Luxury Watches Spotted at the 2026 Met Gala

On May 4, all eyes were on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, where the annual Met Gala takes place. This exclusive, invite-only event is presided over by Vogue’s longtime editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. The highlight, of course, is the incredible red carpet looks, photographed in detail for anyone who appreciates haute couture and fashion-forward attire to pore over the following morning.

This year, the gala’s theme was “Costume Art.” The dress code, described simply as “Fashion Is Art,” was interpreted in a wide range of ensembles. Dressing the body was paramount to this theme, and we see a variety of dressed and un-dressed looks. From Heidi Klum’s memorable statue costume (complete with heavy-duty prosthetics) to Kylie Jenner’s faux-nude dress, celebrities and A-listers from around the world embraced the Fashion Is Art theme.

We could spend hours delving into the intricacies of our favorite outfits at the event, but that topic has been covered. Instead, we want to turn our attention to an often overlooked aspect of Met Gala fashion: the accessories.

Here at Avi & Co., we are Manhattan’s premier retailer for luxury watches and fine diamond jewelry. Our experts in upscale accessories trained their eyes on Met Gala coverage to spot the most extravagant pieces on display. As ever, the event’s attendees did not disappoint. Uncover the creme de la creme of this year’s Met Gala timepieces.

We see the world’s most recognizable faces converge on the steps of the Met each May, but why are they there? And what do they do during the event?

The inner workings of the Met Gala are rather secretive, but here is what we do know: The event is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and celebrates the annual launch of a new featured exhibition. This year’s exhibit, on Costume Art, will open up to the public following the event. In 2026, the event raised a record-breaking $42 million.

Generally speaking, the Met Gala is chaired by a panel of a select few celebrities, who collaboratively host the event. This year was no exception, and the “Costume Art” exhibition was graced with a premier posse: Anna Wintour, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Beyonce. There is also a larger hosting committee, with members including Angela Bassett, Gwendoline Christie, Lena Dunham, Teyana Taylor, and others. For 2026, event sponsors Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were also named co-chairs.

What happens inside the Met Gala? That is largely a secret, as attendees must abide by a no phones (and thus, no social media) policy once indoors. We do know that there is dinner, cocktails, and a high-profile performance. This year’s performers were Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna. While we have now seen photos of the event’s fruit-forward tablescapes and elite menu, this information is typically kept quiet until after the gala is over, adding to its exclusivity.

Since the first Met Gala in 1948, the event has been a hotbed of haute couture, opulent fashion, and luxury in every sense of the word. Elite watches, on both men’s and women’s wrist, often go unnoticed as over-the-top outfits take center stage. But at Avi & Co., we make it a point to shed light on these important accessories that enhance the appeal and prestige of any red carpet look. Here are some of the best luxury timepieces we spotted at the 2026 Met Gala.

The haunting silhouette of the Cartier Crash makes waves every time it is spotted on the red carpet. This year, Rami Malek wore a stunning vintage Crash model with a platinum case. While the watch often draws comparisons to Salvador Dali’s famous The Persistence of Memory painting, its melted look was apparently inspired by a damaged watch brought into the Cartier workshop in the 1960s. Regardless of its backstory, the Cartier Crash is without a doubt a perfectly arty choice to complement the “Fashion Is Art” theme of the night. This model is also a veteran Met Gala attendee, and made headlines back in 2024 when Sebastian Stan wore one to that year’s Met Gala.

Nobody does a perpetual calendar watch quite like Audemars Piguet, the Swiss watch maison that patented the leap year indicator. Royal Oak models are the backbone of the brand’s modern identity, and the perpetual calendar editions add an additional element of class and prestige to the iconic sports watch. Tennis great Serena Williams has been a longtime partner of Audemars Piguet, so it is no surprise that she chose a Royal Oak watch for the Met Gala event that her sister was co-chairing. Williams’ metallic silver and gold ensemble perfectly offset the complex yet graceful engineering of the stunning self-winding watch on her wrist.

NBA star Russell Westbrook turned heads in the iconic Rolex Daytona rainbow edition, which was the ideal accessory to complement his royal blue ensemble. Westbrook opted out of a shirt under his blazer, and we still could not tear our eyes away from the decadent timepiece on his wrist. The rainbow Rolex Daytona has become a favorite of athletes across many different sports, with other famous wearers including quarterbacks Patrick Mahomas of the Kansas City Chiefs and Tom Brady of New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers acclaim. Westbrook’s colorful watch was a perfect match for the “Fashion Is Art” theme, as you might consider this memorable timepiece a work of art in its own right.

Avi & Co. Insights: If you love the bright and celebratory rainbow aesthetic of this stunning Rolex, do not miss our very own line of Frosted Rainbow watches. These recently released marvels feature a sapphire-studded bezel surrounding an opulent diamond dial. Available in both 18K white gold and 18K rose gold, all this rainbow needs is you.

Tyriq Withers, the American actor famous for roles in Tell Me Lies and Reminders of Him, showed off a stunning Jaeger-LeCoultre watch at the 2026 Met Gala. This Art Deco masterpiece showcases geometric lines and exquisite craftsmanship, pairing 18K white gold with a stunning bezel set with precious gems. Withers’ watch was adorned with emeralds, the May birthstone. Finn Wolfhard, star of Stranger Things, wore the same Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface watch set with sapphires instead of emeralds (seen above). These two luxurious timepieces are a sure sign that Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are set to see a boom in popularity in the coming weeks and months: Met Gala looks have a significant influence on the market.

Canadian model and actor Paul Anthony Kelly has captured the hearts of many as John F. Kennedy, Jr. in the first season of the FX miniseries Love Story, which follows the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Of course, his appearance at the Met Gala was a must. While he opted for a relatively classic tuxedo, his burgundy Vacheron Constantin watch pushed his overall ensemble to the next level. The exquisite pop of color from this stunning new release is yet another reminder to be bold, wear what you love, and lean into eye-catching styles. Clearly, Paul Anthony Kelly knows the rules of fashion at the Met Gala.

There were far too many amazing watches at the Met Gala to give each one the screentime it deserves. We encourage you to explore these stunning pieces as well…

• Colman Domingo’s vintage OMEGA Speedmaster Constellation “Manhattan” Grand, which reportedly came straight from the OMEGA museum in Switzerland


• Jay Z’s Patek Philippe Grand Complications Grandmaster Chime watch, perhaps one of the most prestigious timepieces in this hallowed collector’s watch box


• Bad Bunny’s vintage Cartier Cloche, a bell-shaped watch that was just as unexpected as the musician’s old-age makeup on the red carpet

Here at Avi & Co., we are proud to be one of Manhattan’s premier destinations for both fine diamond jewelry and luxury watches. We specialize in renowned global watch brands like Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe. Plus, do not miss our selection of Avi & Co. watch lines and our fine diamond jewelry collection that rivals anything you have seen on the Met Gala’s extravagant red carpet.

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