Tyler, the Creator Levels Up His Watch Game

Tyler, the Creator is a patron saint of the cheap watch. For years, the rapper has remained loyal to his $11 Casio, pairing it with his favorite Gucci, Supreme, and Louis Vuitton. His choice put him in good company: Kristen Stewart and John Mayer are also big Casio fans. So it was something of a shock to see the rapper on the People’s Choice Awards red carpet this week with an unfamiliar pink strap and gold square-shaped case. Tyler, it seemed, had gone from Casio to Cartier. Here’s hoping his wrist can get accustomed to crocodile leather after years of plastic. Also this week, golf champs and NBA draftees commemorate the moment with a watch.

Tyler, the Creator’s Cartier Santos-Dumont

Tyler’s watch appears to be one all his own: an older version of the Cartier Santos-Dumont, without the typical exposed screwdowns on the bezel, and with a pink strap attached. It’s a super simple and elegant watch. And if his Casio put Tyler in good company, the Cartier transports him into an elite club. Cartier watches have been worn by everyone from Andy Warhol to Kanye West. Since Cartier’s founding, a trip to the jeweler has been a rite of passage for the wealthy, famous, and—most importantly—transcendently stylish. Tyler fits snugly into the long lineage of other Cartier wearers.

Dustin Johnson’s Hublot Big Bang and Tiger Woods’s Rolex Submariner

Masters winner Dustin Johnson actually has a collaborative watch with Hublot. His Big Bang Unico Golf is able to keep track of the hole you’re on as well as the total number of swings taken over the course of a full 18. This is not the watch Johnson wore on Sunday, though. Instead, the golfer paired his new green jacket with a very limited-edition Big Bang “Beverly Hills” edition. Only 25 pieces of this specific edition, with its blue dial and high-contrast white accents, exist.

Bonus: While helping Johnson pull on his new champion’s jacket, Tiger Woods appeared wearing a Rolex Submariner. Tiger’s is likely the brand-new version of the Sub that headlined Rolex’s collection of new releases for 2020. He may not have repeated at the Masters, but Tiger is still winning.

Novak Djokovic’s Seiko Astron Novak Djokovic 2020 edition

Djokovic and Johnson prove there are two very different ways to be a champion. While Johnson wore the very high-end Hublot, Djokovic is sticking with a more affordable Seiko. The blue and gold design of his very own edition of the Seiko Astron is inspired by the colors of both the Serbian and Japanese flags, referencing Djokovic’s birthplace and the location of Seiko HQ.

LaMelo Ball’s Rolex Sky-Dweller

Talking with GQ before the draft, LaMelo Ball said he “loves all the bright shiny stuff.” That line referred to his studded gold shoes, but I’d like to think he was also talking about this very icey take on the Rolex Sky Dweller. The watch may be a useful icebreaker for Ball as he heads to the Charlotte Hornets: team owner Michael Jordan is also the proud owner of a Sky-Dweller.

Obi Toppin’s Cartier Santos

Watch spotting is a flat circle. Knicks draftee Obi Toppin wore a unique version of the Cartier Santos with a black dial and frosted bezel and bracelet combination from Jason of Beverly Hills. (The jeweler is also the man behind Ball’s chain.) Whether you’re an iconically stylish rapper or top-10 draft pick, want a pink crocodile leather band or frosted bracelet, the Santos can provide.