While his career may have begun in music, Kanye West’ has grown to become something of a
fashion icon as well. Because of this, Kanye’s net worth has ballooned to an estimated $1.8 billion
USD in 2022. And although Kanye’s fashion empire may not extend to watches, he has shown that
he appreciates fine wristwear. Indeed, Kanye referenced his love for watches in the his 2004 hit “All
Falls Down”. In the song he raps “that’s why you always see me with at least one of my watches /
Rollies and Pashas done drove me crazy”. He also references Jacob Arabo of Jacob & Co. fame later
in the song stating “I went to Jacob with twenty-five thou before I had a house and I’d do it again”.
Clearly Kanye has had an affinity for watches for a long time and his collection does not disappoint.
While a large portion of his collection is made up of Rolexes (whose isn’t?), he has a bunch of other
high-end brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Richard
Mille.
Ye’s been rapping about Rolex from the early days, so it makes sense that he has a fairly robust Rolex collection. Kanye clearly has a thing for gold watches, and gold Rolexes in particular. Almost all of the watches I have spotted him in are gold. One such piece Kanye has been seen wearing is a gold Rolex Submariner with blue dial. Kanye appears to be wearing the older variation, the Ref. 116618, as opposed to the newer Ref. 126618. You can pick up this gold Submariner on the secondary market for around $48,000 USD.
In addition to the the gold Submariner, Kanye West also owns one of the more, shall I say obscure, Rolexes. The Rolex Yacht-Master II is atypical for a Rolex, mostly because it comes in at a fairly large 44mm. The Yacht-Master II runs on a Rolex Calibre 4161 movement which allows the wearer to use the “chronograph” to countdown laps in 10 minute increments (hey, it may come in handy at that next regatta you plan on racing in…). You can read more about how the watch functions in our review. While I doubt Ye is using the complications, and I probably wouldn’t either, the Yacht-Master II is a lot of watch for someone that wants a Rolex with real presence on the wrist. The gold Rolex Yacht-Master II Ref. 116688 currently retails for $43,550 USD but sells on the secondary market for around $50,000 USD.
West also has been spotted wearing a couple variations of the iconic Rolex Daytona, obviously in gold. He was spotted with his ex, Kim Kardashian, wearing a everose (rose gold) Rolex Daytona Ref. 116515. While the watch pictured is on a rubber strap, Kanye appears to have his on a gator strap. Kanye’s Daytona Ref. 116515 currently is for sale on the grey market for around $67,000 USD.
Kanye’s other Daytona is a little a more unique. West’s Daytona Ref. 116518-0073 has a yellow gold case with Tahitian Mother of Pearl dial. This Daytona is discontinued but available on the secondary market for $43,000 USD.
The final Rolex I am featuring in Ye’s collection is a rose gold Rolex Day-Date. Kanye’s Day-Date is of the discontinued 41mm variety (Ref. 218235). It has a pink gold dial and roman numeral indices. The current Day-Dates offered by Rolex are 40mm so this one has a bit more heft to it. You can pick up this Rolex Day-Date Ref. 218235 on the secondary market for around $70,000 USD.
Kanye has also been spotted wearing at least one Patek Philippe over the years, and an older one at that. West was spotted wearing the stunning Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3800/1J in yellow gold with gold dial. You can pick one of these pieces up on the secondary market for around $110,000 USD.
One of my favorite pieces from Kanye’s collection isn’t a Patek Philippe or Rolex, or even an Audemars Piguet. Kanye has a gold Vacheron Constantin Chronograph that he was spotted wearing to the Grammy Awards. Considered among the “Holy Trinity of Swiss watchmakers” (along with Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet), Vacheron Constantin watches, and especially the Overseas, has been growing in popularity and value recently. Because of the increased demand, the gold Vacheron Constantin Overseas chronograph Ref. 49150 will cost you $135,000 USD on the secondary market.
One of the more unique pieces that West has been seen wearing is the Cartier Crash. The Crash is unique due to it’s asymmetric, distorted case and dial. The Crash was first introduced by Cartier in 1967 and it has since been rereleased multiple times. The Crash is not an inexpensive piece either on the secondary market. A piece from 1970 sold at auction for around $800,000 USD while a more modern version from 2003 sold at auction last year for $137,500 USD
One of the more unique pieces that West has been seen wearing is the Cartier Crash. The Crash is unique due to it’s asymmetric, distorted case and dial. The Crash was first introduced by Cartier in 1967 and it has since been rereleased multiple times. The Crash is not an inexpensive piece either on the secondary market. A piece from 1970 sold at auction for around $800,000 USD while a more modern version from 2003 sold at auction last year for $137,500 USD.
