LeBron James, nicknamed as “The King,” is more than just the best basketball player of his generation. James is an actor, investor, philanthropist, and watch collector. The normal collector would lust after LeBron James’ Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille watches. Let’s examine 18 King’s timepieces.
Lebron James’ Patek Philippe watches
I think every watch collection needs a Gerald Genta. Gerald Genta’s Patek Philippe Nautilus is maybe his most famous watch. Some Nautiluses are LeBron’s. The Patek Philippe rose gold Nautilus chronograph Ref. 5980/1R-001 is on him. We have featured athletes using Nautiluses besides Lebron. Connor McGregor often wears it too. The Nautilus 5980/1R-001 is stunning but costs over $280,000 USD.
James has another Nautilus chronograph besides his rose gold one. His other Nautilus is the most popular watch. James was pictured sporting one of the 170 Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711-1A-018 pieces (visit our tracker to see who has one). You probably know that only one of these pieces sold at auction for charity. Phillips auctioned the watch for $6.5 million USD, but the underbidder got it for less because the successful bidder couldn’t complete the deal.
I’ll conclude with LeBron’s “Grand Complication” Patek Philippe Sky Moon Celestial Ref. 6102R. A rotating map of the heavenly bodies shows the northern hemisphere’s night sky on any given day on the watch’s black sapphire-crystal display. Secondhand Patek Philippe Sky Moon Celestials cost $360,000 USD.
Leon James’ Rolexes
Lebron has worn a few Rolex watches, but not most. LeBron has two Rolex watches: the Oyster Perpetual and the gold models. The contrast is striking for a Rolex collector. James wears a 41mm 18k yellow gold Rolex Day-Date II with Roman numerals Ref. 218238. Although the Day-Date 41 is discontinued, Lebron’s watch may be bought on the secondary market for $55,000 USD.
The other Rolex Day-Date LeBron has is popular. He has a green-dialed Everose gold Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref. 228235. This $40,350 piece sells for $84,000+ on the gray market. Why is this gold Day-Date $30,000 more expensive than others? The green dial look is true, like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe’s blue dial. Indeed, the yellow gold Rolex Daytona with green dial sells for $150,000, four times retail.
LeBron has some of Rolex’s cheapest watches. James has two Rolex Oyster Perpetuals, the entry-level model. James donned the 41mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual M124300-0007 with coral red dial. This Rolex costs $6,150, which is inexpensive. Oyster Perpetuals have risen on the secondary market, where this piece costs $23,000 USD and more.
LeBron also wore a turquoise Rolex Oyster Perpetual (M124300-0006). The secondary market sells this 41mm Rolex for $40,000 USD, despite its $6,150 USD retail price. Because the color variant resembles Tiffany Blue on the rare Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711. Watch collectors who will never obtain the Nautilus are buying the Oyster Perpetual instead, driving up the price (and secondary vendors promoting it as a “Tiffany Blue Rolex Oyster Perpetual”). Since he has both watches, LeBron doesn’t have to choose.
LEBRON JAMES’ PIGUET WATCHES
LeBron also has many Audemars Piguet timepieces. James may have started wearing APs in 2013 when he collaborated with Royal Oak Offshore on a limited edition. Despite LeBron’s size (6’9″), the timepiece is merely 44mm in diameter. The watch combines titanium and gold, a rare mix, and has a single diamond-set chrono pusher that is hidden from direct view. Limited to 600 pieces, the watch sold for $51,500 USD in 2013. On the secondary market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore LeBron James costs $80,000–$100,000.
LeBron’s pink gold Royal Oak Chronograph with blue dial is one of my favorite APs. The 41mm case and blue dial make this watch desirable. This piece sells for over $120,000 USD on the secondary market, despite its retail price of close to $40,000.
LeBron rarely wears “iced out” watches, although he was seen wearing one recently. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore (26067BC.ZZ.D002CR.01) has factory diamonds on the dial and case. The watch has a white gold case and dial with 341 brilliant-cut diamonds. This item retails for $118,000 USD, while the secondary market price is $97,940 USD.
