Whether it’s a bracelet consisting of multiple mini G-Shocks, or a one-of-a-kind Jacob and Co. watch choker, Rihanna’s watch game is consistently trailblazing. At the same time, the singer shows an appreciation for the classics, from her sparkling Rolex Datejust to a timeless Cartier Panthère.
Known not only for her chart-topping songs and successful lingerie brand, but also for her stylish red carpet and streetwear looks, it’s far from surprising that Rihanna knows how to style a watch. Her collection consists of both unconventional timepieces and iconic models, all of which the global star styles in a way that perfectly reflects her image.
Casio G-Shock Minis and Baby-Gs
Starting all the way back in 2009, Rihanna sported a colourful selection of Casio watches in the music video for her song “Rude Boy”. The song and video incorporated elements from the artist’s West Indian upbringing, and the video, with its bold chromatic visuals, paid tribute to artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat as well as to the personal style of Grace Jones during the 1980s.
Matching with the video’s vibrant colour palette, Rihanna paired multiple bold G-Shocks and Baby-Gs. The watches included a white Casio Baby-G BG5601SW-7 with a striking pink dial, a yellow Baby-G BG5602-9, a pink Baby-G BG5601-4, a black G-Shock Mini GMN550-1B, and a feminine take on the classic G-shock mini with a white Casio G-Shock Mini GMN691-7B with a pink dial and neon green LCD face. The watches are held together by their straps, forming a bracelet on the artist’s wrist in a completely unconventional interpretation of what it means to “wear” a watch.
Jacob & Co. Northern Lights
Rihanna has clearly kept her love for bold coloured watches since the Rude Boy video. Vibrant colours are a continuing thread throughout the singer’s fashion style. For this year’s halftime Superbowl show, she took the stage in an all-red ensemble. Taking the world by surprise by revealing her baby bump under her scarlet Loewe jumpsuit, Rihanna’s show was nothing short of iconic. She accessorised her bright jumpsuit with diamonds and matching red accessories, including the Jacob & Co. Brilliant Skeleton Northern Lights watch in red.
A large watch for a woman, with a 44mm case size, the Jacob & Co. watch acted as a clear statement piece. It features 251 pavé-set, round-cut diamonds, and the crown is set with 30 round-cut white diamonds. The watch’s bright red mineral crystal dial features leaf hands and only 4 indices, and the striking look is completed by a matching red strap. Only made in a limited run of 101 examples with a retail price of $72,000, this watch is truly a unique piece in Rihanna’s collection.
Chopard Happy Sport
From one diamond-studded watch to another, Rihanna knows how to add bling to her red carpet looks. For the Savage x Fenty lingerie show in 2019, the singer matched her silver sparkling dress with matching sunglasses, hoop earrings and a Chopard Happy Sport watch. The timepiece, in 18 carat white gold, sparkles with over 16 carats of diamonds.
It was a surprising choice at the time, as it was announced months prior that Rihanna was partnering with LVMH, and so it was perhaps expected that the singer would be showcasing a timepiece from the luxury watch maisons in the group at the LVMH sponsored event, such as Bulgari or Zenith. Instead, she opted for the independently owned brand Chopard. The watch paired perfectly with the asymmetrical dress, showcasing the artist’s eye for detail.
Rolex Datejust
Rihanna is “shining bright like a diamond” with this versatile Rolex Datejust. The star has been pictured wearing this dual tone Oyster bracelet Datejust on numerous occasions since the early 2010s, including in her famous 2013 cover shoot for Rolling Stone. The 26mm case size, champagne dial, and classic bracelet makes the watch extremely versatile, and Rihanna has been seen styling it with both casual and red-carpet looks. The understated, classic look of the watch allows Rihanna to shine, all whilst the diamond hour markers add that extra bit of sparkle.
The watch is a 179173 model, which has been discontinued. This specific variation is currently difficult to find on the pre-owned market but has previously sold for over £6000.
Cartier Panthère and Cartier Santos
A small gold watch is always in vogue. Rihanna’s go-tos in this category are two similar Cartier watches, the Panthère de Cartier and the Santos de Cartier. Both yellow gold watches have square cases with curved lugs, crown guards, and rounded corners that give them fluid appearances. The biggest difference between the two are the bracelets, with the Panthère sporting an elegant five-link bracelet, while the Santos’ bracelet gives it an edgier, more masculine look. The Panthère is overall slimmer, slightly more feminine, and more sophisticated than the Santos. The Santos’ edgy look, on the other hand, makes it a perfect every-day watch. Rihanna wore the medium-sized, quartz-powered Panthère in the delicate, yet powerful Savage X Fenty campaign, while she’s often spotted wearing the Santos while out and about in paparazzi photos.
Rihanna’s Panthère has a 22mm case size, and the case and bracelet are both 18k yellow gold. Her Santos, also 18k yellow gold, measures slightly larger and features an automatic movement rather than quartz.
Custom Rolex King Midas
With Rihanna’s reputation for jaw-dropping fashion moments, it’s not surprising that the singer has built an unrivalled collection of custom, limited edition, and vintage treasures. For her pregnancy announcement pictures in 2022, Rihanna styled a bright pink jacket with a vintage Lacroix pendant, layered necklaces, and Chanel chains wrapped around her waist. Matching the yellow gold chains and necklaces, Rihanna opted for a vintage Rolex, customised by jeweller Patcharavipa Bodiratnangkura.
The unique timepiece is from Patcharavipa’s Offset vintage watch series but is originally from the 1970s. The King Midas Rolex was sourced by Kenzi Harleman, Patcharavipa’s partner, and was customised by Patcharavipa. The 18k yellow gold bracelet features a checkered texture, showcasing Patcharavipa’s signature Thai etching used on many of her jewellery pieces. For Rihanna, who is reportedly a fan of the vintage King Midas models, this one-of-a-kind piece was clearly a must-have.
The Midas series first debuted in 1962, and its angular case was inspired by the Greek Pantheon. The model was created by Gerald Genta, the legendary Swiss watch designer who later went on to create the iconic Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Patek Philippe Nautilus
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is a must-have for any celebrity watch collection, so it’s not surprising to see Rihanna accessorise her all-Gucci ensemble with a rose-gold Nautilus. Rihanna’s chosen Nautilus is the 5908/1R, a rose gold flyback chronograph with a 40.5mm case size. Whilst a bigger case size, the slender 12.5mm thickness keeps the timepiece looking elegant on the singer’s wrist. The black dial adds an edge to the otherwise feminine rose gold, all while sticking with the Nautilus’ iconic octagonal case. The sub-dial at 6 includes an inner 12 hour elapsed hours register and an outer 60-minute elapsed minutes scale.
Jacob & Co. Watch Choker
Known for some of the most innovative and unusual watches in the horological world, Jacob & Co. don’t limit timekeeping to the wrist. Rihanna approached the brand ahead of the 2023 Louis Vuitton fashion show with the concept of a watch choker. Jacob & Co. presented multiple statement-making options, but Rihanna fell for the Brilliant Flying Tourbillon in white gold. With Jacob & Co.’s reputation for their array of gem-setting techniques, the watch is set with a total of 338 white, baguette-cut diamonds using their signature invisible-setting technique. In total, these 338 diamonds weigh 30 carats, and there are an additional 338 brilliant-cut diamonds on the flying tourbillon movement itself.
Jacob & Co. tailored a bespoke black calfskin strap for Rihanna to wear the piece around her neck. The Brilliant Flying Tourbillon Watch Choker became one of the world’s most viewed and discussed timepieces, truly showcasing Rihanna’s creative approach to fashion.
Jacob & Co. Ashoka
Besides her statement watch choker, Rihanna has been seen sporting other bejewelled Jacob & Co. timepieces. At the Paramount Pictures presentation earlier this year, the artist wore a diamond and sapphire Jacob & Co. watch alongside a full denim look. The timepiece, which incorporates rare Ashoka-cut sapphires, has an estimated value of $480,000. The Ashoka-cut is known for its elongated shape and the 62 facets which enhances the deep blue colour of the sapphire.
Rihanna’s Ashoka watch in 18k white gold is a true horological and jewellery masterpiece, featuring 38 Ashoka-cut blue sapphires, 24 Ashoka-cut diamonds, and 76 brilliant-cut diamonds, creating a mesmerizing sparkle.
It’s not the only Jacob & Co. Boutique watch to have grazed the singer’s wrist. She has previously worn another fabulous Jacob & Co. timepiece, featuring 13.67 carats of white diamonds and 13.05 carats of rubies.
Rolex Day-Date
Alongside her two-tone Datejust, Rihanna’s watch collection also features some other Rolex icons. She is often spotted wearing either a 41mm Everose Day-Date II or a slightly smaller 36mm President Day-Date in yellow gold. The Everose Day Date II features a “pink gold” case, bracelet, and bezel, giving it a feminine touch despite its larger case size. Instead of the Day-Date’s usual President bracelet, Rihanna’s model features an Oyster bracelet, giving it an edgier, less delicate look. The 41mm version of the Day-Date II has been discontinued, but other iterations still exist in 36mm and 40mm.
Rihanna has also been spotted wearing a slightly smaller Day Date, namely the Day Date 36mm in 18k yellow gold with a champagne dial. While both of these watches are classified as “men’s watches”, Rihanna proves that these timepieces can look equally classy on a woman’s wrist. The yellow gold 36mm Day-Date is still available to purchase today and retail prices for this particular model start at around $33,950.
Messika Midnight Sun High Jewellery
For a recent appearance at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Rihanna was bedecked in pieces from Parisian label Messika’s Midnight Sun high jewellery collection, including Disco Pulsation body jewellery, a necklace, ear clip, and the Night Owl ring.
Jacob & Co. Watch Anklet
Continuing to defy expectations and push boundaries, at the same Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Diamonds singer donned a custom white gold watch anklet by New York jeweller Jacob & Co., adorned with over 70 carats of round and emerald cut diamonds.
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