Three wrist-game winners and losers of the Met Gala
Zach BlassThe Met Gala is always a hot moment in NYC each year, where the famous and elite – or at least those deemed to be so by Anna Wintour – come together in an opulent display of fashion and glamour. Rather than just list every watch spotted during the event, instead I am going to channel my inner Joan Rivers and play the “fashion police” – declaring three wrist-game winners and losers of the 2022 Met Gala.
Please note: these opinions are, of course, purely subjective. My policy has always been your wrist, your wallet, your choice.
Winner: Adrien Brody – Cartier Santos Large in yellow gold
In my opinion, the Cartier Santos is one of the best “one-watch” options on the market today. It is a robust yet elegant piece, equally at home on the Met Gala red carpet as it is taking laps in the pool. Now also known as “the Malaika Crawford” after the Watch and Jewellery Editor of Highsnobiety selected the medium configuration of the watch as her “Success Watch” pick in a recent Hodinkee Three on Three, the Cartier Santos speaks to fans of the integrated sports watch category while also speaking to the timeless design codes of the brand’s DNA. It is a watch that will, in my opinion, remain in fashion forever. It doesn’t have the infamy of the Nautilus or Royal Oak, but with 100m of water-resistance and a bracelet with quick-release technology for both the individual links and the bracelet itself, it is a strong contender for anyone looking to elevate either their formal or daily wear. Personally, I am with Malaika in picking the medium. Here, however, Adrien Brody has selected the large, which has the added advantage of a date complication at 6′.
Loser: Corey Gamble – Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1A-018
Talent manager and partner of Kris Jenner, Corey Gamble’s 5711/1A-018 was clearly caught by the paparazzi with its eye-catching Tiffany Blue dial. Look, it is easy to hate on the hype, and, admittedly, I am not a hater of the limited edition Tiffany Nautilus that closed out the era of the 5711. But, it just kills me that someone who is a part of the Kardashian entourage happens to be wearing it. Within this instance, it doesn’t feel cool. It feels more like a “pick me” hype accessory, that flexes bought relevance rather than actual taste.
Winner: Ryan Reynolds – Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonshine Gold (Green Dial)
In the wake of his film The Adam Project, it is only natural the actor has developed a fondness for the Omega Speedmaster – which has a starring role in the time-traveling and space oriented film. I mean, people around the world hanker for this beloved reference even if they don’t star in a blockbuster Netflix film while wearing it. Had Reynolds wore the standard steel watch he sported in the movie, it would have been a bit cliched. But, the fact he upgraded to one of the most well-received watches of Omega Watch Days 2022 – the Omega Speedmaster 3861 Moonshine Gold (Green Dial) wins me over. The watch is too nice to hate on its wrist-cameo here, and its precious appearance elevates it enough from its sporty origins to work within the realm of the Met Gala. Re-sale value aside, I would take this watch over the green and yellow gold Rolex Daytona any day of the week.
Loser: Andy Blankenbuehler – Tudor Pelagos LHD
For an event like the Met Gala, the Tudor Pelagos LHD just seems a bit too safe and boring for my liking. I know a suit and Submariner is very James Bond, but the LHD skews too close to sporty for it to be formalwear appropriate in my mind. It also seems out of place considering Andy is wearing the lefty watch on his left wrist, when it is really a watch meant to be worn on the right. If I were him, I would have opted for a reference like the Grand Seiko SBGA211 “Snowflake”. It would have had the sporty feel he seems accustomed to, with the formal flair required of his wardrobe.
Winner: Jeremy Strong – Hublot Classic Fusion Bronze Brown Limited Edition
While Hublot may seem like a go-to brand for the famous to flex their status, I love that Strong is wearing the recently released Classic Fusion Bronze Brown. It is a deep-cut of the catalogue, and a rather rare one at that – a special edition of only 30 pieces. The hand-brushed and factory-burnished bronze case has the aesthetic of some of the artifacts you would find in the Met Museum, so it feels very at home visually speaking location wise. Does the chocolatey appearance of the watch perfectly fit his wardrobe? No. But my own bias and love for the watch pushes him over to the winner side in my book.
Loser: Will Welch – Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date with custom Chrome Hearts bracelet
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While customisation does not really jive with me, I can appreciate someone attempting to make a rather ubiquitous reference from the Crown their own. That being said, this attempt from Will Welch just falls flat for me. The energy of the bracelet just doesn’t match the case and dial of the watch in my opinion. It is like pairing the world’s most expensive champagne with orange juice to make an uncalled for mimosa. Beach flip flops with a tuxedo. The smart casual nature of the Oyster Perpetual Date seems out of place on the blinged-out aftermarket Chrome Hearts bracelet. It’s forced, rather than natural. A for effort, but F in execution.