The glitz and the glam of New York City’s annual Met Gala seems to capture me in its spell every year without fail. Keen to see how each attendee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has brought the theme of choice to life, the morning after the Met is a big one for many eager-eyed spectators, myself included.
Those with an interest in the annual gala might already know that each year a new theme is chosen, as is a set dress code. As you might expect from fashion’s biggest night out, stars dress to impress accordingly, and the results tend to range from lavish to outright unexpected.
This year’s dress code was a watch lover’s dream as ‘The Garden of Time’ not only demanded opulent outfits, but carefully chosen timepieces to match. Here’s what we spotted on the red carpet…
OMEGA De Ville Prestige, Aqua Terra 150m, and rare stainless steel ‘Staybrite’ 1930’s pocket watch
Worn by Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan on the Met Gala red carpet and the OMEGA De Ville Prestige. Credit: OMEGA / Getty Images.
The award for ‘Most Committed to the Theme’ might just have to go to Irish actor Barry Keoghan. Known for his quirkiness on and off-screen, Barry stepped through the ‘Garden of Time’ with pop singer Sabrina Carpenter on his arm and not one, but two OMEGA watches on his wrists. As well as a rare stainless steel ‘Staybrite’ pocket watch from the 1930’s tucked into his front pocket.
Possibly most recognisable for his role in smash-hit Saltburn, Keoghan has also been involved with Oscar-winning Banshees of Inisherin and is set to become the latest to take on the infamous role of the Joker in The Batman. As perhaps the most decorated celebrity of the night, Keoghan channelled the Mad Hatter and certainly showed his loyalty to the Swiss luxury watchmaker.
OMEGA De Ville Tresor
Worn by Jonathan Bailey
Jonathan Bailey on the Met Gala red carpet and the OMEGA De Ville Tresor. Credit: OMEGA / Getty Images.
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Dressed in custom LOEWE, Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey has earnt himself a place on GQ’s list of Best-Dressed Men. Completing the look was the OMEGA De Ville Tresor, elegant and understated on his left wrist. Housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with diamond-paved bezel, the De Ville Tresor is equipped with OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8910.
OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra
Worn by Eddie Redmayne
Eddie Redmayne on the Met Gala red carpet and the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra. Credit: OMEGA / Getty Images.
Appearing on the red carpet in an outfit to match his wife’s, Eddie Redmayne donned a dress designed by London-based designer Steve O Smith and completed the look with the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra.
OMEGA Speedmaster 38
Worn by Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon on the Met Gala red carpet and the OMEGA Speedmaster 38. Credit: OMEGA / Getty Images.
American talk-show host and big-time watch enthusiast Jimmy Fallon took to the red carpet with a timepiece bound to get OMEGA fans talking. The comedian was gifted an 18k Moonshine gold Speedmaster timepiece finished with 52 diamonds. The special edition of the Speedmaster 38 is the only one of its kind to exist in the U.S.
Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 (Ref. 295363-5002)
Worn by Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth on the Met Gala red carpet and the Chopard Alpine Eagle. Credit: Chopard / Getty Images.
As a co-chair of the 2024 Met Gala, Marvel royalty Chris Hemsworth attended the event for the first time with his wife Elsa Pataky. The pair dazzled in matching Tom Ford ensembles and Hemsworth was seen sporting the Chopard Alpina Eagle. Right on theme for ‘Reawakening Fashion’, the Alpine Eagle 41 is a contemporary evolution of the St Moritz which was originally created in 1980 by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, now co-president of the Chopard house.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Date
Worn by Alexandra Daddario
Alexandra Daddario on the Met Gala red carpet and the TAG Heuer Aquaracer. Credit: TAG Heuer / Getty Images.
Ambassador for TAG Heuer, Alexandra Daddario, was spotted wearing a two-tone Aquaracer. Having joined the TAG family last year, she has previously starred in the campaign for the 60th anniversary of the Carrera Date but this time wore a more petite model, the 27mm Aquaracer Date.
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 60th Anniversary Edition
Worn by Nicholas Galitzine
Nicholas Galitzine on the Met Gala red carpet and the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 60th Anniversary Edition. Credit: TAG Heuer / Getty Images.
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Picking up where fellow starlet Alexandra left off, actor Nicholas Galitzine was seen wearing the aforementioned TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph 60th Anniversary Edition, featuring a silver sunray brushed dial with contrasting black sub dials, and presented on an alligator strap.
Jacob & Co. Ruby Billionaire III
Worn by Usher
Usher on the Met Gala red carpet and the Jacob & Co. Ruby Billionaire III. Credit: Jacob & Co. / Getty Images.
R&B star Usher took to the Met’s red carpet wearing Jacob & Co.’s latest dazzling creation. Born into the Billionaire line, the new Ruby iteration was unveiled earlier this year at Geneva’s Watches and Wonders. Encased with a whopping 714 handset rubies, the 52.2 x 43.5mm case of the Billionaire houses a complex skeleton dial and the ultra-thin JCAM39 in-house movement. Completely knocking it out of the park in terms of pricing, the Ruby Billionare III retails for around $5 million.
Jacob & Co. Royal Tourbillon
Worn by Taika Waititi
Taika Waititi on the Met Gala red carpet and the Jacob & Co. Royal Tourbillon Baguette. Credit: Jacob & Co. / Getty Images.
Famed director Taika Waititi opted for Jacob & Co. too, this time with the Royal Tourbillon Baguette. Attending alongside his popstar wife, Rita Ora, Taika opted for double leather with the white gold, diamond paved, tourbillon on his left wrist.
IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 (Ref. IW503702)
Worn by Colman Domingo
Colman Domingo on the Met Gala red carpet and the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44. Credit: IWC / Getty Images.
American actor and playwright Colman Domingo wore the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44, presented in an 18k Armor Gold case with Obsidian black dial.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 (Ref. IW358402)
Worn by Kieran Culkin
Kieran Culkin on the Met Gala red carpet and the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40. Credit: IWC / Getty Images.
Succession actor and brother of Home Alone’s Macauley Culkin was spotted wearing the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 with 18k white gold case and Horizon Blue dial.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 (Ref. IW501705)
Worn by Morgan Spector
Morgan Spector on the Met Gala red carpet and the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40. Credit: IWC / Getty Images.
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Another spotting of the IWC Portugieser Automatic 40 came by way of American actor Morgan Spector, who instead donned the Dune dial edition with stainless steel case.
Piaget Polo79!
Worn by Brooklyn Beckham
Piaget Polo79! Credit: Piaget / Getty Images.
The eldest child of David and Victoria Beckham was spotted wearing the newly released Piaget Polo79! With Piaget celebrating their 150th anniversary this year, the brand has been keen to evolve with the times and as such the Maison’s first sports elegant watch has had a makeover for 2024. Originally revealed back in 1979, the Polo came to define the elegance of the 1980’s and is now reborn, with Brooklyn Beckham taking it for its first ever spin on a red carpet.
Piaget Andy Warhol Watch
Worn by Matt Damon
Piaget Andy Warhol. Credit: Piaget / Getty Images.
Within their 150-year history, it’s natural that Piaget watches have adorned some pretty famous wrists. One of those household names is none other than Andy Warhol, who began buying Piaget in 1973 and was said to have owned ten of their timepieces within his own personal collection. The iconic tiered case of the Piaget Andy Warhol found its way onto the wrist of actor Matt Damon last night as he walked the MET’s red carpet in a timelessly classic black tux.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921
Worn by Michael Shannon
Michael Shannon on the Met Gala red carpet and the Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921. Credit: Vacheron Constantin / Getty Images.
As we know, the dress code for the Met Gala this year was ‘Garden of Time’, the overarching theme though was ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’ and Michael Shannon well and truly understood the assignment. With the Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 proudly worn on his wrist, Michael Shannon was among the celebrities to look to the past for outfit inspiration.
Presented in an atypical diagonal case that was produced in the ‘roaring twenties’ for a primarily American market, Shannon’s timepiece of choice has been an icon amongst watch enthusiasts and collectors throughout its 100-years of history.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar “John Mayer” Limited Edition
Worn by Ed Sheeran
John Mayer's Audemar Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Credit: Audemars Piguet.
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Self-confessed mega watch collector Ed Sheeran was spotted wearing the new Audemar Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. The timepiece was created in collaboration with singer and fellow watch collector John Mayer and is the last limited edition timepiece by Audemars Piguet to be equipped with the historic Calibre 5134.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Sand Gold
Worn by Serena Williams
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Sand Gold. Credit: Audemars Piguet.
Tennis royalty Serena Williams has been a brand ambassador for Audemars Piguet for ten years now so it’s only fitting that she entered the ‘Garden of Time’ wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Sand Gold. Dressed head to toe in radiant gold by Balenciaga, the Audemars Piguet was a stunning addition to the outfit of the former tennis player.
Worth approximately $270,000, this Sand Gold rendition is one of the pricier finds on this year’s Met Gala carpet and comes from an exclusive Audemars Piguet collection.
Tiffany Cocktail Watch
Worn by Jeff Goldblum
Tiffany & Co. Cocktail 2-Hand Watch. Credit: Tiffany & Co.
Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum and his many many accessories took the red carpet by storm last night, as he appeared with two pairs of glasses, white gloves, a dapper black overcoat, as well as Tiffany & Co. brooches and their Cocktail 2-Hand Watch. Presented on a black satin strap, with dazzling bezel set with round diamonds and white guilloche dial, Jeff’s look was the perfect fit for a stroll through the ‘Garden of Time’.