Tom Brady, known for his legendary football career, has smoothly transitioned into the world of luxury watches, navigating it with the same precision and attention to detail that defined his time on the field.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion, who retired in February 2023 after an astounding 23 seasons in the NFL, has spent the past two decades curating a remarkable watch collection. His collection is now considered one of the most impressive among celebrities and athletes. Brady attributes his love for horology to his parents, who gifted him his first watch to celebrate his high school graduation and acceptance into the University of Michigan in the late 1990s. However, it wasn’t until he began his career with the New England Patriots that he started to seriously dive into collecting luxury watches. After winning his first Super Bowl in 2002, Brady bought an IWC GST Automatic Alarm, an IWC GST Chronograph Rattrapante, and a Panerai Luminor Marina, marking his entrance into the world of high-end horology.
Over his 20 seasons with the Patriots and three with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady became a global ambassador for fine watches. He was seen sporting various exquisite timepieces and even served as an ambassador for Swiss watchmaker IWC from 2019 to 2023. His collection now includes around 20 IWC watches, along with rare pieces from brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. One of his more unexpected acquisitions is the iconic Cartier Crash, a watch that some purists in the horology world consider controversial, but which Brady embraced nonetheless.
Brady’s sharp eye for quality watches has allowed him to build a collection that is already being compared to his legendary career on the field.
Here are some of Brady’s most notable watch appearances in recent months:
September 2023
At a special event honoring his career with the New England Patriots, Brady wore a vintage Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241, known as the “John Player Special.” This iconic watch, with its striking black and gold dial, draws inspiration from the livery of the Lotus Formula One cars sponsored by John Player & Sons in the 1970s. The Rolex, featuring three chronograph subdials and square lollipop hash marks, was paired with a gold jubilee bracelet, completing a classic yet bold look for the legendary quarterback.
September 2023
Also in September, Brady flexed his horological knowledge in a selfie, showing off his Patek Philippe Ref. 2499, a rare timepiece revered by collectors. Released in 1951 as the successor to the Ref. 1518, the 18-karat yellow-gold perpetual calendar with moon phases is considered a “grail” watch among enthusiasts. With only around 10 pieces produced annually over its 35-year run, the Ref. 2499 is a true rarity, often fetching over a million dollars at auction.
October 2023
Brady sported another standout Patek Philippe during the WNBA Playoffs in October 2023. This time, he chose a Nautilus Ref. 5980/1R, a model first introduced in 1976 that continues to be one of the most sought-after sports watches in the world. Brady’s rose-gold version features a contrasting black dial and a self-winding flyback chronograph, priced at over $100,000. The watch’s distinct octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet make it a timeless piece in the world of horology.
November 2023
In November, Brady was seen with a Richard Mille RM 72-01, an eye-catching timepiece he wore while posing with basketball star Victor Wembanyama. Released in 2020, this watch is the elegant successor to the RM 11 chronograph and features a titanium case and black rubber strap. With its skeletonized dial and colorful subdials, this model initially retailed for $188,000, but its value has since skyrocketed to over $300,000 on the secondary market.
December 2023
For the grand opening of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in December, Brady wore a Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002J-001. This rare piece, crafted from 18-karat yellow gold, was inspired by Patek Philippe’s Star Caliber 2000 pocket watch and was one of the most complicated wristwatches ever made. Discontinued in 2014, the Sky Moon Tourbillon is a highly sought-after piece, with prices reaching $1.35 million.
April 2024
In April 2024, Brady brought his style to the Laureus World Sports Awards by wearing a Cartier Crash. Released in 2023, this modern iteration of the iconic 1960s design features a platinum case and an updated movement, giving it a contemporary yet classic feel. The platinum case and gray calfskin strap, paired with a ruby cabochon on the crown, create a subtle but luxurious contrast.
May 2024
At Netflix’s Greatest Roast of All Time: The Roast of Tom Brady in May, Brady wore a custom Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon, created specifically for him. This one-of-a-kind watch features a white-gold case, diamond-set bezel, and a salmon-colored tapisserie dial. The timepiece is also personalized with diamonds that spell out “Tom Brady” on the indices, along with a Roman numeral VII, in homage to his seven Super Bowl victories.
August 2024
In August, Brady attended Fanatics Fest wearing a newly released Rolex GMT-Master II, nicknamed “Bruce Wayne” for its sleek gray and black Cerachrom bezel. This latest version of the iconic GMT-Master series, priced at over $17,000, showcases a 40 mm Oystersteel case and a black dial, along with a date window at the three o’clock position.
September 2024
Finally, in September 2024, Brady was seen attending a soccer match while sporting an extremely rare Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication. This stainless steel timepiece, one of only two in existence, features a perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, and a minute repeater, making it a true masterpiece in the world of luxury watches.
