The US Open 2025 isn’t just about blistering serves and baseline rallies at Arthur Ashe Stadium — it’s also become one of the most visible stages for luxury watch spotting. While red carpet events like the Oscars and Met Gala lean toward tux-ready elegance, the US Open offers something different: unfiltered wrist flexing from athletes, celebrities, and cultural icons.
From platinum Rolex Daytonas to independent tourbillon marvels, this year’s tournament has turned into a horological catwalk. Below, we break down the most talked-about pieces and why they matter in the world of watches.
Why Watches Matter at the US Open
- Sport meets luxury: Tennis is one of the few sports where players often wear watches during competition, making it part of the spectacle.
- Visibility: Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis venue in the world, and courtside shots highlight every detail — including wristwear.
- Cultural crossover: From rappers like Fat Joe to late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert, the US Open blends Hollywood, music, and sport, creating the perfect showcase for iconic timepieces.
The Standout Watches of the 2025 US Open
| Celebrity / Athlete | Watch Model | Key Features | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Carell | Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (ref. 116506) | Platinum case, ice-blue dial, diamond markers, Cerachrom bezel | One of Rolex’s most exclusive Daytona references; instantly recognizable status symbol. |
| Jeremy Allen White | Louis Vuitton Tambour (ref. W1SP10) | Redesigned slim case, modernized classic design | Signals Louis Vuitton’s rise as a serious watchmaker beyond fashion. |
| Russell Wilson | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph (ref. 26240ST) | 41mm steel case, integrated bracelet, automatic chrono movement | A sports luxury icon, beloved by LeBron, Brady, and MJ. |
| Andrey Rublev | Vanguart Orb | Flying tourbillon, avant-garde design | Independent brand worn during play, showing both durability and artistry. |
| Fat Joe | Patek Philippe Nautilus (ref. 5990/1A-001) | Flyback chronograph + Travel Time complication | Combines Genta’s design with Patek’s high complications — rare in steel. |
| Stephen Colbert | TAG Heuer Monaco (ref. CW2111) | Black dial, Calibre 12 movement, square case | An ode to Steve McQueen, timeless motorsport design. |
| Rami Malek | Cartier Tank Must (ref. WSTA0072) | Black dial, quartz movement, rubber strap | A minimalist icon — accessible yet effortlessly chic. |
| Tyler James Williams | Cartier Tank Must (ref. WSTA0072) | Same model as Malek | Proof of the Tank’s cross-generational appeal. |
Steve Carell’s Platinum Rolex Daytona
- Reference: 116506
- Specs: 40mm platinum case, ice-blue dial, diamond hour markers, brown Cerachrom bezel.
- Why It Matters: Rolex reserves the ice-blue dial exclusively for platinum models, making this instantly recognizable to collectors.
This model was released quietly in 2013 for the 50th anniversary of the Daytona, and Carell’s diamond-set version takes it up another notch. In a sea of steel Rolexes, this is rarefied air.
Jeremy Allen White and the Louis Vuitton Tambour
The Tambour was completely redesigned in 2023, slimmed down and refined into a true luxury sports watch. Jeremy Allen White wearing it at the Open signals something important: Louis Vuitton is no longer just a fashion house making watches — it’s becoming a contender in serious horology.
- Reference: W1SP10
- Design Evolution: Thinner case, versatile proportions, more understated.
- Cultural Note: The actor is starring as Bruce Springsteen in an upcoming biopic — but here, he’s the Tambour’s leading man.
Russell Wilson’s AP Royal Oak
Russell Wilson may be new to the New York Giants, but his wrist game is already championship level. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph is a legend.
- Reference: 26240ST.OO.1320ST.08
- Specs: 41mm stainless steel case, integrated bracelet, automatic movement.
- Why It Matters: The Royal Oak is one of the most recognizable watches ever made. Wilson joins an elite club — LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Serena Williams — all Royal Oak devotees.
Andrey Rublev’s Vanguart Orb
Rublev isn’t just winning matches — he’s wearing a flying tourbillon on court. That’s almost unheard of.
- Brand Background: Vanguart was founded by veterans of Renaud et Papi, the workshop behind complications for Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille.
- Model: The Orb, futuristic in design and packed with haute horlogerie.
- Why It Matters: John Mayer and Ed Sheeran are known fans, but Rublev is stress-testing the Orb under extreme athletic strain.
This is independent watchmaking proving its toughness in real time.
Fat Joe’s Patek Philippe Nautilus
The rapper’s choice? The Nautilus 5990/1A-001.
- Complications: Flyback chronograph + Travel Time second time zone, operated with pushers at 9 and 10 o’clock.
- Design DNA: Gérald Genta’s porthole-inspired Nautilus case, here in stainless steel.
- Why It Matters: Most Nautiluses are simple time-and-date models. Joe’s watch layers serious horology on top of the iconic design, making it one of the most versatile luxury sports watches ever.
Stephen Colbert’s TAG Heuer Monaco
Colbert went retro-cool with a TAG Heuer Monaco — a model cemented in pop culture by Steve McQueen in Le Mans (1971).
- Reference: CW2111
- Specs: Black dial, 39mm square case, automatic Calibre 12 chronograph.
- Cultural Note: The Monaco has always been a “statement watch,” standing out from round-case convention. Colbert’s pick keeps the spirit alive.
Cartier Dominates: Rami Malek and Tyler James Williams
Two different celebrities, one iconic watch: the Cartier Tank Must.
- Reference: WSTA0072
- Design: Black lacquered dial, quartz movement, sleek steel case, rubber strap.
- Why It Matters: Cartier’s Tank has been worn by Jackie Kennedy, Andy Warhol, and countless style icons. Malek and Williams show that the modern Tank Must bridges heritage and accessibility.
Cartier’s dominance at the Open signals the return of dress watches in an era dominated by steel sports models.
What This Year’s Watch Spotting Tells Us
The 2025 US Open highlighted three big trends in luxury watch culture:
- Platinum and complications are back: Carell’s Daytona, Fat Joe’s Nautilus, Rublev’s Orb.
- Independent brands gaining ground: Vanguart on Rublev’s wrist proves players trust small-batch makers in high-pressure situations.
- Cartier resurgence: Malek and Williams both in Tank Musts show Cartier’s enduring cultural pull.
The US Open isn’t just the final Grand Slam of the year — it’s now one of the biggest stages for watch culture. From platinum Rolexes to avant-garde independents, the tournament proves that luxury watches are no longer confined to red carpets and boardrooms — they’re living on the court, in the stands, and on the global stage.
Whether you’re a collector or just a fan, the message is clear: the wrist game at Flushing Meadows is as competitive as the tennis itself.
