Hip Hop’s Top Watch Connoisseurs And Their Amazing Collections

Hip Hop’s Top Watch Connoisseurs And Their Amazing Collections

Martin Green
By Martin Green December 19, 2019

Overcoming adversity is one of the main ingredients that makes hip hop such a highly popular genre. Many of the leading artists worked their way up from very modest beginnings, using their considerable talents to translate their struggles and experiences into music that inspires millions. They gave a voice to people who had none, and are a shining example that faith and hard work can make dreams come true. As they realized their own dreams, they also gained the ability to build impressive watch collections. Many of hip-hop’s finest have shown that they have bold taste in watches, and combine this with a great understanding of quality and heritage, as the following four artists show:

Jay-Z
One of hip-hop’s leading men also has a watch collection to match. Jay-Z is a true watch connoisseur who has been spotted over the years with everything from complicated models by Richard Mille to the sleek designs from Hublot.  He is also a big fan of Patek Philippe and showed up at the 2017 Grammy’s with a Ref.6102 Celestial on his wrist. That is not the only highly complicated Patek Philippe in his collection because he is also the proud owner of one of the holy grails in today’s watchmaking – the Grandmaster Chime ref. 6300G. He is also the proud owner of a Rolex perpetual calendar, which is a one-of-a-kind piece that was made by superstar watchmaker Franck Muller himself.

Meek Mill
That Jay-Z’s love for watches runs really deep was also shown by rapper and fellow watch connoisseur Meek Mill last month. The VIP invitations for the Shawn Carter Foundation Gala Weekend, aimed at raising funds for the charity founded by Jay-Z, featured chocolate-dialed Rolex Daytonas in Everose gold. This also happens to be one of Mill’s most favorite brands, as he owns quite a few of them. The classic gold models, such as the Day-Date, can be found on his wrist, but also more recent creations by Rolex, such as the Sky-Dweller. He is not afraid to add some diamonds to the mix as well, and this is also the way that he seems to prefer the Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks that he has been seen wearing, as well.

 


Rick Ross
Audemars Piguet is also a favorite brand of Rick Ross, who has quite a few of them in his collection. The Royal Oak is a favorite, and just like his colleagues, he is not afraid to be himself and often opt for the diamond-set versions. They perfectly complement his stylish looks and rich voice. Yet it is not only his Royal Oaks that he prefers with diamonds, as he is also seen with Franck Mullers, Rolex and Hublot watches set with these precious stones. For Ross, these settings often don’t stop with just the dial, bezel and case, as the bracelet is set with diamonds as well. He owns several Breitlings, as well as a Cartier Ballon Bleu, which features a full pave setting on both the watch, as well as the bracelet.

Drake
While Drake started his career as an actor, it was music that truly brought him fame and fortune. Like many rappers did he come from a poor background, with more than his fair share of challenges along the way, but that didn’t stop him from finding his destiny through perseverance and hard work. When it comes to watches, he is not only very knowledgable but also combines this with a seriously good taste. He is a big fan of Richard Mille, owning a pink gold RM 11-03, RM 55 Bubba Watson, and even a RM 69 Erotic Tourbillon. Drake is also a fan of  Gérald Genta, the Swiss watch designer who penned down the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. Drake owns several versions of the Royal Oak, including the chronograph, while he also added the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar to his collection. This shows that Drake is not only a versatile artist but also a watch connoisseur with a keen eye for the best the watch industry has to offer.