Written by Menswear Style in Events on the 8th May 2024

The 10 most expensive luxury watches worn at this year’s Met Gala have been revealed, with R&B legend Usher topping the list of exquisite accessories. Luxury watch specialist, Luxe Watches, found and ranked the retail value of the timepieces spotted at the exclusive event, which took place on 06 May 2024 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This year’s Met Gala celebrated the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion”, which inspired the theme, “The Garden of Time”. The dress code also took inspiration from a short story of the same name, written by J.G. Ballard in 1962.

Nicholas Hickey, Managing Director at Luxe Watches, said: “The Garden of Time could be interpreted in several ways, with many inspired by the beauty of nature. However, the 'time' aspect of the dress code offers a wide variety of options, such as wearing archival fashion, taking inspiration from science fiction, symbolising the passage of time, and, of course, accessorising with elegant timepieces.”

Usher placed first on the list of costly watches with the remarkable Jacob & Co Ruby Billionaire III, which is apparently valued at a staggering £5,000,000 ($6,267,000)! The Grammy-winning singer paired the timepiece with a theatrical Alexander McQueen cloak. 

Succession star Jeremy Strong followed, accessorising a bespoke cream suit, with the ultra-thin RM UP-01 Ferrari — the watch model was previously priced at £1,506,360 ($1,888,000). 

In third place, filmmaker and actor Taika Waititi accessorised an all-brown leatheJacob & Co. Royal Tourbillion wristwatch, worth an estimated £638,471 ($800,994), with a yellow diamond necklace from the same brand and an all-brown leather suit. 

Singer and rapper Rauw Alejandro ranked fourth wearing the diamond-encrusted Jacob & Co. Ashoka Boutique Watch — the brand’s third entry on this list — valued at £319,144 ($400,000). 

Rounding off the top five, Michelle Yeoh wore one of her many Richard Mille timepieces, an RM 07-02 with snow-set diamonds and a lime green strap. The watch, which complemented a foil-inspired Balenciaga gown, is predicted to cost £279,094 ($350,000).

Nicholas Hickey added: “The celebrities of the moment wore a range of extravagant luxury watches — from the classic to the unique. Luxury watches can also embody the botanical aspect of the theme, with several timepieces featuring intricate floral designs!” 

The remaining five celebrities who wore the most expensive luxury watches include the tennis legend Serena Williams, British musician Ed Sheeran, and Marvel actor Sebastian Stan. 

Nicholas Hickey concluded: “The Met Gala is the epitome of all things luxury, so it’s no surprise that an array of prestigious watches were on display. Those who make it onto the exclusive guest list are regarded as the most relevant stars, and what they wear matters. It’s always intriguing to look out for which accessories the guests choose to complement their overall ensemble or make a statement. There’s no denying that A-listers hugely influence trends as everyone tries to get a taste of their lavish lifestyle. I’m sure many of the watch designs spotted at this year’s Met Gala will make several appearances throughout the year.”

View the full top 10 most expensive luxury watches worn at the 2024 Met Gala below: 

1. Usher: Jacob & Co Ruby Billionaire III £5,000,000 ($6,267,000) 

2. Jeremy Strong: RM UP-01 Ferrari £1,506,360 ($1,888,000) 

3. Taika Waititi: Jacob & Co Royal Tourbillon £638,471 ($800,994) 

4. Rauw Alejandro: Jacob & Co. Ashoka Boutique Watch £319,144 ($400,000) 

5. Michelle Yeoh: Richard Mille RM 07-01 £279,094 ($350,000) 

6. Serena Williams: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon Openworked £227,390 ($285,000) 

7. Ben Simmons: Patek Philippe Aquanaut £182,660 ($228,946) 

8. Corey Gamble: Patek Philippe Grand Complications Engraved Perpetual Calendar £173,080 ($216,938) 

9. Sebastian Stan: Cartier Crash £150,796 ($189,000) 

10. Ed Sheeran: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar £144,173 ($180,700)

Jacob & Co Ruby Billionaire III, RM UP-01 Ferrari, Jacob & Co Royal Tourbillon, Jacob & Co. Ashoka Boutique Watch, and Richard Mille RM 07-01.