What the Met Gala’s Best-Dressed Men Wore on Their Wrists
A curated look at the extraordinary timepieces that defined the “Fashion is Art” red carpet
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The 2026 Met Gala, themed “Fashion is Art,” transformed the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a living gallery, with watches emerging as one of the evening’s most compelling mediums.
The red carpet once again affirmed the wristwatch as a legitimate art form, functioning as a mechanical signature for the world’s most stylish men.
Collectors and enthusiasts noted a clear shift toward sculptural pieces that prioritized artistic expression over utility. From surrealist forms to movements years in the making, these timepieces blurred distinctions between jewelry, engineering, and fine art.
Below, the standout watches that anchored the night’s most talked-about looks, spanning million-dollar diamond statements to rare archival designs.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Jacob & Co. Billionaire III
The Rock leaned fully into the theme with the Jacob & Co. Billionaire III, a $3.3 million white gold skeleton watch set with 714 emerald-cut diamonds totaling nearly 130 carats. The cuff-like piece paired seamlessly with his Thom Browne look, pushing high-fashion maximalism to its limit.
JAY-Z: Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime
JAY-Z opted for the Grandmaster Chime, a white gold feat of horological engineering featuring 20 complications, including a perpetual calendar and minute repeater. Its reversible case, with two distinct dials, added a layer of duality to the piece.
Rami Malek: 1992 Cartier Crash (Platinum)
Rami stayed true to his minimal yet surreal sensibility with a platinum Cartier Crash. Its distorted and asymmetrical case evoked both a car wreck and a Dalí painting, reading as pure wearable art against his Saint Laurent coat.
Bad Bunny: 1996 Cartier Cloche
Bad Bunny complemented his look with the bell-shaped Cartier Cloche, featuring a dial rotated 90 degrees so it can function as both a wristwatch and a desk clock. Its archival eccentricity reinforced an heirloom-driven narrative.
Anderson .Paak: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Openworked
Appearing as DJ Pee .Wee, Anderson wore a white gold Royal Oak with an openworked movement. Exposed gears and bridges echoed the intricate embroidery of his custom Amiri suit, creating a cohesive interplay of texture and mechanics.
Connor Storrie: Omega Constellation Observatory
In his Met Gala debut, Connor chose an 18k Moonshine Gold Constellation Observatory. With its 12-sided bezel and integrated bracelet, the monochrome piece stood in sharp contrast to his black Saint Laurent look.
Nicholas Hoult: Jaeger-LeCoultre Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
Hoult wore the Master Ultra Thin, a staple of elegance. This specific perpetual calendar featured hands and markers that appeared bespoke, sparking rumors of a one-of-a-kind creation designed specifically for the Gala’s mandate.
Maluma: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo
The superstar chose a sculptural Bvlgari Octo Finissimo, a masterpiece of Italian design and Swiss engineering. Celebrated for its ultra-thin profile and 110-facet architectural case, the watch’s industrial geometry and matte finish provided a modern contrast to his custom tailoring.
Paul Anthony Kelly: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon
The Love Story star paired a burgundy Dior tailcoat with a matching Vacheron Constantin Overseas in grade 5 titanium. Its Maltese cross tourbillon cage fused sport and high jewelry into an elegant statement.
Colman Domingo: Omega Constellation “Manhattan” (1982)
Colman opted for a vintage 33 mm Constellation Manhattan in yellow gold and stainless steel. Defined by its signature claws and sun-brushed black dial, the piece read more as sculpture than instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Jacob & Co. Billionaire III Worn by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson holds the title, with an estimated value of $3.3 million due to its 130 carats of high-quality diamonds.
The Cartier Crash is celebrated for its melted, distorted aesthetic that defies traditional watchmaking shapes, echoing Surrealist art movements and the works of Salvador Dalí.
It is one of the most complex wristwatches in existence, boasting 20 different complications and over 1,300 individual parts, representing the absolute high art of mechanical engineering.
“Openworked” (or skeletonized) refers to the process of removing metal from the watch’s movement to reveal the inner workings, turning the gears and springs into a visible aesthetic feature.
Yes, there was a clear move toward shaped cases (like the Cloche and Crash) and precious metals, moving away from standard stainless steel sports watches in favor of pieces that resemble fine jewelry or sculpture.
