Following his Watchbox investment, 5 pieces that show Michael Jordan is a genuine watch lover
Luke BenedictusNews broke yesterday that Michael Jordan has invested in WatchBox, the trading site that has just raised $165 million USD in its latest round of financing. But as you might expect from a guy with a net worth estimated at $1.6 billion USD, the basketball legend has an impressive watch box of his own. Judging by his intriguing collection, Jordan’s investment decision was at least partially triggered by the fact that he’s a genuine watch lover. Here are some of the weird and wonderful hits in the stellar haul of his Royal Airness.
A. Lange & Söhne Datograph
Back in 2002, Jordan was spotted wearing a first generation A. Lange & Söhne Datograph in platinum on a matching platinum bracelet. The Datograph was a revelation when it was unveiled at Baselworld 1999, raising the bar for high-end chronograph movements made in-house. It’s the sort of watch that serious horology fiends lust after – Philippe Dufour, for example, owns one too. The Datograph shows that Jordan definitely isn’t your typical watch buyer.
Urwerk UR-103
Jordan is also happy to dive into the quirkier side of watch collecting and was an early adopter of this independent brand. Urwerk watches flaunt sci-fi design and have a novel way of telling the time through the use of satellites. MJ owns two versions of the UR-103 – one in white gold and one in rose gold – and he’s also got a UR-202 with a full metal bracelet. Once again it’s clear that we’re not in the standard Daytona / Royal Oak territory of your average watch-loving sports star.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona in Platinum
Having said that, it would be churlish not to include the odd Rolex in the collection. And this platinum Daytona with an ice-blue dial and chestnut-brown cerachrom bezel is certainly an an eye-catching pick. As an owner of this very watch reflected in our new edition of NOW magazine, “The colour scheme all sounds wrong, I know, but when you look at it, it’s stunning.” We wholeheartedly concur.
Audemars Piguet Millenary
From the Black Panther to the Code 11:59, Audemars Piguet have plenty of watches that polarise opinion and the Millenary is (literally) another case in point. The Millenary collection is where AP explore a more neo-classical aesthetic via its unusual oval case shape. Further proof of MJ’s willingness to think outside the (watch) box.
Richard Mille RM 032 Automatic diver’s chronograph
At 6ft 6 inches, Michael Jordan is a very big guy and can make a relatively normal-sized watch appear way smaller than it is. Huge watches meanwhile look perfectly to scale, whether it’s a Panerai 425 Radiomir with a 47mm case or this Richard Mille RM 032 Automatic diver’s chronograph. The RM 032 is a mammoth 50mm diver, featuring a flyback chronograph and annual calendar. Jordan’s version has a red gold case, giving it even more wrist presence. Anyone with toothpick arms need not apply.