Tom Brady Is on One Hell of a Hot Watch Streak

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We have to say: It would get tiring writing about this dude if he didn’t keep hammering us with horological chart-toppers.

The greatest quarterback of all time has a watch collection to match his impeccable athletic record. This week, he stepped out in yet another fire watch: a platinum Richard Mille RM 012 from 2006. Produced in a run of just 30 pieces, it’s classic RM, housed in a tonneau-shaped case and equipped with a tourbillon. The model also represented a watch industry first—if you look closely at the movement, you’ll notice that there’s no conventional baseplate holding the components together, but rather a series of Phynox composite tubes suspended in a web-like structure.

Requiring two years of R&D, this is a true watch guy’s watch—but it’s also hype-y as hell. Some horological aficionados love Richard Mille, while others find them overwrought and ludicrously priced (think: over $1 million). Wherever one comes out on this argument, there’s no denying the watches’ head-spinning sophistication, thought-provoking design, and impressive performance. Frequently seen on the wrist of Rafael Nadal, they’re timepieces that can truly take a licking and keep on ticking.

But back to Brady. It would be one thing if this half-million dollar, science fiction-esque watch were the only one in the guy’s collection. But just recently, we’ve spotted him in a Rolex Day-Date with a special Arabic dial; another of the same model in a different configuration; a Rolex Day-Date “Emoji”; another brand-new sought-after Rolex; a succession of IWCs (to be fair, he was an ambassador for the brand); and more. He’s on the record with us as saying that he’s not much of a collector of art, wine, cigars, or cars—but watches seem to be a different story. In addition to his 20-odd IWCs, the man clearly loves a good Rolex, and also, a good high-end LE such as the Richard Mille RM 012.

Now that he’s retired—both from the NFL and, evidently, from his professional commitments to IWC—there’s no telling what other wrist candy Brady will wear next. One thing’s for sure, however: You don’t source Arabic-dial Day-Dates and obscure RMs if you don’t really friggin’ love watches. The guy is clearly a dedicated collector, and watching his collecting journey unfold promises to be exciting.

Mads Mikkelsen’s Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono

Mikkelsen strapped on a Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono Venice International Film Festival premiere of the film Bastarden (The Promised Land, in English) this week. The 57-year-old Dane often takes on challenging, left-of-center roles, such as a man stranded in the wilderness in Arctic, or Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the television series Hannibal. The Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, less famous than chronographs from Rolex, Omega, Audemars Piguet, and others, is nonetheless an intriguing watch; housed in a rose gold case and featuring a triple-register chronograph with date, it’s a fitting, under-the-radar choice for this talented thespian.

J Balvin’s Patek Philippe Nautilus

The Prince of Reggaeton was conspicuous at the US Open with an all-pink outfit—and one of the flashiest Pateks we’ve ever seen. His Nautilus reference 5719/10G isn’t just a white gold version of one of the world’s most difficult-to-procure timepieces; it’s also completely “iced out,” with diamonds adorning every conceivable surface. (It’s riddled with more than 1,300 of the precious stones, for those counting.) With a retail price over half a million dollars, this is probably not the Nautilus one takes for a quick dip in the sea, despite the collection’s nautical name. (Then again, the dude has had 18 songs on the Billboard Hot 100—he can do whatever he wants with his watches.)

Marcus Rashford’s Rolex Day-Date 36 “Puzzle Dial”

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford sported one of the most controversial references from Rolex’s new collection at this year’s Watches & Wonders trade show: the Day-Date 36 “Emoji.” Available in several metals, this special version of the brand’s famed “President” watch features a dial in the form of a jigsaw in which each piece is made from a different colored enamel. The date wheel, meanwhile, has been replaced by one featuring various emojis, and the day window displays uplifting words like “Gratitude” and “Love.” As much as folks have groaned about this watch online, Rashford joins an elite group of collectors in favor of it, including both John Mayer and Tom Brady.

Jacob Elordi’s Cartier Tank Normale

The Euphoria heartthrob was spotted at the Venice International Film Festival premiere of Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla decked out in quite the getup: black Valentino formalwear and an 18K yellow gold Cartier Tank Normale. Based on the earliest Cartier Tank watches designed during the First World War, the Normale has a decidedly more angular case than its successor, the Tank Louis, as well as other more modern iterations. But fixed to a simple leather strap and worn with, well, pretty much anything, it’s one of the best watches in the world.