What Watches Are the World’s CEOs Wearing?

Some of the world’s most powerful men and women have amassed incredible watch collections with the wealth they have gained from running globally renowned companies. On this list, you’ll find some of the richest people in the entire world… and we will uncover the watches that they are prioritizing to add to their collections. If you have been wondering what watches people who can afford virtually anything on Earth will purchase, you’re about to find out!

There’s no doubt that Warren Buffett could afford a massive watch collection – Forbes estimates his net worth at $133 billion, making him the sixth-richest person in the world. Buffett is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the most successful investors of all time, leading to his affectionate nickname “The Oracle of Omaha.” Yes, that’s right: Buffett’s primary residence is in Omaha, Nebraska in the same house that he bought in 1958 and raised his children in with his wife, Susan. While the house isn’t exactly modest (its estimated worth today is $1.44 million, according to Architectural Digest), it speaks to Buffett’s commitment to modest living, despite his incredible earnings. When Buffett finds something he loves, he sticks with it.

The same can be said about his taste in watches. The renowned investor and CEO has been faithful to the Rolex Day-Date for most of his life. Often called the “President’s Watch” due to its popularity with U.S. Presidents like Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy, the Day-Date has long been associated with men in power. With that in mind, it certainly seems like a fitting choice for The Oracle of Omaha himself.

Rolex watches in general carry a strong association with power, success, and financial prowess. From the entry-level Oyster Perpetual watches that many Wall Street brokers purchase to celebrate worthy career milestones to more expensive and intricate models like the hallowed Rolex Daytona, these Swiss timepieces are staples for any savvy watch collector. It’s no surprise that Warren Buffett isn’t the only CEO on this list who favors Rolex watches.

Larry Ellison is the co-founder, chairman, and chief technology officer (CTO) of the software giant Oracle. A massive company that creates and supports a plethora of data-centric hardware and software, it’s hard to sum up all that Oracle does in a concise manner. As for Ellison, however, he has racked up incredible wealth due to his involvement in the company and his stock ownership (including early investment in electric car company Tesla). Ellison is actually even richer than Warren Buffett, ranking at #5 on Forbes’ list of the richest people in the world. His net worth is estimated at $141 billion and has been steadily growing year after year.

While Buffett might be satisfied with one elite watch, Ellison has a much larger and more diverse collection of timepieces and has invested a non-trivial amount of his incredible wealth in luxury watches. Some of his most iconic timepieces include a number of Rolexes, Richard Mille watches, and Panerai watches. Some of Ellison’s favorite RM watches include the RM 005 and the RM 029, both of which are high-end Swiss timepieces with six-figure price tags. Ellison has also frequently been photographed wearing the Panerai Luminor Marina.

In addition to purchasing some of the world’s most coveted watches, Ellison has spent his earnings on buying a private plane and a private island. He is a known water sports enthusiast and is the co-founder of SailGP, a high-speed yacht racing series. The title sponsor of SailGP is Rolex, cementing the connection between Ellison and the prestigious Swiss watch brand.

American rapper and businessman Jay-Z is perhaps best known for his own incredible music as well as his pivotal roles in discovering some of the new millennium’s most influential musicians and artists, including Rihanna, Kanye West, J. Cole, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Ne-Yo, and others. He served as the CEO of the label Def Jam from 2004 to 2007, at which point he broke away from the company to start his own label, Roc Nation.

Through both his business dealings and his successful musical career (Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé Knowles, are tied for most Grammy nominations, with 88 each), Jay-Z has accumulated incredible wealth. Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.5 billion, which increased significantly after he sold a large stake in his champagne empire Ace of Spades to fashion and lifestyle giant LVMH. So what does Jay-Z spend his money on? Luxury watches, for one!

Jay-Z has a robust watch collection, with incredible timepieces from globally recognized brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. One of his most expensive timepieces is said to be a $2.2 million Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime watch, which he wore to a friend’s 50th birthday celebration. He also wore a $1 million openworked Patek Philippe to the 2025 Grammy Awards, per reporting from GQ. Jay-Z seems to love unusual, complex timepieces that showcase his commitment to the world of haute horlogerie. He has been spotted in a few different Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept watches, like the one below:

You may know Canadian multi-millionaire Kevin O’Leary (also known as Mr. Wonderful) as a panelist on the TV shows Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den. The successful businessman and investor made his fortune through his company SoftKey Software Products, which he started in his basement and which is now called The Learning Company. O’Leary’s quirky TV personality has made him a household name for a multitude of reasons, one of which is his eye-catching watch collection.

While on Shark Tank, O’Leary insists on pairing his watches with bold red straps. Why? Nobody knows for sure… maybe he just likes the color red, or maybe he wants to make sure nobody misses the luxurious timepieces he is sporting on his wrist. O’Leary has a diverse watch collection featuring pieces from well-known brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, OMEGA, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, and others. One of his favorite watches, which has appeared on his wrist in multiple Shark Tank episodes, seems to be the classic Rolex Daytona (with a red rubber strap, of course).

The Rolex Daytona line was introduced in 1963 and quickly became associated with high-performance motorsports. It encapsulates the brand’s commitment to performance and precision, and was embraced by early brand ambassador and racecar driver Paul Newman.

(Fun Fact: Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona set the record for the most expensive wrist watch ever sold at auction back in 2017.) Kevin O’Leary embracing this particular model certainly aligns with his passion for staying ahead of the game with his savvy investments. It really is a wonderful watch!

The co-founder of Tinder and founder and CEO of dating app Bumble, Whitney Wolfe Herd has an estimated net worth of about $500 million. In 2021, Wolfe Herd became the world’s youngest female billionaire after she took Bumble public. Although she had stepped back from the company in the years following, she was recently reinstated as the CEO with big plans for boosting Bumble’s growth and development.

In addition to her impressive business prowess and leadership roles, Whitney Wolfe Herd is also recognized as a style icon, and many young women look up to her for professional dress inspiration as well as motivation to excel in their roles. When Wolfe Herd wears a watch with her chic outfits, she almost always opts for a rose gold Rolex Day-Date. The Day-Date model has long been synonymous with power and prestige, and it is an excellent timepiece for dressing up or down. Wolfe Herd’s watch showcases a slimmer, 36 mm silhouette that is perfect for a woman’s wrist without being too dainty or miniature.

There is no shortage of celebrities, CEOs, and millionaires who love Rolex watches. The professional lines – like the Daytona, Submariner, and GMT-Master II – are always popular, but for business settings, dress watches like the Day-Date or Datejust tend to take the cake. Explore our full inventory of luxurious Rolexes at Avi & Co. today!

At Avi & Co., we specialize in timepieces from the world’s most elite brands, including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Audemars Piguet. And now, with three upscale boutiques located in Manhattan, Miami, and Aspen, there is an Avi & Co. store near you. Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team can help you find the watch you’re looking for as you enjoy fastening a slice of luxury around your very own wrist.

So what are you waiting for? Make an appointment today and discover the watch you’ve been dreaming about.