This week in watches: Jake Paul tips barber with a Rolex and Stormzy celebrates his 30th in style
We also loved seeing Christopher Nolan repping a throwback timepiece from 'Interstellar', too
EACH WEEK, we’ll be taking a look at the hottest news, developments and rare sightings in the watch world—what’s ticking, what’s trending and what’s causing jaws in various corners of the watch internet to drop. We’ll highlight new brand releases, celebrity watch spots and general news for all you horologically-minded enthusiasts.
Making (watch) headlines this week, a video has gone viral of YouTube sensation and professional boxer Jake Paul gifting his barber a brand new Rolex to say thank you for his services (as one does). Over in the UK, British rapper Stormzy celebrates his 30th birthday in style, spotted wearing his newly gifted 18K rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time.
Elsewhere, Hollywood director Christopher Nolan continues his run of press tours for his new film Oppenheimer, but this time, wearing a throw-back Hamilton timepiece that you might recognise from his 2014 blockbuster, Interstellar. And continuing on with the theme of cinema, the legendary TAG Heuer Monaco is seen front and centre of the new racing film, Gran Turismo, starring Orlando Bloom and David Harbour.
Keep scrolling for all that dropped in the watch world this week.
1
Jake Paul gifts his barber a $16.5K Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Love him or hate him, social media star Jake Paul did a noble deed this week—even if it was all for clicks—when the 26-year-old gifted his barber, an up-and-coming stylist and entrepreneur, with a brand new (but now discontinued) Rolex Oyster Perpetual. According to TMZ, Paul flew the 19-year-old barber from Canada to Puerto Rico for a fresh cut ahead of his upcoming fight with Nate Diaz.
2
Stormzy celebrates 30th birthday in style
What can we say… the British rapper knows how to celebrate in style! For his 30th birthday party, Stormzy threw an absolute corker for his friends and family at a restaurant in Knightsbridge, but it was his birthday gifts that caught our eye. Including new suits, expensive liquor and a luxurious car covered n wrapping paper, Stormzy’s new 18K rose gold Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time with a blue dial shone brightest.
3
Christopher Nolan and that classic Hamilton ‘Murph’
By now, we all know that importance that the Hamilton Khaki Field “Murph” watch played in Christopher Nolan’s epic 2014 film, Interstellar. The watch, which was worn by Matthew McConaughey’s character throughout, was a central prop to the film’s main theme of ‘time’. It was a nice nod to then see Christopher Nolan wearing this exact watch earlier in the week at an official Oppenheimer press junket. Nolan is obviously a big fan of Hamilton watches, utilising the vintage pieces from the Swiss brand’s catalogue for his film Oppenheimer.
4
TAG Heuer partners with new racing film, ‘Gran Turismo’
If you’re heading to the cinemas this month to catch the new racing flick Gran Turismo, you’ll find it hard to miss TAG Heuer’s presence within the film—specifically on the wrist of Orlando Bloom, who dons the racing-famous ‘Monaco’ watch throughout. Gran Turismo centres on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs, a “struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom) who, together, risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world”.
5
The secondary watch market is hot for Omega and Cartier timepieces right now…
…more so than Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. Yes, you read that correctly: according to a recent Bloomberg report, some timepieces from OMEGA and Cartier are fetching higher prices and more appeal than popular models from the likes of Rolex, AP and PP. While the three luxury watch brands have dominated the secondary markets for decades, within a year, prices for specific mid-tiered luxury watch models—like OMEGA Seamaster and Cartier Santos—have risen 17 per cent within the secondary watch market, reflecting a growing interest from collectors who are seeking undervalued, under-hyped timepieces. The report also highlights another contributing factor to this change in trend: the increased popularity of smaller watch case sizes.
