2021’s Best and Most Significant Celebrity Watch Spots

In our short time as a news publication/blog, Wrist Enthusiast has made a name in the watch spotting niche of the industry. We have spent a lot of time looking at the collections of noted celebrity watch collectors as well as the watches featured in acclaimed films and television shows. Thus, we thought it would be a fun way to wrap up 2021(and usher in 2022) by pointing out 8 of the best and most significant celebrity watch spots of 2021. 2021 saw the world get back to some sense of normalcy (a new normal I guess), so there were more opportunities for celebrities to showcase their favorite timepieces. Here they are in chronological order.

Joe Biden Wears a Rolex Datejust to his Presidential Inauguration - January 20, 2021

Any time a new President is sworn in, it is a special event. The 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden was even more anticipated by watch collectors, because Biden has been known to have some nice watches, including an Omega Speedmaster and Seamaster. Well Uncle Joe didn’t disappoint. He was spotted at his inauguration wearing a classic Rolex, the Datejust 41mm with smooth bezel, jubilee bracelet, and sunburst blue dial. Indeed, this might be the hottest Datejust currently on the market. If you are interested in the watches of presidents, read about the watches of the living former U.S. Presidents here.

Caeleb Dressel Wears an Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph Diver After Winning Olympic Gold - August 2, 2021

The Tokyo Olympics, delayed by the pandemic, may have been called the 2020 Olympics, but they most certainly occurred in 2021. The USA continued its dominance in mens swimming, including a dominating 5 gold-medal performance from Caeleb Dressel. Dressel was spotted shortly after during interviews wearing an Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph Diver 300M with a NATO strap with an American flag pattern. It turns out, Dressel deservedly became an Omega ambassador during the Olympics. I am happy that Omega is dressing their aquatic athlete partners with dive watches.

Lionel Messi Wears a Rolex Yacht-Master When Joining Paris Saint-Germain - August 10, 2021

The sports world was shocked in 2021 when Argentinian soccer star Leo Messi left Barcelona (a team he had played for since he was 17) and signed a two year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Upon his arrival in Paris, he greeted fans wearing a gold Rolex Yacht-Master and a shirt that had PSG’s slogan “Ici C’est Paris” or “This is Paris” in English. You can also read about the watches of famous soccer players here.

Simu Liu Wears a Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar to the Met Gala - September 13, 2021

2021 was a great wrist-year for superheroes. MCU newcomer Simu Liu, who starred as Xu Shang-Chi (or Shaun) in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, showed up to the 2021 Met Gala wearing the out of this world 48mm white gold Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar Planet flying tourbillon watch. The Met Gala is known for celebrities wearing fashion-forward, avant-garde outfits so it make sense that Liu would be wearing something from Jacob Arabo. Make sure to check out our article on the watches worn in Marvel and DC Comics movies.

Meghan Markle Wears a Cartier Tank on the Cover of Time Magazine - September 27, 2021

Whether you are on the side of the Monarchy or Harry and Meghan, Meghan Markle made waves in 2021. While Markle and Prince Harry decided to step away from the Royal Family in 2020, they made their reasoning known in 2021. This started with a sit down interview with none other than Oprah Winfrey. Markle then would appear on the cover of Time Magazine’s most influential people of 2021, along with her husband. Markle, already known own several Cartier watches, was once again wearing one, this time a classic gold Cartier Tank Francaise. But this watch is not just any old Cartier. This piece belonged to Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. Although Prince Harry had initially taken his mother's sapphire engagement ring, his brother William, who had the Cartier, asked him to swap before proposing to Kate Middleton. The Cartier watch was then given to Meghan when she married Harry in 2018. Given Princess Diana’s well known issues with the Royal Family, one wonders if Meghan was making a statement wearing her Cartier for the photoshoot. Read about the watches of the Royal Family here.

Drake Wears a Richard Mille Piece Unique Ref. RM 056 FOR HIS 35TH BIRTHDAY - October 24, 2021

Drake is a well known watch collector, and one of the brands he shows off quite often is Richard Mille. Nobody was surprised when he showed off his newest Richard Mille on his 35th birthday. The one of one piece was the Richard Mille RM 056 Sapphire Split-Seconds Chronograph. This piece has nearly doubled in value in the few years since it was originally released and costs about $5,500,000 USD. Talk about a birthday gift to yourself! You can read about Drake’s other Richard Mille watches here.

Tom Holland Wears a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5940R to the Spider-Man Premiere - December 13, 2021

When I first saw that Tom Holland wore a rose gold Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5940R to the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere I was impressed by the decision to wear an understated, yet classy (and complicated) Patek Philippe by the young Marvel star. After doing a little bit of research, it appears Mr. Holland is quite the watch collector, with an affinity for Patek Philippes. Holland has been photographed wearing multiple different Aquanaut models as well other brands, such as Cartier and Piaget.

Jay-Z is the first Person Spotted Wearing the Coveted Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus - December 15, 2021

The biggest watch industry news of the final month of 2021 was surely the release of the Tiffany Blue and Tiffany Stamped stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1A-018 and the subsequent charity auction where it sold for $6.5 million USD including auction fees. Following the auction, rumors were rampant about which lucky celebrities would be allocated one of the 170 pieces. The watch community’s questions were answered only a few days later when Jay-Z was spotted wearing a Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus. Both Jay-Z and his wife, Beyonce, are Tiffany ambassadors, so it makes perfect sense that they Jay would be one of the first to get the highly coveted timepiece. And yes, we are extremely jealous.