The 2026 NBA Finals were a watch lover’s dream. As the New York Knicks battled the San Antonio Spurs through five games, the courtside crowd delivered some of the most impressive wrist spotting of the year. Meanwhile, players turned the tunnel and the bench into a runway for six-figure timepieces. As a result, the Finals offered as much to watch on wrists as on the court.
The Knicks ultimately clinched their first championship in 53 years. However, the watch flexes ran deep on both sides. Below are the standout timepieces spotted courtside during the series.
Spike Lee’s Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
The most fitting watch of the Finals belonged to the Knicks’ most famous superfan. Spike Lee, a courtside fixture at Madison Square Garden for decades, wore an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M in team colors for Game Four. The 45.5mm piece featured a striking mix of blue and orange ceramic, perfectly matching the Knicks palette.
As a result, it was the rare celebrity watch spot that doubled as a statement of fandom. The Seamaster Planet Ocean is one of Omega’s most capable dive watches, built for genuine underwater performance while still reading boldly on the wrist. Meanwhile, the team-colored execution made it a perfect courtside choice. Precision Watches carries a range of Omega watches, and for collectors drawn to the brand’s dive heritage, our guide to the history of Omega watches explores its evolution.
Josh Hart’s Jacob & Co. Stunners
Knicks guard Josh Hart brought serious watch firepower to the series. For Game Three, he strapped on a rose-gold Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron, a watch worth roughly $445,000. The bonkers timepiece, limited to just 72 examples, features a miniature working W-16 engine replica inside the case.
As a result, it was one of the boldest flexes of the entire Finals. Jacob & Co. is known for exactly this kind of mechanical theater, and Hart leaned fully into it. Meanwhile, his teammate Karl-Anthony Towns also sported a six-figure Jacob & Co. piece courtside, making the Knicks bench one of the most watch-heavy in recent Finals memory.
Jay-Z’s Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon
Few watches command respect like a Patek Philippe grand complication. Jay-Z, a longtime courtside presence, showed off a Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon during the series. This is one of Patek’s most complicated and coveted creations, featuring a double-face case with astronomical complications.
As a result, it ranked among the most horologically significant watches spotted all series. The Sky Moon Tourbillon represents the pinnacle of traditional watchmaking. Meanwhile, its presence courtside reflected the deep overlap between hip-hop, celebrity culture, and high-end collecting.
DJ Khaled’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Music producer DJ Khaled, a noted watch collector, brought an off-catalog Audemars Piguet Royal Oak to the Finals. The Royal Oak is one of the most iconic luxury sports watches ever made, defined by its octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet.
As a result, Khaled’s piece drew immediate attention from watch enthusiasts. Off-catalog and special-order Royal Oaks are especially coveted, since they are harder to obtain than standard references. Meanwhile, the watch reinforced the Royal Oak’s enduring status as a collector favorite among celebrities.
Timothée Chalamet’s Urban Jürgensen UJ-1
Actor Timothée Chalamet, courtside throughout the Knicks’ run, showed off one of the most interesting watches of the series: an Urban Jürgensen UJ-1. This is one of three six-figure models the Danish-Swiss watchmaker released in 2025 as part of its rebrand.
The UJ-1 is a modern wristwatch take on a legendary oval pocket watch. As a result, it features a flying tourbillon paired with a remontoir and detent escapement, a genuinely rare combination. Meanwhile, the watch’s craftsmanship traces back to the late Derek Pratt and was finished by acclaimed watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. For serious collectors, it was arguably the most horologically fascinating spot of the Finals.
Jerry Seinfeld’s Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a well-known watch collector, kept things classic with a Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute. The Navitimer is one of the most storied pilot’s chronographs in watchmaking, and the Cosmonaute variant carries genuine space-flight heritage.
As a result, Seinfeld’s choice stood out as one of the more understated yet historically significant spots. While many courtside watches chased maximum flash, the Navitimer Cosmonaute reflected a collector’s appreciation for heritage. Meanwhile, it added welcome variety to a Finals full of bold statement pieces.
What the Finals Watch Spotting Tells Us
The 2026 NBA Finals reinforced how deeply watches have become part of celebrity and sports culture. From players to musicians to actors, the courtside crowd treated the series as a stage for serious horology. As a result, the watch spotting spanned the full spectrum, from complicated grand complications to bold sports watches.
For watch enthusiasts, events like these highlight how a great timepiece makes a statement in any setting. Meanwhile, the variety on display, from Omega to Patek Philippe to Audemars Piguet, shows there is a standout watch for every taste and style.
Find Your Own Standout Watch at Precision Watches
You do not need a courtside seat to wear a watch that makes a statement. For collectors looking for a luxury watch store near Philadelphia, Precision Watches is a family-owned retailer just outside the city in Lower Gwynedd, PA. The showroom features watches from Omega, Cartier, Tudor, Longines, Hamilton, and Bell & Ross.
Our team can help you find a watch that suits your style and budget. In addition, we offer in-house expert watch servicing by our certified watchmakers to keep your timepiece running for years to come.
For more celebrity and event watch spotting, our journal covers the latest luxury watch news and standout timepieces from major events.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watches at the 2026 NBA Finals
What watch did Spike Lee wear at the NBA Finals?
Spike Lee wore an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M in Knicks colors during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals. The 45.5mm watch featured blue and orange ceramic, matching the New York Knicks palette.
What watches did the players wear at the 2026 NBA Finals?
Knicks players brought serious watch firepower. Josh Hart wore a rose-gold Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron worth around $445,000, while teammate Karl-Anthony Towns also sported a six-figure Jacob & Co. piece courtside.
What watch did Jay-Z wear at the NBA Finals?
Jay-Z wore a Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon, one of Patek’s most complicated and coveted creations, featuring a double-face case with astronomical complications.
Who had the most interesting watch at the 2026 NBA Finals?
Many enthusiasts pointed to Timothée Chalamet’s Urban Jürgensen UJ-1, a six-figure piece featuring a flying tourbillon, remontoir, and detent escapement. Meanwhile, Spike Lee’s Knicks-colored Omega Seamaster was the most fitting spot for the occasion.
