Who wore what? Here’s what the watches worn at the Met Gala 2024 say about fashion today.
Look. If you’re rich and famous enough to attend the Met Gala, you need a nice watch. It’s an unwritten rule — part of the dress code, even!
You’re rubbing shoulders with A-list stars like Kim Kardashian, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and Ariana Grande. To look the part, you need a standout, finely-tuned instrument on your wrist that’s going to turn some heads.
In Rihanna’s words (no, she didn’t attend!), some celebrities really did “shine bright like a diamond”. Balancing the outfit-to-watch ratio just perfectly, some timepieces even featured a helping of diamonds. Other attendees made not-so-great choices, but we moved on.
Judging by some of the ensembles showcased at the event last week, we’ll use the term “shine” loosely. Some outfits were simply showstopping, while others went down like a lead balloon. The same goes for the watches they wore.
Still, we took the rough with the smooth, and most attendees clearly went all-out to impress.
Before we get into it, let me say this. The theme of this year’s Met Gala made for a bit of a circus.
The event has always been an opportunity for A-listers to get completely creative with their outfits. We’re in an era where we are leaning towards a gender-neutral way of life. The lines between masculinity and femininity are merging more than ever before.
This certainly shows in the genderless inclusive watches that made an appearance last week.
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The Met Gala Dress Code Was…
“The Garden of Time”. It runs in line with the exhibition theme; “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”. Yep. I’m confused, too!
Think feminine colors and large, ominous glass-like flowers. Those like the ones featured in the dystopian story, The Garden of Time, written by J. G Ballad, from which the event takes its inspiration. Melancholy blooms and romanticized vines, overgrown thickets, and vintage botanicals combine with the theme of breathing new life into old fashion.
Delicate, ethereal accessories and artifacts that are simply too precious and old to wear at the exhibition. Instead, experts have reanimated them using soundscapes, X-rays, and AI technology.
I touched on women wearing men’s watches not so long ago. My theory was that it’s somehow easier for women to access men’s watches than the other way around.
It has also become more socially acceptable, especially considering the influx of unisex sizes of late. After the Met Gala 2024 showcase, I am well and truly eating crow!
I’ve never seen so many feminine-inspired watches on men’s wrists, and I’m here for it.
Today’s society recognizes that anyone can wear what they want. Some people tend to go a little “cray-cray” with that concept. They unleash this inner creativity could be just what the watch industry needs right now. A catalyst to break those norms and create new ones.
The Met Gala, which opened on the first Monday of May, is a prestigious exhibition that recognizes fashionistas and their artistic merit. The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, held in New York, welcomed a star-studded guest list.
This included Ariana Grande, who also performed on the night. Also in the crows — TikTok chief executive Shou Chew, and co-chairs Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, and Jennifer Lopez.
Seriously, How Much?
Now, the Met Gala is no “just buy a ticket and go to the show” event. To attend the glittering showcase, you must receive an invitation. Even with an invite, don’t think you’re getting in for free!
An invite is a sign that Vogue director Anna Wintour selected you and recognizes your creative talents
This is a pricey event. Celebrities pay a whopping $75,000 for an evening ticket, or they can go all-out and secure a $350,000 ten-seat table. Indeed, a cheap night out this is not!
Couturiers and stylists worldwide closely observe and scrutinize the outfit choices of every glamorous guest list. But we horological connoisseurs find it hard to pay attention to anything other than what they’re wearing on their wrists!
The Met Gala 2024 Watches
Brace yourself for lots of diamonds, lots of color, lots of feminine styles, and a lot of IWC?!
Thor Owns an Eagle
The hammer-wielding, weather-controlling Marvel character doesn’t wear a modern-day sports watch, but Chris Hemsworth does. The actor, famous for his great taste in luxury watches, donned the Alpine Eagle with a cream-coloured Tom Ford suit for the event.
The timepiece was perfect for the occasion, nodding to the glamorous, indulgent dress codes of the evening. It looked the part, rocking a classic sport-esque aesthetic.
Being a fan of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, this guy certainly knows how to carry off an octagonal bezel. But put a few diamonds on this round Alpine Eagle, and he looks just as stylish despite this watch’s erring on the feminine side.
The sports watch takes inspiration from the majestic beauty of the bird of prey and the landscape of the Swiss Alps. It features an 18ct yellow-gold case that works perfectly with Hemsworth’s suit.
“OMG” — Usher’s Jacob & Co. Billionaire Ruby Watch
Wanting to create impact at the event, Usher sported one of the most expensive brands in history on his wrist. And why not?
The 5 million dollar watch, of course, is from Jacob & Co. The Ruby Billionaire III combines materials of sapphire crystal glass, 18k white gold, and ruby gemstones.
Enrobed in rich pink gemstones, the “OMG” singer fully embraces his feminine side. He keeps in line with the garden-inspired dress codes of the event. The watch, loud and pretty garish, is unmissable with its integrated bracelet, drenched in even more ruby stones.
Game, Set, Watch — Audemars Piguet
Serena Williams is a long-standing ambassador of Audemars Piguet (and yes, she has played tennis in one!). Sporting the Royal Oak Self-Winding Tourbillon Extra Thin watch, she nailed it at the Met Gala this year. This is a great unisex design, measuring in at 37mm, making it a great option for men with smaller wrists.
Its open-worked dial exposes an automatic engine inside an 18k white gold case that AP refers to as “sand gold”.
Do you have a spare $270k to spare on a watch? If so, this is the way to go if you’re looking for something that bridges the gap between “dressy” and “sporty”.
Ben Simmons Paints the Colours of the Rainbow
The watch Ben Simmons wore to the Met Gala 2024 event is, in fact, a men’s watch despite its lady-like aesthetic. The rainbow baguettes dressing the circumference of the Patek Philippe Nautilus Rainbow watch’s dial make for a particularly striking bezel.
This watch does come on a rainbow baguette bracelet, too, but Simmons opts for an eye-catching red leather strap. It pairs great with the white dial. The rose gold-colored Arabic numerals accompany 12 rainbow baguette gemstones, too.
This is a feminine-infused men’s watch that Simmons manages to style perfectly. However, don’t ask me what the large clock face on the briefcase was all about!
Morgan Spector Likes the IWC Portugieser
Next up is Morgan Spector, who dazzled in red. It’s common to see people go overboard at the Met Gala and that’s certainly the case for his outfit. The guy just loves attention to detail and excellent tailoring — two things this Willy Chavarria suit affords.
The silk faille red jacket has a narrow waistline and oversized shoulders. Poppies adorn the jacket as a nod to the Garden of Time. However, the actor’s watch of choice is considerably understated, balancing out his look perfectly.
The IWC Portugieser is a complete classic. It’s fitted with a movement that provides a 7-day power reserve. The remaining energy of the mechanical engine inside the watch presents itself on a bi-compax dial layout.
It’s hard to tell if Spector wore the silver dial version or the “Dune” version. Either way, an elegant Portugieser is a great choice for a formal event.
Beyond the Blue Horizon — Kieren Culkin’s Dreamy Portugieser
Kieren Culkin opted for the IWC Portugieser Horizon Blue — a new shade recently launched by the watchmaker. Despite the watch only just arriving last month, the “Succession” actor has already perfected it with a floral-inspired cream suit.
The Automatic 40 watch features a small second sub-dial, feuille-shaped hands, and a classic round case design. The movement, complete with an 18k gold rotor and Pellaton winding mechanism, features a sapphire exhibition window.
Perpetuating Elegance — Colman Domingo’s IWC Perpetual Calendar
Colman Domingo is also partial to an IWC. The actor, playwright, and director shone with his Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44. The watch features the brand’s proprietary 18k Armor gold.
The IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar has a power reserve display, day, date, month, year, and a perpetual moon phase. This is a timeless companion that works superbly with Domingo’s cream and black Willy Chavarria suit. Worn as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, Domingo paired the outfit with a bouquet of beautiful lilies.
Steven Yeun Clashes with a Cartier
“Beef” star Steven Yeun wore a lady’s Cartier Clash (Un)Limited watch. The fully articulated bracelet, adorned with rotating yellow and purple gold beads, is a pure symbol of elegance. Whether it belongs on Yeun’s wrist is open to debate, however.
The stunning lady’s Cartier watch features a silver sunray dial adorned with crisp black Roman numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock. These join a set of pearl-low hour markers and sword-shaped hands.
Yeun’s Thom Brown floral brocade suit is dapper and masculine. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite call out for a woman’s touch. This feminine watch is a clash and a half, but it’s still a stunning timepiece.
Brooklyn Beckham Sports the Piaget Polo 79
Now, this isn’t Piaget’s fault, of course. But I just can’t look at the Piaget Polo 79 without thinking of the Gucci 25H. The latter is a more affordable Piaget watch alternative.
The design represents the shift Gucci made towards more sophisticated watchmaking a few years ago. It wouldn’t make for a great statement piece somewhere like the Met Gala, though.
The Piguet Polo 79 looks great on Brooklyn Beckham’s young wrist. If you can put Gucci’s very similar-looking 25H watch out of your head, that is.
Ed Sheeran and The Royal Oak
It sounds like a novel: Ed Sheeran and the Royal Oak. The cute duo does tell a tale of love, however. The successful British singer has a soft spot for Audemars Piguet and has long been an avid luxury watch collector.
He shares this horological nerdery with his musical buddy John Mayor, who has his very own Mayor-deigned Royal Oak. It’s this 18k white gold timepiece you see Ed wearing at this year’s Met Gala. It boasts a beautiful moonless sky-inspired blue dial with calendrical features in four sub-counters.
If you ask Ed, I’m sure he’d tell you this watch is worth the $200,000 price tag he would’ve paid for it. In the words of the singer himself, collecting watches is no “bad habit”. But they do appear to be his guilty pleasure in life.
Michael Shannon Loves a VC
Someone who understood the assignment well was Michael Shannon. He donned his wrist with the Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 watch — a true classic.
I love this design and the unconventional orientation of the hour markers. The 12 o’clock hour marker starts at 1 o’clock, giving the entire dial an eye-catching slant.
Great as a conversation starter, the model looks entirely at home on Shannon’s wrist. Paired with this brown leather band, you’d struggle to find a more modest timepiece for this American actor.
The Takeaway
The dress code at the Met Gala 2024 event this year was “The Garden of Time”. This considered, it’s only natural that the star-studded lineup went to town to showcase some true icons. While some choices were incredibly classic and in keeping with the evening, others were wacky and downright ridiculous. God loves a trier.
Regardless of what we love and don’t love, the Met Gala 2024 watches were worth waiting for.
Whether some stars made a profit by sporting their watch of choice or not, one thing is for sure. The centuries-old tradition of watch-wearing is going nowhere. Long may that continue.
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