Billionaire basketball legend Michael Jordan is a fan of exclusive luxury watches. Photo: Getty Images

One of the world’s richest billionaire athletes, Jordan has a love for luxury timepieces, from big brands like Rolex to niche, esoteric ones like A. Lange & Söhn, Urwerk and Roger Dubuis

Urwerk custom-made a watch to honour the NBA legend’s time with the Chicago Bulls, while another Rolex Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ once set the record for most expensive watch ever sold

Michael Jordan – or His Airness, as he’s known by his legions of diehard fans – is a towering figure in the world of professional sports. As a Chicago Bulls star player for 13 years, he won countless MVP awards, owns multiple championship rings, and pioneered the art of the lucrative endorsement deal with the Air Jordan basketball sneaker.

Among the richest athletes in the world, Michael Jordan collects watches from both known luxury brands and niche makers. Photo: Getty Images

Today, he’s among the richest athletes in the world – worth a staggering US$3 billion, per Forbes. With that kind of money, Jordan has plenty to invest in luxury watches, and the basketballer’s collection has steadily grown over the years, from uber-popular Rolexes to more niche, esoteric brands known only to dedicated collectors.

Here are a few highlights from his impeccably curated watch collection.

1. A. Lange & Söhne Datograph

Michael Jordan is often seen wearing this Datograph from A. Lange & Söhne. Photo: Handout

Jordan was among the first to embrace A. Lange & Söhne watches after the renowned German brand’s revival in the 1990s following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

While this Saxony-based watchmaker may not have the same global recognition as Swiss companies like Rolex due to its limited production numbers each year, it is highly revered in haute horology circles. Collectors and connoisseurs often regard A. Lange & Söhne’s exclusive and elusive timepieces as a “holy grail” for their complex, in-house movements.

Over the years, Jordan has been frequently seen wearing an A. Lange & Söhne Datograph. This particular chronograph, known for the brand’s iconic oversized date display, is valued at around US$100,000, per watch accessory shop Ifl Watches.

2. Custom-made “Chicago Bulls” Urwerk

Urwerk custom-made a timepiece to honour Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls heritage. Photo: Getty Images

Urwerk, another lesser-known gem among niche watchmakers, is a contemporary luxury Swiss brand celebrated for avant-garde, futuristic designs and an innovative approach. Its timepieces are distinguished by their complex, unconventional displays.

Jordan seems to have several of Urwerk’s space-age creations in his collection, including the models UR-103, UR-202, UR-220 and UR202S, along with a Miami Vice-inspired piece priced around US$150,000, per GQ.

However, Jordan’s crown jewel is his custom-made Urwerk. This unique timepiece is particularly meaningful, featuring red accents and the number 23, his Chicago Bulls jersey number, etched in gold Roman numerals, per Dmarge.

3. Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon

The most expensive watch in Michael Jordan’s collection is reportedly an Ulysse Nardin. Photo: Getty Images

This is yet another choice that exemplifies Jordan’s deep knowledge of luxury watches, with Swiss brand Ulysse Nardin representing a refined and somewhat unexpected choice for a collector.

Jordan’s most prized Ulysse Nardin (he owns at least two) is the Royal Blue Tourbillon, valued at a jaw-dropping US$1.25 million, per Superwatchman. Guaranteed to attract attraction, this flashy work of art features a platinum case, embellished with hundreds of white diamonds on the strap and face, and is further accented by 12 blue diamonds marking each hour.

In a world of luxury watches dominated by brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe, be the guy whose most expensive watch is a diamond-studded Ulysse Nardin.

4. Richard Mille RM 032 Diver Flyback Chronograph

Of course, Michael Jordan has to own a Richard Mille: his is an RM-032 titanium diver. Photo: @platinumtimesco/Instagram

No extravagant watch collection is complete without a Richard Mille, and Jordan’s is no exception.

He proudly owns the Richard Mille RM-032, a strikingly large titanium dive watch. Its unique dartboard-like design features an ice-blue dial, complemented by a bold orange bezel. The watch includes a flyback chronograph complication for tracking time down to the split second – ideal for drills on the court. This masterpiece of watchmaking sophistication is reportedly valued at around US$245,000.

5. Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli

Geneva-based Roger Dubuis makes it to Michael Jordan’s collection. Photo: @jewelebrity/Instagram

In the 2020 Netflix miniseries The Last Dance, Jordan is spotted sporting a watch from Roger Dubuis, another modern and somewhat lesser-known Geneva-based brand. These watches are celebrated for their bold features, including large cases, intricate movements and a distinct skeletonised design that showcases the complex inner workings through the dial.

Jordan’s Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Pirelli watch features a titanium case and bezel, a striking skeletonised dial under sapphire crystal, and a unique band made from motorsport tire rubber.

6. Rolex Platinum Daytona

The “Platona” or Rolex Platinum Daytona, like the one Michael Jordan owns, is a highly desirable piece among collectors. Photo: Getty Images

While Jordan has a penchant for less mainstream watchmakers, he is also clearly fond of rare Rolexes. A prime example is the “Platona”, a nickname for the platinum Rolex Daytona. This exquisite timepiece features a striking ice blue dial, a brown ceramic bezel, and its signature Oyster bracelet. Given its desirability and status among collectors, this watch reportedly commands a value of around US$200,000.

7. Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”

Michael Jordan also owns a Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”, among the most iconic models from the Swiss luxury watchmaker. Photo: @hawyantiks/Instagram

Jordan also boasts a rare stainless steel Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”. Named after the legendary actor who famously wore this model, these watches have become icons in their own right. In 2017, a version of this watch set a record by reportedly selling for U$17.8 million, momentarily claiming the title of the most expensive watch ever sold.

While Jordan’s particular “Paul Newman” Daytona may not reach the value of that record-setting piece, its high demand still commands a pretty penny. On the secondary market, his watch is estimated to be worth around US$250,000.