Novak Djokovic Wore a $52,700 Watch Made Out of His Own Rackets
StyleThe Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is the tennis star’s first collaborative effort with Hublot.By Oren HartovDecember 7, 2024Photographs: Getty Images, Hublot; Collage: Gabe ConteSave this storySaveSave this storySaveLike his fellow racket swingers Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic is a north star in the watch world. In fact, just this week he was spotted in the paddock at F1 Grand Prix of Qatar wearing his very own collaboration piece with Hublot.After switching allegiances from Audemars Piguet to Seiko in 2014, he joined the Hublot family in 2021—a fitting home considering the marque’s embrace of cutting-edge, lightweight materials and tech-forward designs. And while he’s been spotted in pieces such as the Fusion Black Magic during more formal occasions, it’s the Big Bang series—with its oversized cases, bright colors, and rubber straps—that seems most natural on the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s wrist.Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Getty ImagesCourtesy of HublotThe most recent Big Bang, however, is the Joker’s most natural wrist partner. The Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic bears not only Djokovic’s name but also numerous tech breakthroughs and Easter eggs: The watch is incredibly lightweight thanks to its unique composition of epoxy resin and quartz powder. It weighs in at just 49.5 grams, which means Djokovic might be able to take it out on the court like Nadal often did with his Richard Mille pieces. But that’s not all that makes the case material special—it’s also infused with recycled Head rackets and Lacoste polos from Djokovic’s 2023 season.Another fun Djokovic-related fact: This Big Bang Unico is lighter than a tennis ball. In addition to its airy case, Hublot also switched out sapphire crystal for Gorilla Glass and used aluminum rather than brass in the movement plates to shave grams. The four available straps—white rubber, light-blue Velcro, blue elastic, and “Lacoste” tennis wristband—also help to keep the weight down.Beyond the physical lightness of the watch, other nods to tennis are present in its design. The upper chronograph pusher, five-minute indices, and seconds hand are share their green-yellow hue with a tennis ball, and Djokovic’s logo is present on the automatic caliber’s oscillating weight as well as on the second hand’s counterweight. The pushers that activate the chronograph are also shaped like a tennis ball.The combination of a sky-blue case material with lime-green and white accents makes for a handsome piece, and one that works while in uniform on the court as well as in streetwear while circling the F1 paddock.Jeff Haynes/Getty ImagesJayson Tatum’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying TourbillonJayson Tatum continues to flex his watch game with the addition of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon, which is the type of watch one buys when a regular-ole tourbillon just isn’t cutting it anymore. To be fair, we can’t very well fault him for his choice of wristwear: This special-edition RO is housed in an 18k yellow gold case with a matching bracelet, a smoked yellow gold-tone Grand Tapisserie dial, and a bezel set with baguette-cut diamonds and hour markers. This is before we even get to the flying tourbillon, which either increases chronometric accuracy or attracts lots of nerdy, middle-aged watch collectors at a Genevan cocktail party like moths to a flame…or both.Michael Ostuni/Getty ImagesTaylor HillSebastian Stan’s Panthère de CartierStar of The Apprentice—the film, not the TV show—Sebastian Stan has been making his way through the Cartier oeuvre. In addition to the beautiful platinum Tortue he wore in October to the London Film Festival and the Crash he rocked at the Met Gala back in May, he’s now added a Panthère de Cartier to the mix. What was once regarded as a distinctly feminine silhouette has now become a much more unisex timepiece adopted by a myriad of stylish men. But Stan’s is no run-of-the-mill Panthère. This one, a Medium model in 18k yellow gold, features a diamond-studded bezel as well as a matching inner diamond-studded dial.Cesc MaymoPatrick Dempsey’s TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Extreme SportPlay a sexy doctor, drive a fast car, wear an excellent chronograph. As my grandmother would say: “We should all be so lucky!” Patrick Dempsey’s TAG Heuer collection now includes the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport, an ultraluxe version of the brand’s famed racing watch born in 1963 and named in honor of the Carrera Panamericana race. Powered by the automatic TH20-00 movement, it features a 44mm gold and titanium case and a striking skeletonized dial with 18k rose-gold accents. With a black ceramic bezel and Grade 2 titanium parts, it’s a tech-forward expression of a distinctly utilitarian piece with decades of history. At $12,500, it’s not much more expensive than the steel, non-skeletonized versions, especially considering the precious-metal elements. Now here’s the bad news: It does not come with a 1963 Porsche 356.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Getty Im
Like his fellow racket swingers Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic is a north star in the watch world. In fact, just this week he was spotted in the paddock at F1 Grand Prix of Qatar wearing his very own collaboration piece with Hublot.
After switching allegiances from Audemars Piguet to Seiko in 2014, he joined the Hublot family in 2021—a fitting home considering the marque’s embrace of cutting-edge, lightweight materials and tech-forward designs. And while he’s been spotted in pieces such as the Fusion Black Magic during more formal occasions, it’s the Big Bang series—with its oversized cases, bright colors, and rubber straps—that seems most natural on the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s wrist.
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The most recent Big Bang, however, is the Joker’s most natural wrist partner. The Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic bears not only Djokovic’s name but also numerous tech breakthroughs and Easter eggs: The watch is incredibly lightweight thanks to its unique composition of epoxy resin and quartz powder. It weighs in at just 49.5 grams, which means Djokovic might be able to take it out on the court like Nadal often did with his Richard Mille pieces. But that’s not all that makes the case material special—it’s also infused with recycled Head rackets and Lacoste polos from Djokovic’s 2023 season.
Another fun Djokovic-related fact: This Big Bang Unico is lighter than a tennis ball. In addition to its airy case, Hublot also switched out sapphire crystal for Gorilla Glass and used aluminum rather than brass in the movement plates to shave grams. The four available straps—white rubber, light-blue Velcro, blue elastic, and “Lacoste” tennis wristband—also help to keep the weight down.
Beyond the physical lightness of the watch, other nods to tennis are present in its design. The upper chronograph pusher, five-minute indices, and seconds hand are share their green-yellow hue with a tennis ball, and Djokovic’s logo is present on the automatic caliber’s oscillating weight as well as on the second hand’s counterweight. The pushers that activate the chronograph are also shaped like a tennis ball.
The combination of a sky-blue case material with lime-green and white accents makes for a handsome piece, and one that works while in uniform on the court as well as in streetwear while circling the F1 paddock.
Jayson Tatum’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon
Jayson Tatum continues to flex his watch game with the addition of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon, which is the type of watch one buys when a regular-ole tourbillon just isn’t cutting it anymore. To be fair, we can’t very well fault him for his choice of wristwear: This special-edition RO is housed in an 18k yellow gold case with a matching bracelet, a smoked yellow gold-tone Grand Tapisserie dial, and a bezel set with baguette-cut diamonds and hour markers. This is before we even get to the flying tourbillon, which either increases chronometric accuracy or attracts lots of nerdy, middle-aged watch collectors at a Genevan cocktail party like moths to a flame…or both.
Sebastian Stan’s Panthère de Cartier
Star of The Apprentice—the film, not the TV show—Sebastian Stan has been making his way through the Cartier oeuvre. In addition to the beautiful platinum Tortue he wore in October to the London Film Festival and the Crash he rocked at the Met Gala back in May, he’s now added a Panthère de Cartier to the mix. What was once regarded as a distinctly feminine silhouette has now become a much more unisex timepiece adopted by a myriad of stylish men. But Stan’s is no run-of-the-mill Panthère. This one, a Medium model in 18k yellow gold, features a diamond-studded bezel as well as a matching inner diamond-studded dial.
Patrick Dempsey’s TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport
Play a sexy doctor, drive a fast car, wear an excellent chronograph. As my grandmother would say: “We should all be so lucky!” Patrick Dempsey’s TAG Heuer collection now includes the Carrera Chronograph Extreme Sport, an ultraluxe version of the brand’s famed racing watch born in 1963 and named in honor of the Carrera Panamericana race. Powered by the automatic TH20-00 movement, it features a 44mm gold and titanium case and a striking skeletonized dial with 18k rose-gold accents. With a black ceramic bezel and Grade 2 titanium parts, it’s a tech-forward expression of a distinctly utilitarian piece with decades of history. At $12,500, it’s not much more expensive than the steel, non-skeletonized versions, especially considering the precious-metal elements. Now here’s the bad news: It does not come with a 1963 Porsche 356.
Jacob Elordi’s Rolex Day-Date
Jacob Elordi has progressed from the Tank Louis Cartier to the Rolex Day-Date with the evolutionary grace of a well-coiffed Pokémon (a huge compliment). Where once was a rectangular gold dress watch with a leather strap is now a round gold dignitary’s timepiece with a matching, solid-gold “President” bracelet. Further sartorial points have been awarded to Elordi for his choice of a five-digit model from the ’70s or ’80s, which, when taken in conjunction with his tieless tuxedo and scruffy beard, places him roughly halfway along the Serpico-Scarface continuum.
