Watches That Took Center Stage at the 2025 Met Gala

This year’s Met Gala made history in more ways than one. For the first time since 2003, the annual fashion spectacle at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art shined a spotlight on menswear with its theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” And what better accessory to highlight the art of tailoring than the ultimate finishing touch, a timepiece?

From athletes and actors to musicians and fashion royalty, watches weren’t just a side note on the red carpet. They were front and center, and absolutely unforgettable.

When MVPs Meet Haute Horology

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made his Met Gala debut with newlywed glow and serious wristwear. He sported a Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43, all sleek stainless steel, which paired perfectly with his polished presence.

Teammate and fellow Super Bowl champ Saquon Barkley took a darker, bolder route. His H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack looked like a portal to deep space with no markers, no logos, and just pure, blacked-out sophistication. The flying tourbillon added a true horological flex.

Hollywood Heartbeats and Sapphire Dreams

Caleb McLaughlin went futuristic with a Zenith Defy Skyline Sapphire, a bold, blue-dialed beauty ringed in baguette-cut sapphires. Under the hood, the El Primero 3620 ticked away at one-tenth of a second. Yes, please.

Maluma brought serious drama with his Jacob & Co. Emerald Billionaire III, a $5 million masterpiece covered in emeralds and white gold. When you’re Maluma, subtlety is definitely optional.

Jeff Goldblum delivered his usual eccentric elegance with a diamond-drenched Ashoka Boutique Watch, valued at a cool $1.2 million. Nigerian icon Burna Boy turned heads with the Caviar Tourbillon, a watch covered in invisible-set baguettes and a single rose-cut diamond. Think of it as wearing a private galaxy on your wrist.

Audemars Piguet Stole the Show

No brand had a bigger Met moment than Audemars Piguet. Legends like Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Hailey Bieber all wore the iconic Royal Oak Mini in frosted white gold.

Shaboozey stunned with a turquoise-dial Royal Oak. Designer Olivier Rousteing flashed a yellow sapphire-studded Royal Oak “Jumbo.” Kailand Morris, son of Stevie Wonder, wore a pink gold Royal Oak 37mm set with blue sapphires. WNBA star Breanna Stewart went all in with a pink gold chronograph covered in brilliant-cut diamonds.

NFL safety Jonathan Owens chose function and finesse with his Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, featuring a blue dial in stainless steel. Every wrist told a story and every one made a statement.

Omega Makes a Gold Standard Statement

Omega brought its A-game. Actor Colman Domingo debuted an unreleased 18k gold Speedmaster chronograph, while brand ambassador Nicole Kidman channeled retro glam in a 1969 vintage Ladymatic “Saphette.”

Olympic sprint champion Noah Lyles wore a classic De Ville Prestige in yellow gold. Actor Barry Keoghan rocked a Speedmaster Moonwatch in Moonshine Gold with blackened subdials. Patrick Schwarzenegger and Tom Francisshowed off the Aqua Terra collection in sun-brushed gold and blue dials.

Justice Smith surprised many with a petite but powerful De Ville Mini Trésor, and Paul Tazewell, the Oscar-winning costume designer, chose a two-tone Seamaster Diver 300M in stainless steel and yellow gold.

Elegant Choices from Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin

Tramell Tillman wore a refined Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface Tourbillon in pink gold. Usher opted for sparkle with a Reverso One Duetto Jewelry packed with over 300 diamonds. Jeremy Allen White kept it sleek with the Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds.

Over at Vacheron Constantin, Walton Goggins embraced complexity with the Traditionnelle Complete Calendar Openface in platinum. Singer and style icon Janelle Monáe brought warm elegance in a pink gold Fiftysix Self-Winding.

Final Thoughts, Time Was the Real Star

This year’s Met Gala did more than honor Black style and menswear. It celebrated craftsmanship, precision, and the deep personal expression that comes with the perfect timepiece. Whether mechanical marvels, vintage charmers, or jaw-dropping displays of jewelry and engineering, the watches of the 2025 Met Gala proved that when fashion meets function, magic happens.