Tom Brady once again captured attention, this time at Roland-Garros, with a remarkable addition to his ever-expanding watch collection. The internet buzzed with goat emojis as Twitter users couldn't contain their excitement when the GOAT himself attended the French Open to witness Novak Djokovic clinch his historic 23rd major title in Paris.
Brady, in turn, managed to captivate the crowd at Roland-Garros with a rare Rolex Day-Date adorning his wrist. Even from a distance, TB12's new timepiece, featuring a platinum case and an olive green dial, exuded a striking allure. However, it was when online horologists got a closer look that they truly went into a frenzy. The Eastern Arabic numerals on the watch's face identified it as the Ref. 228206, a special edition released exclusively to select dealers in the Middle East in 2021.
Rolex began producing Day-Dates with Arabic dials by special request only in the 1950s, catering to the immensely wealthy Gulf elite, including kings, sultans, and oil barons. Production of these Arabic watches ceased in the 1970s, only to be revived in 2016 at Baselworld due to growing demand among watch enthusiasts. Five years later, the viridescent version of the dial found its place on Brady's wrist. The regional exclusivity and steep price tag (similar Arabic Day-Dates often fetch upwards of $100,000) testify to the quarterback's impeccable taste in timepieces.
This rare Rolex constitutes just a fraction of Brady's increasingly coveted collection. Initially signing as a brand ambassador for TAG Heuer in 2015, he earned his own signature model before later joining forces with IWC Schaffhausen, where he has sported an array of Big Pilots and Top Gun Chronographs.
During his retirement, Brady has diversified his luxury watch selection, as is common among athletes. It comes as no surprise that he possesses two Audemars Piguet watches, a Royal Oak Rubber Clad and a Royal Oak Gold. And let's not forget the Richard Mille RM11-03 he proudly showcased alongside Travis Scott in Los Angeles last month.
Considering its rarity and exquisite details, Brady's Rolex Day-Date might ultimately emerge as the crown jewel of his watch collection. While the rest of the world speculates about his football career, wondering if it has truly reached its conclusion, it feels like Brady's journey as an A-list watch collector is just beginning.
