Tom Brady caused quite a stir at Roland-Garros with a watch that undoubtedly ranks as one of the highlights in his ever-expanding collection.
Over the weekend, social media was flooded with goat emojis as Tom Brady graced the French Open stands to witness Novak Djokovic clinch his record-breaking 23rd major title in Paris. While Brady himself drew attention at Roland-Garros, it was primarily due to the presence of an exceedingly rare Rolex Day-Date adorning his wrist.
Even from a distance, TB12’s new timepiece stands out with its platinum case and captivating olive green dial. However, it was the close-up shots of this Rolex that sent online watch enthusiasts into a frenzy. The Eastern Arabic numerals on the face reveal that this particular Day-Date is the Ref. 228206, a limited edition model released in 2021, exclusively available to a select few dealers in the Middle East.
Rolex began producing 40mm Day-Dates with Arabic dials by special request in the 1950s, catering to the extravagant tastes of the affluent Gulf elite, including kings, sultans, and oil barons. Production of these Arabic watches ceased in the 1970s, only to be revived in 2016 at Baselworld due to growing demand among watch aficionados. Brady’s watch features a unique viridescent dial, emphasizing its exclusivity, and such Arabic Day-Dates often command prices exceeding $100,000. This speaks volumes about the quarterback’s discerning choice in timepieces.
The rare Rolex on Brady’s wrist is just a small fraction of his increasingly coveted collection. Initially, he joined forces with TAG Heuer as a brand ambassador in 2015, earning himself a signature model. Four years later, he signed with IWC Schaffhausen, frequently sporting a range of Big Pilots and Top Gun Chronographs.
In retirement, Brady has expanded his luxury watch repertoire to include other esteemed brands. It comes as no surprise that he possesses two Audemars Piguet watches—a Royal Oak Rubber Clad and a Royal Oak Gold—given their popularity among athletes. And let’s not forget the Richard Mille RM11-03 he sported alongside Travis Scott last month in Los Angeles.
Considering its scarcity and remarkable details, Brady’s Rolex Day-Date may eventually emerge as the most valuable player in his watch rotation. While the rest of the world may still ponder whether Brady’s football career has truly come to an end, his journey as an A-list watch collector seems to be just beginning.