Top 5 NBA Players with the most expensive watches: Michael Jordon, LeBron James, and more | NBA News
In the NBA, the game of one-upmanship doesn’t stop when the final buzzer sounds. For the league’s elite, the tunnel walk has become a high-stakes gallery for some of the rarest horological treasures on the planet. It’s just not about high-end luxury, but about pieces that cost more than some luxury mansions. With time, the trend has shifted away from generic bling toward complex mechanical masterpieces that act as wearable venture capital. To understand these investments, one would have to compare the boutique price and the auction reality. In this world, retail is for the fans, whereas the auction value is for the legends.
1. LeBron James : Patek Philippe Nautilus “Tiffany Blue”
LeBron isn’t just the king of the court; he’s the king of the secondary market. He famously debuted the Tiffany & Co. x Patek Philippe Nautilus (Ref. 5711/1A-018)—a watch that redefined scarcity. While the retail price was a modest $52,635, its auction value sits at a staggering $6.5 million due to its rarity, as only 170 pieces were made, making it a collectible item.
2. Michael Jordan : Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon
Though he’s a team owner now, MJ’s watch game remains the gold standard. His crown jewel is the Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon, a piece that screams “GOAT” without saying a word. This piece retailed for $1.1 Million, with current market values climbing past $1.25 Million, as it is a “Haute Joaillerie” masterpiece crafted from platinum and set with 568 baguette-cut diamonds and 234 royal blue sapphires. Limited to just 30 pieces, it a priceless artifact in the eyes of collectors.
3. James Harden : Richard Mille RM 11-03 “Jean Todt”
Harden is known for loud fashion, and his Richard Mille RM 11-03 Jean Todt edition follows suit. Encased in blue TPT Quartz, it’s made of cutting-edge materials, making the case highly resistant to impact, scratches, or extreme conditions. Richard Mille pieces are known for flipping because of their scarcity and high demand, and that is what happened with Harden. During the launch, the watch that retailed for roughly $150,000, now in 2025, ranges between $750,000 – $900,000.
4. LaMelo Ball : Customised Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
LaMelo’s style is all about being exclusive, and his custom AP Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph fits that category perfectly. Ball customized the watch with numerous diamonds to have a completely iced-out look. While a base model of this watch might retail for $120,000, Ball’s factory-set “Rainbow” version is valued at $600,000+. Normally, after such modifications, the value of a watch reduces, but LaMelo used top-tier material. And despite the spiky look, the watch’s price has driven up to five times the base price.
5. Anthony Davis : Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 25th Anniversary Chronograph Tourbillon in 18K Rose Gold
Anthony Davis’s 18K Rose Gold Piguet screams exclusivity as only 50 pieces were made to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore line, with a new dial constructed to be a true element of contemporary architecture. The retail price for this watch is $325,000, while the market price is $435,000. The watch features a new case design with a thinner bezel providing a more open dial, and black ceramic pushers for the chronograph and a 100m water resistance. Also read: 5 Active WNBA players who own signature shoe line: Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, and more
