Costume Art: Best Watches Spotted at the 2026 Met Gala

What made this year particularly striking was the diversity in choices. It wasn’t only about diamond-set showpieces or headline-grabbing valuations – there was a clear shift toward connoisseurship. Independent makers, archival references, and technically impressive movements all shared the spotlight with high-jewelry creations, reinforcing watches as cultural statements.

Here’s a curated look at the standout personalities and the watches that defined the night.

At the 2026 Met Gala, Jay-Z wore the legendary Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, one of the most complicated wristwatches ever made.

Its dual-dial architecture, chiming functions, and grand complications showcase extreme horological mastery. The piece reaffirmed his status as a collector of rare grail watches and Patek Philippe’s ultimate benchmark.
 

At the Met Gala 2026, Anderson .Paak wore Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Openworked in white gold.

The dark grey skeleton movement contrasts with the polished case and bracelet, highlighting mechanical depth while preserving minimalist elegance. The piece emphasizes the Royal Oak’s iconic design language and refined contemporary horological craftsmanship.
 

At this year’s Met Gala, Irina Shayk delivered a conceptual Cartier moment inspired by archival Panthère and Santos codes.

Her sculptural look merged references to vintage watches and jewelry into a unified fashion statement, positioning Cartier timepieces as wearable architecture and reinforcing the Maison’s identity as a master at seamlessly fusing horology with high jewelry.
 

Rapper Bad Bunny wore a vintage Cartier Cloche de Cartier in yellow gold at the Met Gala 2026.

Its bell-shaped case design, originally inspired by Art Deco experimentation, sits vertically on the wrist, transforming readability into a design statement. The piece highlights Cartier’s archival creativity and sculptural approach to watchmaking.
 

Nicole Kidman wore the Omega Constellation “Manhattan” (1982) at the Met Gala 2026. The compact 23 mm design in 18K white and yellow gold is fully set with diamonds across the bezel, bracelet, and dial markers.

Its jewel-like execution reflects the Constellation’s blend of archival design, precision watchmaking, and high jewelry elegance.
 

Tyriq Withers wore the upcoming Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds in white gold with emeralds.

The baguette-cut stones form a continuous ribbon of green light across the case, enhancing its Art Deco geometry. The piece merges 1920s cocktail watch heritage with modern gem-setting and refined horological craftsmanship elegance.
 

Morgan Spector wore the IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 in white gold.

The large, balanced dial displays complex calendar complications with clarity and precision. The piece emphasizes understated luxury, focusing on proportion, engineering, and traditional watchmaking values, offering a refined, elegant presence on the Met Gala red carpet.
 

Luke Evans wore the Hublot Big Bang Unico High Jewelry 44mm in white gold set with 334 diamonds totaling 17.2 carats.

The chronograph becomes a high jewelry statement, blending mechanical complexity with extreme gem-setting. The watch delivers a bold presence, merging precision engineering with theatrical red-carpet luxury and modern horological artistry.
 

Justin Jefferson wore a Hublot Spirit of Big Bang High Jewelry King Gold 42mm fully set with diamonds.

The sculptural case combines sport-inspired design with high jewelry execution, creating a bold statement of presence. The watch embodies Hublot’s fusion of performance, luxury, and expressive horological craftsmanship.
 

Hugh Jackman wore Piaget at the 2026 Met Gala, continuing the maison’s connection to Hollywood elegance.

Jackman’s understated choice reflects Piaget’s philosophy of refined luxury, where fine watchmaking and jewelry serve as subtle expressions of character, reinforcing the brand’s presence in cinema, culture, and timeless style.
 

Dwayne Johnson wore Jacob & Co. Billionaire III, a one-of-a-kind high-jewelry tourbillon in white gold and palladium fully set with diamonds.

The Billionaire III’s skeletonized movement and architectural design transform the watch into a wearable sculpture. The piece embodies extreme luxury, showcasing Jacob & Co.’s maximalist approach to horology and craftsmanship.
 

Dwyane Wade wore the Tiffany & Co. Eternity watch, which added a refined, symbolic presence to the 2026 Met Gala red carpet.

The piece emphasizes timeless design and jewelry-driven watchmaking, reflecting Tiffany’s heritage in elegant craftsmanship. Its understated yet meaningful aesthetic reinforces the maison’s identity as a creator of enduring luxury statements.
 

Nicholas Hoult wore the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar at the 2026 Met Gala.

The watch showcases classical haute horlogerie with a finely balanced dial layout and perpetual calendar complication. Its refined, traditional aesthetic emphasizes precision, symmetry, and understated elegance, reflecting Vacheron Constantin’s long-standing mastery of formal watchmaking.
 

Finally, Mark Zuckerberg wore a George Daniels Anniversary Number 24 in yellow gold at the 2026 Met Gala.

The piece embodies independent watchmaking excellence, emphasizing hand-finishing, mechanical purity, and timeless design. Its understated aesthetic highlights horological craftsmanship over ornamentation, solidifying George Daniels’ legacy as a master of traditional independent watchmaking.