It seems like the whole world visited France this summer to watch the 2024 Olympic games take place in Paris – and with countless A-list celebrities from around the globe descending on the Olympic arenas, watch-spotting opportunities were at their finest.
In between cheering as swimming superstar Katie Ledecky brought home her 13th Olympic medal in the 4 x 200m freestyle relay and watching in awe as renowned gymnast Simone Biles won her record-breaking ninth medal in the individual all-around artistic gymnastics competition, media outlets like NBC panned to the celebrities in the audience… and boy, were there celebrities!
Recognizable faces like Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Holmes, Tom Cruise, Spike Lee, Martha Stewart, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, and unofficial Olympics mascot Snoop Dogg swarmed to Paris to cheer on Team USA athletes. And of course, they took the opportunity to showcase elite style with luxury watches, designer ensembles, and more.
Let’s take a look at some of the hottest luxury watches spotted at the 2024 Paris Olympics… and where you can get similar pieces for your own collection!
Tom Cruise’s Rolex Day-Date Meteorite Dial
A notable face in the world of luxury watch collectors, American actor Tom Cruise arrived in Paris to watch the women’s gymnastics finals. His entire look exuded the kind of quiet luxury that you can only accomplish with… you know… major money. Cruise paired dark-wash jeans with a waffle-textured white sweater polo and silver aviator sunglasses for an understated, elegant ensemble.
But the cherry on top was his Rolex Day-Date watch. The Rolex Day-Date is available in a 36mm size as well as a 40mm size, though Cruise typically prefers the 40mm, seen here in white gold with a unique meteorite dial.
The Rolex Day-Date, which was first introduced in 1956, was the first watch to display both the date and the day of the week, spelled out in full. It is a staple of the Rolex collection, and to wear a Day-Date is to put your commitment to watchmaking tradition and horological excellence at the forefront.
Looking for a Day-Date watch to rival Tom Cruise’s piece? His meteorite dial is a unique touch – but for those who would prefer a slightly more subtle look, the slate gray dial of this Rolex Day-Date 40 watch is a classic aesthetic that will never go out of style.
Spike Lee’s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Another celebrity in the stands at the 2024 Olympic games? Noted director Spike Lee, who is behind projects like Da 5 Bloods, BlacKkKlansman, Malcolm X, and others. As if taking inspiration from Tom Cruise’s meteorite dial, Spike Lee also wore a watch with an interesting face: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.
Lee’s twist on the classic Daytona Rolex took it up a notch in the direction of casualness with a rubber band made for comfort and sportiness – the perfect choice for the Olympic games. Looking for a watch to rival Spike Lee’s? This Rolex Daytona is currently in stock at Avi & Co. – and with a similar strap paired with a black diamond dial, it exudes the utmost luxury.
Spike Lee accessorized his Rolex Daytona with a classic red, white, and blue ensemble – plus a little bit of orange, and the director is a famed New York Knicks fan! One of the beautiful things about a Rolex Daytona watch, especially one with a rubber strap, is its ability to be dressed up or down. It looks just as at home on your wrist wearing an athleisure outfit as it does with a dressy suit for a formal dinner.
Vincent Cassel’s Audemars Piguet Code 11.59
Among the many notable French celebrities attending the Olympic events was Vincent Cassel, a notable actor and director whom American audiences might recognize from his role as villainous heist-man François Toulour in the film Ocean’s Twelve, which also features George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Cassel’s unique Audemars Piguet watch stole the show.
Vincent arrived at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on July 26, 2024, with his girlfriend Narah Baptisa. The two were photographed in front of the Eiffel Tower ready to cheer on France’s premier athletes in this celebration of physical prowess. Cassel’s watch, a unique Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, boasts the coveted “Starwheel” face in a black and blue palette accented by an 18K white gold case.
The best news of all? For watch enthusiasts looking to get their hands on a piece to mimic Cassel’s, Avi & Co. is here to help. Check out this Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 model 15212NB made of black ceramic with a blue aventurine dial. The 41 mm size and comfortable textile strap make this a flexible watch for wearers of any gender.
Celebrities were not the only ones sporting exceptional horological masterpieces at the Paris Olympic games. Athletes wore amazing watches too…
Rafael Nadal’s Richard Mille 27-05
Stealing the show on the Roland Garros courts in his bright red and orange outfit, Nadal took on the men’s doubles events with partner Carlos Alcaraz, the most recent winner of England’s Wimbledon event. While the pair of Spaniards were ultimately knocked out of the competition by the American team, Nadal did not miss an opportunity to highlight his partnership with watchmaking giant Richard Mille.
As Nadal is one of the only athletes who wears a watch while playing, his commitment to Richard Mille watches is a testament to the brand’s constant innovation and development. These watches were built to withstand the tremendous amount of pressure and speed that Nadal subjects them to – and you can sport one, too!
Looking for a brightly colored Richard Mille watch to match Nadal’s neon vibes at the Olympics this year? Look no further than the eye-catching RM 030 watch.
Like all of Richard Mille’s creations, this watch was meant to withstand some serious wear. The watch’s specs speak for themselves. The RM 030’s 50mm titanium case is assembled with 20 spline screws in grade-five titanium, a declutchable rotor, and date functionality. The watch is powered by the automatic RMAR1 caliber, and it boasts a lengthy 55-hour power reserve.
Serena Williams’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
While she is not competing in this year’s Olympic games, Serena Williams has rocked countless Olympic tennis courts by herself and with her sister, Venus Williams. She holds four Olympic medals in tennis. This year, she is spectating rather than playing – and she arrived in Paris for the opening ceremony wearing an eye-catching red Dolce & Gabbana dress. But the best part of her look? The open-worked Audemars Piguet Royal Oak she sported on her wrist.
Williams has been an ambassador for the brand for years, and she is routinely seen wearing Audemars Piguet watches, including to the 2024 Met Gala. This time, her white gold watch combined an oversize 41 mm dial with a skeletonized look at the watch’s inner workings, displayed in a striking rose gold contrast. Looking for a watch like Serena’s?
Get your hands on this open-worked Audemars Piguet Royal Oak only at Avi & Co. This frosted, white gold watch offers a similar look at the inner workings of the complex watch with rose gold and yellow gold details. At 37mm, its refined size exudes elegance while maintaining a subtle yet commanding presence on the wrist. Plus, water resistance of up to 50 meters adds versatility to this remarkable design.
Taking Inspiration from Luxury Watches at the Paris Olympics
From athletes like Rafael Nadal to celebrity spectators like Tom Cruise, the 2024 Paris Olympics has proven to be one of the most glamorous yet when it comes to the luxury watches on display both in the crowd and in the competition arenas. Looking for the next horological masterpiece to add to your collection? You cannot go wrong with a piece inspired by the watches spotted at the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.
At Avi & Co., we are a team of trusted watch purveyors who can help you find the piece that is perfect for your unique lifestyle, aesthetics, and preferences. Our three locations in New York City, Miami, and Aspen mean that we have a vibrant presence in America’s best and biggest watch markets. Come visit us today to find a watch worth winning Olympic gold!
