Does LeBron James or Michael Jordan have the better watch collection?
Our contribution to the GOAT debate
By Cayle Reid
WE, ALONG WITH most basketball fans around the world, could argue about which player is the greatest to ever play the sport until the cows come home. Fans of LeBron James will cite his longevity and cumulative stats (more points than any other player in NBA history), Michael Jordan stans will point out his flawless 6-0 finals record and larger collection of accolades. Most of it will be reductive, few minds will be changed.
In the inaugural issue of Esquire Australia, columnist Ben Jhoty wrote that the digital battlefield where the GOAT debate frequently takes place is a “hotbed of molten takes, devastating memes, cherry-picked stats and cascading comment threads,” in which “grown men wage digital war across the generational divide in a largely binary struggle to win a debate that’s trivial, pointless, futile, often puerile and frequently toxic.”
The logic behind any individual’s reasoning for why a particular player is the GOAT varies, but most will agree that gap between them is small. To help settle the debate, we’re exploring an area commonly ignored by its constituents: watch collections. If LeBron and Jordan can’t be separated on the court, perhaps their watch vaults can provide some clarity.
Both men are billionaires, according to Forbes, so few watches are out of reach in terms of price. This is simply a matter of taste, and when comparing both athletes’ taste in watches, there is a clear GOAT.
LeBron James’ watch collection
Richard Mille RM 65-01
LeBron has always been a fan of Richard Mille and has been seen wearing RM watches on numerous occasions, but earlier this year he received his own signature edition. LeBron’s version bears the signature Carbon and Quartz TPT tonneau case, but in a departure from the model’s norms, it comes in a vibrant mix of yellow and black. The movement is based on the Vaucher VMF 6710, with its dark bridges fashioned in titanium. LeBron’s personal crown logo also appears on the dial.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, ref. 26210OI.OO.A109CR.01
LeBron often wears this two-tone Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore courtside. It was designed specifically for him in collaboration with AP and has a 44mm rose gold case with an off-tone titanium bezel. It also has a diamond-covered pusher at 2 o’clock, for some subtle bling.
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Sprite’, ref. 126720VTNR
The forest green bezel of this Rolex GMT takes on new meaning when LeBron wears it, thanks to his iconic Sprite commercials. The fact that this watch is nicknamed ‘Sprite’ actually has nothing to do with LeBron, but the connection does score it some bonus points.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Black Panther’ Flying Tourbillon
Audemars Piguet released a line of character watches in collaboration with Marvel back in 2021. LeBron got his hands on one of just 250 Black Panther models, which feature an elaborate sculpture of the superhero carved out of white gold. A 42mm sandblasted titanium case and an eye-catching purple strap add even more visual flair, not that it was needed.
Rolex Day-Date 40, ref. 228235
LeBron wore this Rolex in 2023 to watch Lionel Messi’s first game with Inter Miami. It features a 40mm case in the 18-carat pink-gold Everose alloy and an olive-green dial with a sunray finish. Other highlights include the fluted bezel, President bracelet and day and date windows.
Michael Jordan’s watch collection
A Lange & Söhne Datograph, ref 403.435
Jordan wore this A Lange & Söhne Datograph to a preseason game in 2002. Revived in 1994, A Lange & Söhne’s early watches are grails among collectors and renowned for their intricate in-house movements. Jordan was an early adopter after the watchmaker’s rebirth, at a time when A Lange & Söhne was still flying under the radar for many. His Datograph features the brand’s signature oversized date display.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Double Balance Wheel
Listen, LeBron’s APs are fine. Jordan’s are just better. Seriously, look at that thing. Where LeBron’s Royal Oak’s have Black Panthers and surplus purple, Jordan’s have more traditional silver and rose gold two-tone colourings. This one shows off the openworked Calibre 3235 within, which features an intricate double balance wheel.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, ref. 126505
Jordan wore this Rolex to a NASCAR race. That race was not the Daytona 500, but we like to think the choice in watch was intentional, given its racing heritage. The rose gold Cosmograph Daytona with a matching Oyster bracelet and diamond-set indices set against a black dial is a treat for the eyes.
Greubel Forsey GMT Sport Tourbillon Titanium
Here we have the first Greubel Forsey watch to feature an integrated bracelet – a big deal. At a hefty 45mm, it features an elliptical bezel and a curved crystal. It’s complications are similarly advanced. It also boasts a 24-hour world timer, a power reserve indicator, a GMT hand, a day/night indicator and a tourbillon.
So who has the better watch collection, LeBron or Jordan?
In our opinion it’s Jordan, by a decent margin. LeBron has some nice watches in his vault, but he tends to go for bold, overly loud and occasionally tacky timepieces (that Black Panther watch is not our favourite, neither is his personalised Richard Mille). Jordan, on the other hand, has a far more refined, understated taste. He prefers traditional designs that have intricate inner workings nonetheless. We respect that.
Of course, like anything else influencing the GOAT debate, the truth of who has the better collection is largely up to your own interpretation. If you were a LeBron truther before, we doubt we’ve changed your mind. As will always be the case.
Related:
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Drake might have the world’s most over-the-top watch collection
