Tom Brady and his watch explode

Welcome to Clock of the weekwhere we’ll track the rarest, wildest and most coveted watches spotted on celebrities.

Forget Tom Brady and The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 31-14 to the Dallas Cowboys in the knockout stages. Because, even though it was Brady’s last match, who announced retirement This week, it certainly doesn’t mean the end of his time in the limelight. To wit, to the premiere of 80 for Brady—a film about a group of elderly women who fulfill their dream of watching the quarterback live—the film’s hero wears a watch harder to find than a Super Bowl ring: the one IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Hand Wound Squelette.

For a long time, Squelette was something of a mystery. It never appeared in the IWC catalog, nor was it the subject of a breathless press release released for journalists to follow. Instead, the watches just… appeared in fashion stores and the secret was gradually revealed. Only 25 of these special watches were produced; The exposed bezel makes it completely unique in the Portugieser line. Literally: no other Portugieser comes with an exposed dial.

Throughout his career, Brady has used watches to mark occasions. He bought his first IWC right after winning his first Super Bowlabout two decades ago, he told me in 2020. (Brady is now an ambassador for the brand.) When he signed with Tampa Bay, he wore an IWC with the raised eyebrow name “The Longest Flight”. Now, in his first public appearance since announcing his retirement, he wears a watch as rare as any IWC in existence. It’s hard to resist analyzing this selection as a whole: perhaps it’s Brady’s subtle reminder of the importance of appreciating something rare and special, whether a watch or a career. One-of-a-kind football.

Piaget Polo by Michael B. Jordan

This watch dares to answer the question: What if we made the whole watch from the bracelet? Naturally, like most iconic watches, this special edition of Polo – since then the line has expanded to include more traditionally styled watches – is the product of ’70s. That era produced plenty of great sports watches on beloved bracelets, including the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but Piaget took it a step further with the Combination of watch and bracelet.

One funny thing: one early advertising as the watch boasts a “thin, electronic quartz movement that never needs to be wound”. Of course, it won’t be long until the collector community and many Swiss watch manufacturers turn on quartz, the very technology that threatens the health of the industry.

Rolex Yacht-Master by Russell Crowe

Don’t judge a book by its cover: Crowe isn’t exactly the guy I expected to see wearing an all-gem Yacht-Master this week! But let’s not judge a man by his watch. This YM comes with more ice than a soda drive-thru and is one of those watches that Rolex doesn’t talk about much about—it just suddenly pops up on the wrists of people like Crowe. Watches like these are why people despise bankruptcies: why ask some jeweler to put a watch on a diamond when you can let the Crown do it for you? Friend?

Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chrono by Nick Offerman

Vacheron Constantin may be best known for its elegant pieces, like the Patrimony, but its sports watch history is underrated. take 222 that Brad Pitt wore last week, which Vacheron has been around since the ’70s. And in 2002, the brand launched this Royal Eagle chronograph. It has everything collectors want from a sports watch—great steel bracelet, chronograph function, and steel case—even if the brand name on the dial isn’t expected. .

Cartier Santos by Sam Richardson

Sam Richardson is no more that guy from that thing! His name is Sam Richardson, Owner Cartier Santos. What a crop of the watches Richardson had to choose, but he didn’t want another Tuna box and, no, it can’t be Troll Boy. This is a timeless watch for every occasion, perfect whether you’re hosting an event baby of the year, visit from wayyyy futureor simply attend the premiere of Alison Brie and Dave Franco’s new rom-com Somebody I used to know.