The Watches of Mike Tyson and Jake Paul
The fight between the infamous social media influencer, Jake Paul and former legendary boxer, Mike Tyson occurred last weekend with Paul winning over the 58-year-old boxing legend. Despite this fight having taken place already, it is extremely difficult to believe this happened; in this life, people have watched Jake Paul fight Mike Tyson.
(Image from Variety ©, 2024)
Nevertheless, this isn’t a review of their boxing fight, it is an insight into the pair’s watches. Both Paul and Tyson, have been seen with very few watches, so they don’t necessarily have a collection. Yet there are some really special pieces that the pair have rocked on their wrists.
Mike Tyson's Watch Collection
Mike Tyson & Pavé Diamond Piaget
Starting with Mike Tyson and entering his ring of watches is a pavé diamond Piaget. This is a very unique and stunning piece shining bright in diamonds. This Piaget model involves an extremely interesting story that encapsulates Mike Tyson at the height of his career and almost sums up his persona in a nutshell.
Tyson was a very controversial figure, with some of the controversy spreading into the horological world. Although this story of Tyson and this Piaget model has not been confirmed, sources have come out to speak about this incident which has been documented widely.
Sources claim that the former boxing icon walked into a Piaget boutique and spotted the beautiful diamond Piaget timepiece. After trying on the model and confirming to the Piaget salesman that he wanted the watch, Tyson insisted that Showtime, the broadcasting network, would be paying for the watch. Then, he walked out of the Piaget boutique with the watch.
Showtime heard about this news and immediately brought in their lawyers and agents, demanding Tyson to give the watch back to the boutique. In classic Mike Tyson fashion, he caused more chaos by threatening to pull out of an upcoming fight that Showtime were broadcasting! Due to the fight being too valuable for Showtime to lose, the channel paid for this Piaget watch.
This watch’s value is estimated to be over $100,000! Showtime must have paid a huge amount of money for this model. This truly demonstrates Tyson’s powerful demeanour and how many feared him.
Mike Tyson & Rolex Day-Date 36, ref. 18038
Secondly, is the beautiful Rolex Day-Date 36, reference 18038 in yellow-gold with the champagne dial. This precious metal and dial colour combination is one of Rolex’s biggest winners. This model was first launched in 1977, with production of this Day-Date coming to an end in 1988. This vintage piece is what many automatically think when a yellow-gold Day-Date is mentioned, it is a timeless and stunning piece.
This is a Day-Date 36 model, meaning the case size is 36mm which is slightly unconventional for someone with larger wrists than the average. This wasn’t the only watch Tyson was seen wearing with a small case size…
Mike Tyson & Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34
This was also the case for Tyson’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34. This case size of 34mm is smaller than his Day-Date 36 model, but that doesn’t take away the elegant aesthetic of this Oyster Perpetual.
This is a stainless steel model, featuring a stunning silver dial. Tyson’s boxing combinations are synonymous to the Rolex model’s metal and dial colour combinations. This Oyster Perpetual is a very simple piece, yet it displays sophistication and elegance.
Mike Tyson & Rolex Daytona, ref.116509-0064
Tyson’s third Rolex in his, somewhat collection is a beautiful Daytona, reference 116509-0064. This Daytona model consists of some very special features. Firstly, this Daytona is crafted in 18ct white-gold, with Rolex’s beautiful mother-of-pearl dial, including diamond hour markers.
Rolex’s mother-of-pearl dial is one of the brand’s greatest dials and the incorporation of diamond hour markers is a classy touch. The mother-of-pearl dial is a feature of many Daytona models that were released at this year’s Watches and Wonders event. This piece is a statement of pure class!
Mike Tyson & Cartier Pasha Chronograph
Another classic and timeless piece features on Tyson’s wrist. Casted in yellow-gold and has a case size of 38mm which was considered as fairly average at the time. This is a slightly unconventional chronograph model- the bezel showing a different tachymetric scale and ovular-shaped sub-dials instead of circular sub-dials. This is a very underrated piece, with a very distinctive look that makes the Pasha Chronograph quite bold.
This Pasha Chronograph has an element of sentiment surrounding the model with a touching and heart-warming story.
(Image from Bleacher Report ©, 2024)
It is rumoured that Tyson gifted this piece to his manager and promoter Don King, in which he can be seen wearing the watch on his wrist (pictured below).
Demonstrating Tyson's appreciation to King, whilst ultimately showing a symbol of their relationship.
Mike Tyson’s watch collection reflects the vintage era of the horological world, featuring timeless classics like Day-Date 13083 and Pasha Chronograph. Whereas, Jake Paul’s focuses on making a bold statement just from what he wears on his wrist, which aligns with his presence and behaviour online.
Jake Paul's Watch Collection
Paul’s watch collection is quite impressive, with a a variety of luxury brands worn such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet and even Richard Mille.
Jake Paul & Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41, ref.124300
Opening Jake Paul’s watch collection is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41, reference 124300 which features a beautiful turquoise dial. This model is known as the Oyster Perpetual ‘Tiffany’ because the dial colour resembles the brand colour of Tiffany&Co.
This ‘OP’ model was discontinued in 2022 which was retailing for £6,000 to £7,000, now valued around £20,000 solely down to the dial colour of the model- it wasn’t even an official collaboration between the two brands.
Jake Paul & AP Custom Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320ST + Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 26740ST
In this image, Paul can be seen wearing two different Audemars Piguet models- the first being a customised Royal Oak Chronograph 26320ST and the second being the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph ‘Vampire’ reference 26740ST.
The Royal Oak Chronograph is a very in-demand watch on the grey market, due to the model’s discontinuation. So many watch enthusiasts will be furious to know that Jake Paul has customised this timepiece with aftermarket diamonds. Despite the traditionalist’s opinions, this bespoke piece is extremely cool and definitely links with Jake Paul’s online personality.
The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph ‘Vampire’ is being worn on his right wrist with the custom Royal Oak Chronograph on his left wrist, but he has been seen with the ’Vampire' in another photo (pictured above).
Jake Paul & RM72-01
Jake Paul has been spotted with this stunning Richard Mille RM72-01 in black ceramic with a rose gold case. The special part about the RM72-01, is that this is the brand’s first flyback chronograph “in-house” movement- the in-house calibre CRMC1.
An “in-house” movement means the movement has been produced by the watch brand themselves, instead of the movement being crafted elsewhere. Therefore, this is a very cool and innovative watch part of the Richard Mille catalogue, a strong watch in Jake Paul’s collection.
Jake Paul & RM11-03
The final watch in Jake Paul’s collection is this beautiful RM11-03 “Ivory,” in white ceramic and titanium. This model showcases a skeletonised chronograph dial, with the incorporation of a flyback chronograph movement. Limited to just 150 pieces, this is a very impressive watch to sustain in one’s collection.
Clearly, he has a strong love and connection with this Richard Mille model, as he posts himself wearing the watch across multiple images on social media.
Whose watch collection wins?
In conclusion, both collections display a different style. Mike Tyson displays a classical and vintage collection that hold sentimental value like the Cartier Pasha, which could be inferred due to his roots. Whereas, Jake Paul focuses on making a bold statement with flashy pieces, almost considered as ‘hype pieces’ so that people know what he is wearing on his wrist.
Despite Jake Paul having some really sought after models in his collection, he should try and expand his searches, as the horological world has so much more to offer. Mike Tyson’s watch collection is versatile and features timeless pieces with some exciting stories behind them, which matters more than aspects like value or investment.
