Celebrity Watch Sightings: Tribeca Film Festival 2026

From June 3 through June 14, Hollywood stars made their presence known in New York City for the Tribeca Film Festival. This glamorous event features screenings of feature films as well as numerous talks, panels, games, art, and other immersive programming. And of course, celebrity style from outfits to accessories does not disappoint.

The Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff. The trio wanted to help revitalize the buoyancy and economic spirit of the Tribeca neighborhood after the fall of the twin towers on September 11, 2001. This year, the festival celebrated its 25th occurrence, emphasizing the ongoing strength and resilience of New Yorkers. Between this glitzy festival and the New York Knicks’ NBA Championship win, it was a stellar weekend for The Empire State.

Cotton Fever took home the coveted top prize for narrative film at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Other winners included Labrador – Autopsy of Silence in the international film category and Jail Time Records in the documentary category. Summer of Three also took home a few awards, including best performances in a narrative film. As a whole, the juried competition was competitive and memorable, with exceptional films hailing from every corner of the globe.

As watch lovers, however, our gaze was drawn to the wrists of the countless celebrities who attended the screenings and parties associated with the event. Here are some of our favorite luxury watches that we spotted at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival.

At the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, Jason Bateman hosted a live episode of his Good One podcast with Jesse David Fox. Bateman wore a casual yet tailored outfit of black jeans with a khaki canvas button down over a white tee. But the true piece de resistance of his look was a unique Rolex Daytona watch with a light face and dark subdials. Bateman, who is left-handed, is known to wear his watches on his right wrist rather than his left. Because of this, his watch collection includes a few special edition pieces with the crown on the opposite side versus a standard model. Bateman has been photographed on numerous occasions wearing his treasured vintage Rolex Daytona reference #6263, and we suspect that was his watch of choice at his 2026 Tribeca Film Festival event as well.

The Rolex Daytona is a classic racing watch with a long history in the world of motorsports. It was initially popularized by actor-turned-racecar-driver Paul Newman in the 1960s and 1970s. Although the line was premiered years before, it was Newman’s involvement that truly gave it a push into the cultural zeitgeist. Nowadays, the Daytona line remains a popular choice for celebrities and global watch collectors alike. Its distinguished face showcases three subdials for reading the chronograph display, and a tachymeter bezel is a nod at the piece’s racing heritage. Rolex Daytona watches are some of the most recognizable timepieces on the market today, and they exude class and taste from every angle.

American rapper Styles P is perhaps best known for his career with the East Coast hip-hop group The LOX. At the Tribeca Film Festival, a documentary about the group (Trinity: The Story of The LOX) premiered to much fanfare. Styles P attended the event with bandmates Jadakiss and Sheek Louch. Styles P is also a born-and-raised New Yorker (he grew up in Queens), making his Tribeca Film Festival documentary premiere even more meaningful. So, how did the legendary rapper dress for this special occasion? His monochromatic olive green athleisure look perfectly complemented a sleek Rolex Day-Date in the same color. The rose gold band and case were an ideal match with an olive green dial that radiated warmth.

The Rolex Day-Date is a staple of Rolex’s dress watch lines, showcasing the day of the week at the 12 o’clock position and the day of the month at the 3 o’clock position. Its memorable design complements numerous different Rolex bracelets, including the classic Oyster Bracelet, the decadent Jubilee Bracelet, and the formidable Presidential Bracelet (seen above). This line has been a favorite of numerous household names, from celebrities to United States presidents and world leaders across the globe.

In addition to Styles P, other celebrities who love the Day-Date line include Jennifer Lopez, MMA star Conor McGregor, Victoria Beckham, Jay-Z, David Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres, Bruno Mars, Aziz Ansari, Justin Bieber, and others. With a roster of fans like that, it is no wonder that the Rolex Day-Date remains a popular choice for watch lovers all over the planet. One thing is for sure: Wearing a Rolex Day-Date is an immediate signal of success and taste.

Corey Woods, who is better known by the rap alias Raekwon, is a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He attended the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Trinity: The Story of The LOX in support of his fellow musicians Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch. Raekwon’s look might initially scream athleisure, but there is no doubt that his style has a touch (or perhaps a bucket) of luxury mixed in. A bright yellow Loewe hoodie was the focal point, and he paired it with a black Louis Vuitton shoulder back as well as decadent diamond jewelry. Immediately, we were pulled toward the diamond-set Audemars Piguet Royal Oak on Rakewon’s wrist, a stunning example of the intersection between haute horology and high jewelry.

If you are looking for a truly glamorous timepiece, a diamond-set Royal Oak will not disappoint. These watches showcase the Royal Oak line’s iconic angles, octagonal bezel, and exposed screws. At the same time, they add a layer of luxury where the typical Royal Oak takes a more subdued approach. Raekwon’s iced-out Audemars Piguet watch was crafted from luminous 18K rose gold, but the brand also makes diamond-set numbers in white and yellow gold, appealing to consumers with all different styles. No matter which option you choose, there is no doubt that a Royal Oak watch decked out in diamonds is going to completely transform your watch collection. These are timepieces that turn heads, that speak volumes without saying a single word, and that are destined to become treasured family heirlooms down the line.

Famed American filmmaker and actor Spike Lee has been all over the news this week for his extravagant (and often hilarious) celebrations at the NBA Finals as he supported his home team: the New York Knicks, of course. He still found time to attend the 25th Tribeca Film Festival, however, and his commitment to the Knicks did not fade during the day. Whether moderating a conversation with Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal or attending a panel about Oprah Winfrey’s legacy of storytelling, Spike Lee showed off his Knicks pride with orange and blue outfits galore. Of course, his watch hit the mark as well: Lee strapped on an OMEGA Seamaster in orange and blue hues to complement his iconic looks.

OMEGA watches have been a classic American icon since the 1960s, when the OMEGA Speedmaster became the so-called “Moonwatch” after accompanying astronauts to the moon on the Apollo 11 mission. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong wore their OMEGA watches onto the moon’s surface, and command module pilot Michael Collins wore his within the spaceship. There are plenty of photographs of the Apollo 11 crew with their moonwatches, and the timepiece has become part of the story of American success and innovation. Spike Lee is one of many celebrities who love OMEGA watches, and they were also popular at this year’s Golden Globes, Oscars, and other important red carpet events. Discover your new favorite OMEGA watch at Avi & Co.

At Avi & Co., we specialize in renowned luxury watch brands from around the globe, including Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. These brands offer high resale values and strong investment potential that is highly appealing to savvy collectors. Visit any one of our three showrooms, each stocked with glamorous accessories and high-end timepieces, to experience the Avi & Co. difference for yourself.

Do not forget to explore our own Avi & Co. watch lines as well as our decadent Diamonds by Avi & Co. jewelry line, perfect for the sophisticated modern woman, when you visit. No matter the occasion, we have the accessories you need.

Make an appointment today to shop with us in person today. We cannot wait to offer you a warm welcome into our Avi & Co. family.