Watches at the 2023 Met Gala

The 2023 Met Gala was one for the books, with an impressive array of ensembles and timepieces for us to fawn over. The theme of the evening, held as usual at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, was a tribute to the legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Hollywood, music, and fashion luminaries were decked out in spectacular haute couture, and timepieces from every corner of the industry – from sports watches to intricate dress pieces – glittered on their wrists. Here are our favorites.

Rami Malek’s Cartier Tank Louis Cartier

As one of Cartier’s brand ambassadors, Rami Malek could have chosen the most elaborate timepiece in the French maison’s product assortment for the Met Gala, but he went with a relatively simple Tank Louis Cartier to complete his black and white look.

This iteration of the classic rectangular timepiece was introduced in 2022 and comes in a solid yellow gold finish with a black dial that shows only two yellow gold hands, the Cartier signature, and the words “Swiss Made” at the bottom. Elegant and reserved, the Tank Louis Cartier is the definition of quiet luxury. Photos from Cartier and from British GQ on Twitter

Patrick Mahomes’ Santos de Cartier

Patrick Mahomes is a big Rolex fan but he chose to wear something novel and slick to his Met Gala debut – the Santos de Cartier Skeleton. Instead of the traditional silvered dial, this watch features an openworked manual-winding Caliber 9611 MC, whose bridges are shaped like Cartier’s iconic Roman numerals. It also has a blue cabochon crown and hands, and is crafted in stainless steel from the squarish case to the bracelet. Photos from Cartier and Patrick Mahomes on Instagram

Jack Harlow’s Rolex GMT-Master II Batman

Rapper Jack Harlow, who is known for blending confidence with style, appeared at the event donning a navy blue bouclé trucker suit and a silk burgundy shirt, all from Tommy Hilfiger. To balance it off, he wore a timeless classic – the Rolex GMT-Master II with a blue and black bezel, also known as the “Batman”.

This watch was first introduced in 2013 and was the first ceramic bezel watch to be made in a two-tone colorway. Loved for its ruggedly handsome look, it includes a Maxi Dial with larger hands and indices, an Oyster bracelet, and a Super Case, which is bulkier than usual to meet the demand for larger watches. Photo from Jack Harlow on Instagram

Roger Federer’s Rolex Perpetual 1908

Although now retired from professional tennis, Roger Federer remains a Rolex ambassador, and he chose their latest fine timepiece for the red carpet – the Rolex Perpetual 1908. Launched at this year’s Watches and Wonders, the 1908 is inspired by one of the very first watches fitted with the brand’s ingenious Perpetual rotor. Balanced and elegant, the Perpetual 1908 merges vintage and classic flair – perfect for formal events. Photos from Rolex and Roger Federer on Instagram

Simu Liu’s Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Simu Liu kept things classic by donning a black Versace tuxedo with fine satin details over a white shirt and black tie. He spiced up his attire with a pair of leather gloves, a silver brooch, and a timepiece that demonstrates aesthetic and technical excellence: a Vacheron Constantin Overseas in steel. 

Perfectly suited to active lifestyles, this watch normally comes with a metal bracelet but the Marvel star went for the leather strap version with a black dial. Other standout features include a bezel and bracelet links shaped like a Maltese cross and a self-winding movement, which offers a 60-hour power reserve. Photo from Versace on Instagram

Nick Jonas’ Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

Continuing the trend of serious sport watches, we spotted Nick Jonas wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, which is the younger sibling of the Royal Oak. It was first launched in 1997 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak collection. 

Nick went for the 38mm stainless steel version, made more interesting with a Grande Tapisserie gray dial, lume-filled indices, and white gold applied hour markers. Blending fashion with the art of watchmaking, this watch adds a subtle contrast to the singer’s Valentino ensemble. Photo from Nick Jonas on Instagram

James McAvoy’s Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Tribute

James McAvoy walked the red carpet that evening wearing a midnight blue single-breasted jacket and a white wing-tip collar shirt. It’s an understated style but he made up for it with eye-catching accessories. 

He carried a fan in homage to the evening’s honoree, Karl Lagerfeld, and wore the newest iteration of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph in pink gold. One side of the watch features the Tribute line’s distinguishing features, such as the fluted bezel, railway-style minute track, and dauphine hands, while the other has a skeletonized dial that reveals the Caliber 860. Photo from Just Jared on Instagram