global audience.
A Diverse Array of Timepieces on Display
Watch enthusiasts and connoisseurs eagerly scrutinized the variety of dials and styles sported by the high-profile attendees. The Instagram account Wristcheck provided detailed reference numbers and valuations for each identified timepiece, cataloging the horological spectacle.
Super Bowl Halftime Show performer Bad Bunny made a striking statement with perhaps the most popular individual model of the evening. He wore a yellow gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak featuring a distinctive green malachite dial, which became a central element of his performance attire.
Rolex Emerges as the Predominant Brand
Unsurprisingly, Rolex emerged as the most frequently spotted brand among both attendees and competing athletes. At least two Datejust models were observed, with Seattle Seahawks lineman Grey Zabel and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts each sporting this classic watch.
Tennis legend Roger Federer was seen wearing a white gold Land-Dweller on an Oystersteel bracelet, retailing for approximately $38,000. Meanwhile, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel showcased a Yacht-Master 2 valued at around $45,000.
The most expensive Rolex present adorned the wrist of New York rapper Fat Joe. His Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Off-Catalog' model, colloquially known as the 'Giraffe', featured a rose gold case encrusted with diamonds and carries an estimated price tag of $290,000.
Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet Command Attention
Remarkably, Fat Joe's Rolex only ranked second among the most expensive watches spotted at the Super Bowl. Colombian rapper Ryan Castro wore a rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus valued at $240,000, while Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves sported an iced-out Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo priced at $230,000. Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins completed the high-end lineup with a Patek Philippe Aquanaut worth $180,000.
The Ultimate Horological Contenders
In the prestigious battle of luxury watches, two clear frontrunners distinguished themselves, though determining an outright victor remains challenging due to the volatile nature of the watch market.
Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady arrived wearing an exceedingly rare Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar crafted entirely from blue ceramic. This exceptional piece frequently commands around $500,000 on the secondary market.
Joining him at the pinnacle was New York rap icon Jay-Z, who showcased a Patek Philippe Grand Complications Celestial with a blue dial housed in a platinum case. While this watch retails for over $393,000 on the manufacturer's website, a current listing on the pre-owned watch site Chrono24 exceeds $1 million.
The Unexpected Fan Favorite
Despite the parade of high-horology masterpieces, the crowd favorite proved to be a remarkably accessible timepiece. Houston rapper Travis Scott paired his high-fashion, casual ensemble with a vintage Seiko C515-5000 Calculator digital watch, available for approximately $550.
Fans in the Instagram comment section expressed particular admiration for Scott's selection. One user exclaimed, 'Daaamn Travis Scott's got style!' while another noted, 'That Seiko bad low-key.' A further comment read, 'Seiko is lowkey fire.' This demonstrates that in the world of Super Bowl wristwear, value and prestige can sometimes be overshadowed by sheer style and personality.
