All the Watch References in Jay Z and Beyoncé’s ‘EVERYTHING IS LOVE’ Album

Prior to embarking on their world tour, Jay Z and Beyoncé dropped a surprise album (‘Everything is Love’). This album acts as a joint follow up to each of the couple’s previous solo albums (Jay Z’s “4:44” and Beyoncé’s “Lemonade”). The album brings these two previously-squabbling lovers together to work out their differences.

What struck me most about this album is the abundance of references to the couple’s affinity for fine timepieces. Let’s break it down by song.

Pardon my French, but perhaps that’s the point. In a poignant video shot in the Louvre, the exuberance of Jay Z and Beyoncé are on full display.

In a recurring theme, Beyoncé opens this song by talking about their marriage surviving and driving away in a Lamborghini, all while paying off debts and collecting large checks. In one sexual innuendo after another, Beyoncé makes numerous phallic references to the size of Jay Z’s jet. Then she drops it, the line that confused me: 

“Shut Down Colette”
“Philippe Patek”
“Get off my oooooh”

I’m not sure how “in the know” Beyoncé is to the history of this iconic Swiss Maison. Perhaps she may not be aware the company was founded by Antoni Patek and Adrien Philippe. Either way, she knows that some combination of these two words means luxury. 

As they say, “you never actually own a Patek Philippe”, and we can certainly confirm that you’ll never own a ‘Philippe Patek’ because they don’t exist. Or perhaps she just wanted something that rhymed with “Colette”. 

In this song, the more horologically inclined Jay Z adds two references that refer to ancient pocket watches and modern watchmaking. First, he finds a way to rap about being in the jungle. 

“I’m a gorilla in a *ucking coupe”
“Finna pull up in the zoo”

A few lines later he says:

“Pocket watching like kangaroos, tell these clowns we ain’t amused”

While we count find a single photo of Jay Z with a pocket watch, it’s good to know that he understands that past, present, and future of watchmaking. 

Jay concludes the song by referring to a Richard Mille of some kind:

“Two hundred fifty for the Richard Mille”

This is seemingly accurate. The average price of an RM is in that ballpark and Jay Z is known to own a few.

In maybe a follow up to “BOSS” Jay Z opens this song by talking about how he can do anything and having no fears of death. Again, there are countless references to his cashflow situation while he gives listeners a lesson on invoicing. He closes song by repeating:

“Ice, Ice, Ice, Ice, Ice, Ice, Ice”

Perhaps he’s still bitter about the valuation of his Hublot Big Bang?

It’s common knowledge that fame breeds envy and real friends can become enemies. This is often a byproduct of success. This song reminds us that life at the top isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. While there are no watch references on this one, we can at least celebrate the fact that Meek Mill is out of jail.

“Can you tell us about love?”

In this touching song, Jay Z and Beyoncé talk about unconditional love. Whether it be humanity or of your fellow man, the couple reminds us to love each other. For his part, Jay Z drops the line “I’m good on any MLK boulevard” an obvious reference to his popularity in urban areas. However, this song goes from humble to braggadocios in less than a minute. 

While talking about the need to love people of all colors, faiths, and ethnicities, Jay Z then brings it back to his wrist with the very topical line:

“Got the Richard Mille all colors 
Might hit you with the Rose Gold all summer”

Throughout Richard Mille’s history, the brand has made a variety of colorful timepieces. From the RM-27 Nadal to the colorful RM-67 lineup, the brand has remained very playful with their palates. However, I was hard-pressed to find a photo of Jay Z with an RM that wasn’t white gold, rose gold, or white/black ceramic. 

For the “Rose Gold” portion of this line, Jay Z has to be referring to his Richard Mille RM-11 ‘Felipe Massa’ which he’s been pictured wearing countless times.