NBA MVP Joel Embiid’s First Rolex Was a Gift From James Harden

For extra insider watch protection, get Field + Papers, GQ’s e-newsletter dedicated to the watch world, despatched to your inbox each Thursday. Join right here.

Philadelphia 76ers Joel Embiid gained his first NBA MVP this week. There have been tears, bear hugs from teammates, and all-time basic Rolex watches. We’ve got Embiid’s teammate James Harden to thank for that final half. The morning after the MVP award was introduced, Harden confirmed as much as the sector with a particular look ahead to his newly anointed teammate: a rose-gold Rolex Day-Date. 

The contents of the field, in Rolex’s signature inexperienced, would have been apparent to any watch fanatic from the leap, and Embiid pops it open with real glee: “Oooooooh, my first Rolex,” he mentioned. He later told ESPN’s Malika Andrews it was his first watch, interval. 

The watch, listed for $41,500 on Rolex’s web site, is the right piece to begin a set off with. The Day-Date was the primary watch to jot down out the times of the week and is understood for its affiliation with outstanding and highly effective figures. The watch’s bracelet is now known as the President as a result of it was the piece Lyndon B. Johnson most popular. 

So as to add to the reward, Harden additionally acquired it engraved with “23 MVP” on the caseback. It’s miraculous that Harden was in a position to not simply supply a difficult-to-find Rolex but in addition get it engraved in the middle of a single night time. Both Harden has an amazing hookup (not unlikely) or he ready for Embiid’s possible win. However I wish to think about a 3rd chance: Harden, who apparently has extra in frequent with Santa Claus than the beard, has a drawer stuffed with beautiful watches he retains available for last-minute items. (He famously gave a Richard Mille to Lil Child, too.) The one misstep was that the watch was apparently too small for Embiid’s wrists. “We’ll get you extra hyperlinks,” Harden mentioned to him. Hopefully Embiid catches the bug from his new Day-Date and we simply witnessed the start of a brand new collector. 

Rihanna’s Jacob & Co. Boutique Assortment watch

This 12 months Rihanna is (virtually) turning right into a one-brand lady in the case of watches. It’s the season of Jacob & Co. for the Unhealthy Gal. She wore the jeweler’s crimson Sensible Skeleton Northern Lights throughout her Tremendous Bowl efficiency (and once more whereas out a few weeks in the past). She went to the model once more this week, with a bit that’s extra jewellery than look ahead to CinemaCon. It’s set with 20.48 (TWENTY!) carats of blue sapphires and virtually 16 extra carats of diamonds. It’s the kind of piece that most definitely requires its personal safety element. 

Tom Holland’s Patek Philippe Aquanaut 

Some individuals actually do have all of it: front-row seats to the Lakers-Warriors sequence, a Patek Aquanaut., and a British accent. The more and more uncommon Aquanaut, one of many watchmaker’s two coveted sport fashions, is a favourite of Holland’s: He additionally owns one in rose gold. This model of the Aquanaut embraces its rugged roots with a khaki-green colorway.

On the published there was a really cute picture of Holland and Zendaya, who was carrying a Cartier Panthère. The couple that collects collectively stays collectively. 

Lewis Hamilton’s IWC Huge Pilot Perpetual Calendar “Lake Tahoe” 

The perks of being a watch-brand ambassador? Having access to an unofficial and unreleased piece, for starters. Hamilton casually pulled as much as Miami earlier than this weekend’s F1 race in a never-before-seen model of IWC’s Huge Pilot. We’ve seen Huge Pilots with perpetual calendars—the complication that retains monitor of the proper day and date till the 12 months 2100. We’ve additionally seen Huge Pilots made on this “Lake Tahoe” white ceramic. However by no means earlier than have the 2 danced collectively like this. Hopefully that is Hamilton teasing an upcoming launch slightly than a bit made particular only for him, like his all-black Huge Pilot. 

Stefon Digg’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 

Buffalo Payments receiver Diggs hid his watch from the Met Gala crimson carpet photographers however there’s solely so lengthy you may preserve a watch like this below wraps. Contained in the occasion, this all-black Audemars Piguet acquired its second to shine. That is the flip aspect of Hamilton’s bright-white IWC: a perpetual calendar made in all-black ceramic. This was one of many hottest items on the planet upon its launch in 2017 and AP has adopted it up with variations in a blueberry hue and snow white.