The NFL is full of budding watch enthusiasts, and the unique combination of money, fame, and competition is creating some eye-catching collections.
Watches and the NFL have long been intertwined. It’s no surprise that high salaries, a public profile, and crowds cheering your name could result in players paying greater attention to what they wear and how they present themselves.
Even if you have fancy cars, mansions in the hills, vacation properties, diamond rings – or even Super Bowl rings – you still need to know what time it is. And when your life is based on competition, it’s only natural that you’ll what to demonstrate your status in a tangible and easily recognizable way.
With the prominence of brain injuries in the league capturing headlines and the fact that these players are coming into millions and millions of dollars at a young age, you may expect them to have poor taste in timepieces. The good news is that they stick to the classics but add their own twist.
Tom Brady
Let’s start our overview with the man that many consider being the greatest of all time: Tom Brady. It’s no surprise that a star quarterback with seven super bowl rings to his name also has some impressive watches in his collection.
Tom Brady is currently a brand ambassador for IWC, and he’s often seen wearing a watch from the Schauffhausen manufacturer. He’s been spotted before rocking the IWC Top Gun Miramar, a sizeable 46mm pilot’s chronograph in black ceramic with fauxtina accents, IWC’s signature bold hands, and an olive drag textile strap.
When he’s feeling a little more international, Tom Brady will be seen with an IWC Timezoner on the wrist. This watch squeezes a lot of information into its 45mm case with a chronograph, date window, GMT, and worldtimer bezel.
Tom Brady navigates the football field with scientific precision, and although it doesn’t get much wrist time, he does own the most famous scientist watch, the Rolex Milgauss 116400GV. The highly-polished 40mm Rolex features a striking lighting bolt seconds hand, a blue dial, and Milgauss’s signature green-hued sapphire crystal. Prices for this model have doubled on the secondary market over the last few years, but with lucrative contract and sponsorship deals, something tells us that he’s not too concerned with the investment potential for this watch.
Aaron Donald
At 6’1” and nearly 300lbs, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald needs a watch with enough presence to match his outsized impact on the football field. In 2022, he added a super bowl ring to his list of accomplishments, and he’s been seen sporting an equally impressive watch on the wrist.
The Rolex Day-Date 40 (ref. 228206) is a commanding watch with a piercing ice blue dial and a heavy feeling on the wrist thanks to the solid platinum case and bracelet. Rolex released a fluted bezel version in 2022 – an impressive manufacturing feat for the brand – but Aaron Donald has been seen with the previous generation’s smooth bezel.
With secondary market prices hovering around $100,000 and the Rolex name on the dial, it’s a fitting watch for one of the top players on the NFL’s top team. He’s at the height of his career, and this watch certainly lets people know that he means business.
Odell Beckham Jr.
The standout wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, Odell Beckham Jr., is known for his flashy style just as much as he’s known for is impressive athletic abilities. Perhaps his biggest attention-grabbing move to date is the time he wore a $190,000 watch during a game.
While he was still playing for the Cleveland Browns, OBJ made headlines for sporting a Richard Mille RM11-03 during the competition. The watch is made to withstand high impacts, and the brand is worn by many famous athletes, but it’s always shocking to see something that costs as much as a small house being put in harm’s way.
Oddly enough, Odell Beckham Jr. announced his partnership with affordable watch brand Daniel Wellington only a few days after the controversy sent the watch world and the sports world buzzing.
Patrick Mahomes
We’ll round out this list with one of the greatest rising talents in the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He’s known for his quick feet and his ability to make any throw in any situation no matter how unorthodox it may be.
Mahomes has a quiet and humble demeanor, but he does enjoy a little bling when it comes to watches. He’s been seen celebrating with a Rolex Yacht-Master 40 (ref. 116655) with a rose gold case, Oysterflex bracelet, and a flashy pave diamond dial. It’s a luxurious take on a classic Rolex sports watch.
Speaking of rose gold, Patrick Mahomes’s most spectacular timepiece is his “Rainbow” Rolex Daytona. The chronograph has become a celebrity favorite thanks to its multi-colored gemset bezel and precious metal case. The most hype watch in the Rolex lineup got an even more hyped up makeover. It’s a love it or hate it kind of watch, but those that love it really love it, and it’s a fitting accessory for a player that many consider the future of the NFL.
