Sporting events used to be an opportunity to flex the athletic muscle, showcasing the incredible achievements only possible for those with extreme dedication, but in recent years, things have changed. The on-field prowess remains, but there is a side spectacle that demands its own fanbase. Truly, the celebrity fashion stakes have taken precedence over the sporting world and at Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles on Sunday, perennial NBA All-Star LeBron James dominated. The four-time NBA MVP was spotted dripping in jewellery, but his prized piece was the “Tiffany Blue” Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711, an incredibly rare timepiece released in December of last year.
Watching on from the stands as the Los Angeles Rams took down the Cincinnati Bengals in a thrilling Super Bowl victory, attention was drawn to James’ wrist. A well-known watch collector, the NBA star turned heads with the baby blue addition that many are calling a proverbial ‘grail‘, and for good reason.
The “Tiffany Blue” Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 was released at the height of the model’s interest after the iconic Genevan company confirmed it was discontinued the Ref. 5711. A collaboration that celebrated the anniversary of Patek Philippe and American jeweller Tiffany & Co.’s working relationship, the timepiece was limited to only 170 editions, with Thierry Stern, Patek Phillipe’s president confirming to CNBC it was “really the last round for this watch”.
The original release was earmarked for a retail price of USD$52,635, but it wasn’t as if they were easy to get. Only VIP clients were able to get their hands on the limited release, pushing the price significantly higher. In fact, a Tiffany Blue Nautilus went under the hammer for charity late last year, selling for USD$5.3 million, more than 100 times its original price.
For LeBron James, a man with an estimated net worth of around USD$850 million, that does seem like spare change, and he’s not alone. Over the past few months, we’ve seen a number of high-profile celebrities sporting the incredible timepiece, from music mogul Jay-Z to movie star Leonardo DiCaprio. You can now add arguably the greatest NBA player in the world to that list now.
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