Sotheby’s/AP
The Rolex that Tom Brady wore last Sunday has a lot in common with him. Both rarities transcend the ordinary with incredible precision and gorgeous style. Both of them also have many fans.
The retired NFL legend wore a Paul Newman Daytona to be honored by the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The star quarterback, who has played for the Patriots for two decades, took the podium with longtime team owner Robert Kraft in an emotional halftime ceremony. Brady thanked the 65,000 screaming Patriots fans for “another day in this stadium that I will never forget.”He also completed his famous sideline rush Wearing a Rolex on my wrist.
This particular Daytona, ref. 6241 has an eye-catching dial and is nicknamed the “John Player Special” after the British brand John Player & Sons. The Nottingham-based tobacco and cigarette manufacturer, often referred to simply as Player’s, sponsored the Lotus Formula One team in the 1970s and designed the iconic livery for the cars. The dial features the same black and gold tones as the car, along with three chronograph subdials with square lollipop hash marks. Brady’s watch case appears to be attached to a matching Golden Jubilee bracelet.
Brady with his daughter and son (left) and Patriots owner Robert Kraft (right).
Mark Stockwell/AP
The John Player Special is certainly fitting for the seven-time Super Bowl champion. This model is extremely rare and usually fetch a good price on the secondary market. In 2020, a similar work was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for a record $1.5 million.
“The 18-carat gold 6264 is the rarest gold configuration of the legendary Paul Newman,” Sam Hines, Sotheby’s global head of watches, said at the time. “Only a handful are known, so it’s difficult to overstate the fascination it has generated among vintage watch collectors.”
The “John Player Special” sold for $1.5 million at Sotheby’s.
Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Of course, this isn’t the only Rolex in Brady’s collection. This year, the GOAT has appeared in the Rolex “Jigsaw” Day-Date and the platinum Rolex Day-Date 40. He has been an IWC ambassador since 2019, but perhaps he should consider officially representing the Royal Family.