The tech centibillionaire has been amassing a collection of rare timepieces by the likes of F.P. Journe and De Bethune, ever since a Richard Mille exemplar caught his eye at Anant Ambani’s wedding
The luxury watch world has welcomed a new heavyweight collector: Mark Zuckerberg.
Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest individuals for years – earning the title of youngest self-made billionaire in 2008 – the Facebook founder stayed out of the luxury timepiece game.
Until last summer. Zuckerberg’s new-found fascination with watches reportedly began after attending the opulent wedding of Anant Ambani, where the groom showed off a US$1.5 million Richard Mille RM 30-01, capturing the attention of Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan.
These days, with Meta (Facebook’s parent company) expanding into new realms of technology and innovation, Zuckerberg’s wealth is climbing to staggering heights. Forbes estimates his net worth at US$213 billion, positioning him among the world’s richest people.
For someone as wealthy as Zuckerberg, diving headfirst into the deep end of the watch world is a natural move. His financial clout opens doors to the industry’s most exclusive ateliers and unlocks access to some of the rarest and most desirable watches on the planet. From contemporary marvels to grail-level classics, Zuckerberg’s collection is already shaping up to be the stuff of legend.
Patek Philippe Cubitus
Zuckerberg recently shared a video on Instagram and eagle-eyed viewers were quick to shift their focus to his watch – the striking new Patek Philippe Cubitus. The Cubitus collection features a trio of square-shaped timepieces and, unsurprisingly, Zuckerberg chose the most sophisticated model of the bunch.
His version introduces a new complication for Patek Philippe, the watch featuring a grand date at 12 o’clock, along with day, date and moon phase indicators. Encased in platinum, it has a refined sunburst blue dial with horizontal embossing and white gold baton-style hour markers. The cost of this model is a modest – by a centibillionaire’s standards – US$88,380 – but unless you’re someone as famous (or with pockets as deep) as Zuckerberg, don’t expect to get your hands on one any time soon.
Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5236P
Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan were spotted admiring Anant Ambani’s Richard Mille watch at the Reliance Industries scion’s 2024 nuptials. Photo: @zuck/Instagram
The tech entrepreneur was spotted on Labour Day last year sporting another stand-out piece: the Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5236P. Of course, he wouldn’t wear just any version of this highly sought-after model. He went for the new rose-gilt dial version, unveiled at the Watches and Wonders show in Geneva. This model features a light salmon dial with a 41.3mm platinum case and a host of impressive details, such as a pocket watch-inspired in-line display with a moon phase, plus automatic micro-rotor movement.
F.P. Journe Centigraphe Sport Aluminium 073-CTS
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At a recent Meta event, Zuckerberg turned heads when he wore a wrist piece by the highly coveted independent Swiss watchmaker F.P. Journe. The brand isn’t as well known as, say, Rolex or Patek Philippe, but F.P. Journe has a certain status among watch obsessives. Rare, elusive and pricey, only about 1,000 are produced every year.
By sporting one, Zuckerberg was making a subtle but serious point, wearing a hard-to-find and technically impressive F.P. Journe Centigraphe Sport. Crafted from aerospace-grade aluminium, this ultralight sports watch is a perfect match for Zuckerberg’s laid-back style: think jeans and T-shirt rather than tuxedos or tailored suits.
F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain Havana
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He also made sure to pick up a second F.P. Journe – and why not, when you’re the world’s newest ultra-wealthy watch collector? The F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain Havana, a beauty, is more elegant than, if not quite as technically advanced as, the Centigraphe Sport. Its warm brown guilloche dial evokes a vintage valise and the scent of Havana cigars, which, fittingly, inspired its name. The model in question features an in-house, hand-wound movement, Zuckerberg selecting the version with a platinum case, which he wore during a podcast appearance.
De Bethune DB25 Starry Varius
Zuckerberg made another discerning choice with a timepiece from De Bethune, a boutique Swiss watchmaker known for its unconventional designs that challenge traditional norms. Case in point? The celestial-themed DB25 Starry Varius. Encased in 42mm of rose gold, this star-spangled watch boasts a customisable dial that maps the night sky as seen from a location of the wearer’s choosing.
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Zuckerberg’s model is estimated to cost upwards of US$90,000, but he could have bought an even more extravagant version from the collection. The elaborate DB25 Starry Varius Aérolite features a dial made from a meteorite and is adorned by a Milky Way pattern rendered in 24k gold leaf; its price tag nears US$260,000. Perhaps the billionaire has his sights set on that one for the future … we’ll be watching this space.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Kingsman Knife
Finally, Zuckerberg has chosen the ultra-thin Jaeger-LeCoultre Kingsman Knife, a timepiece created specifically for 2021 film The King’s Man. Inspired by the 1907 LeCoultre “Couteau” (“Knife” in French) pocket watch, with its sharp edge, it features a distinctive crown set within a triangular bow at the 12 o’clock position. Only 4mm thick, this elegant watch hugs the wrist like a second skin, with its rose gold case, ivory opaline dial and blued-steel feuille hands exuding a certain gentlemanly charm. With only 100 pieces ever made, it’s as scarce as it is expensive, having sold originally for US$29,800.
