The Best Watches from the 2025 Grammys
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Will Smith had his work cut out at last night’s Grammys.
Not only was it his first major awards appearance since that unfortunate business with Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, but he was given the job of leading a tribute to Quincy Jones, the late super-producer and one of the most universally admired musicians of all time. (Smith introduced Herbie Hancock on piano for the tribute, another giant.)
Smith needed to be good, and look good too.
Balmain took care of the former Fresh Prince’s clothes – a black suit with silver and diamond-encrusted embellishments on his coat – while his wristwear proved similarly sharp.
Smith wore a vintage Universal Genève Polerouter ref. 2 20217-5.
The watch was sourced for him by Eric Wind, the acclaimed Miami vintage dealer, and subject of an excellent Esquire profile.
It’s hard to think of a more on-point choice.
Universal Genève, once a significant name in watchmaking, has been largely inactive since the early 2000s, but was bought up by Breitling at the end of 2023, with a big relaunch pencilled in for next year.
The Polerouter is a watch that absolutely slaps, and one UG will surely lead on come its ‘26 resurrection, as the hype around the brand reaches fever pitch. (Wind serves on an advisory board to the brand. Handy!)
Elsewhere on last night’s red carpet, punk legend and Green Day frontman Bille Joe Armstrong proved he’s no American idiot when it comes to horology, rocking a classy Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra with a lush burgundy lacquer dial in luxe-y two-tone steel and gold.
Too restrained for you?
Dapper Nigerian singer and songwriter Lojay took things up a gear with his Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium White Diamonds.
A statement piece, if ever there was one.
Some folks believe that diamonds can change your luck – a theme taken to the max by Mexican singer Peso Pluma, who sported a new haircut plus a Jacob & Co Casino Roulette Tourbillion, a watch that features a fully-functional wrist-sized roulette table, said to be “a nod to the elegant gamblers and socialites that populated 1960s Las Vegas”.
(Pluma ultimately lost out to Boca Cheuca in the Best Música Mexicana Album category.)
Elsewhere, Chad Smith, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer sometimes erroneously believed to be related to Will Ferrell, was taking no chances.
His platinum Rolex Daytona comes with an ice blue dial, chestnut brown ceramic bezel and 18k gold applique hour markers.
It’s the ultimate Rolex for anyone for whom rocking hard is quite literally their job description.
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