Michael Jordan is known for a few things beyond his legendary basketball career: his involvement in NASCAR and his deep appreciation for luxury watches. Jordan’s fascination with timepieces dates back over two decades, exemplified by his early adoption of the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph.
Recently, these two passions intersected when Jordan celebrated his NASCAR team’s latest triumph at the GEICO 500 with a strikingly rare and extravagant watch: the Purnell Escape II Absolute Sapphire Blue Moon. Purnell, a Geneva-based maker of high-end “megawatches,” creates pieces that are as technically advanced as they are visually bold. Their watches are akin to owning a Pagani Utopia—sophisticated and eye-catching, embodying the cutting edge of haute horlogerie. The brand is also renowned for its connections to the French football team and its creations for the last three Ballon d’Or ceremonies.
The Escape II Absolute Sapphire Blue Moon is built around Purnell’s Spherion, a triple-axis tourbillon renowned for its rapid rotation. This tourbillon, originally developed by the horological pioneer Abraham-Louis Breguet in the late 18th century, was designed to mitigate gravity’s impact on a pocket watch’s movement. While wristwatches do not necessarily need this mechanism due to their constant movement throughout the day, its presence serves as a mark of exceptional watchmaking skill and artistry.
This particular watch is a limited edition, encased in a 48mm blue sapphire case. Inside, it features two Spherions, each housed in a titanium cage embellished with 152 small, brilliant-cut diamonds. The tourbillon’s axes rotate every 8, 16, and 30 seconds, creating a captivating visual effect. The manually-wound movement provides a 32-hour power reserve, displayed at the 9 o’clock mark, while the primary time display at 12 o’clock is marked with baguette-cut blue sapphires.
Jordan was seen proudly sporting this remarkable timepiece as he celebrated his 23XI team’s win, lifting the young son of driver Tyler Reddick, Beau, in the pit area and playfully asking him if he would join in celebrating his father’s victory. As a respected collector, Jordan’s watch collection is a testament to his refined taste and status, featuring some of the world’s most prestigious pieces. Alongside the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph, his collection includes a diamond-studded Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, the futuristic Urwerk UR-220, and the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli.
Michael Jordan’s watch collection reflects his exceptional place at the intersection of sports, culture, and luxury. It’s no surprise that his choice of timepieces represents the pinnacle of what is available, often showcasing exclusive designs crafted specifically for him.
