As one of the richest pop stars in the world, with a net worth of around US$200 million, you might expect Ed Sheeran to splurge on lavish properties, private jets and fancy cars. But did you know that the notoriously dressed-down British singer – who has also written two mega-hits for K-pop’s BTS (2019’s Make It Right and 2021’s Permission to Dance) – has a serious penchant for exquisite timepieces? In fact, it’s estimated that the Grammy winner’s luxury watch collection is worth over US$6 million.
In 2019, the 31-year-old revealed that he had been collecting watches since he was 20 and that he got hooked on timepieces partly because of notable watch freak (and fellow pop star) John Mayer.
“I have bought watches for big occasions or momentous things that have happened in my life and career. I can pinpoint each watch to a special moment in my life. An IWC Big Pilot for my 22nd birthday, or a Patek Philippe 5004 for being nominated for my first Grammy (in 2012). Many memories and many watches, but they are all just as special and hold just as much meaning,” he shared with the Hodinkee community of watch lovers and enthusiasts.
So let’s take a closer look at some of most prized pieces from the singer’s timepiece collection.
Patek Philippe 2499
During the UK premiere of Yesterday in 2019, Sheeran was snapped wearing an extremely rare and vintage Patek Philippe 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases. Only 349 pieces of the model were ever produced between 1950 and 1985, and at Sotheby’s auction in 2018, one of the most remarkable wristwatches that Patek Philippe ever designed was sold for US$3.9 million.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1300A
Sheeran is definitely a Patek Philippe fan. A now-voracious collector of rare timepieces, he wore the super-rare green-dial Nautilus for the British GQ Men of the Year Awards ceremony in 2021.
The watch’s bezel is set with a row of 3.6 carats of baguette-cut diamonds. Originally priced at around US$95,000, it is already selling at auction houses for up to US$376,000.
Richard Mille RM 38-01 Tourbillon G-Sensor Quartz TPT
Another of Sheeran’s seemingly favourite brands is Richard Mille. At the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, where he took home the Artist of the Year and Best Male Video awards, he made a splash with the exotic Richard Mille RM 38-01 Tourbillon G-Sensor Bubba Watson White Quartz TPT.
Explicitly designed for world-famous golfer Bubba Watson, the limited edition watch costs about US$825,000.
Richard Mille RM 27-03
The 2012 GQ Worst-Dressed Man has upped his games significantly over the past decade. Last year he flaunted the highly stylised fresh-out-of-the-oven Richard Mille RM 27-03 during his performance for 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball. Designed specifically for Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal, the vivid, sporty watch was issued in a limited series of 50 pieces and can withstand shocks of up to 10,000gs, retails for US$725,000.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin
Patek Philippe and Richard Milles are not the only luxury brands that Sheeran possesses. He also owns the coveted, extremely limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin in black ceramic. Great for a quiet night in the pub, too.
Just 9mm thick, the sleek, classy watch’s 41mm case is adorned with sapphire crystals on the front and back, and features a black “Tapisserie Evolutive”, a sunburst motif that radiates outwards from the tourbillon. Unveiled in 2019 as a limited edition of 100 pieces, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon costs roughly US$375,000.
Note: This story was originally published on SCMP and has been republished on this website.
