The 24 Best Watches at the 2026 US Open

The narrative of the tournament’s first week has been dominated by the "Crown." Rolex, a long-standing partner of global tennis, continues to use the US Open as a platform for its most influential ambassadors. Leading the charge is the legendary Roger Federer, whose retirement has only amplified his status as the ultimate style icon of the sport. During a high-profile practice session with Lorenzo Musetti at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Federer was spotted wearing the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 ref. 134300, featuring the "Jubilee" dial. This model, released to celebrate the centennial of the Oyster Perpetual—the foundation upon which the Rolex empire was built—features a playful, multi-colored geometric dial that spells out "Rolex." While the Oyster Perpetual is often considered the brand’s entry-level offering, this specific iteration has become a "hype" piece, bridging the gap between traditional luxury and contemporary pop culture. Its presence on the wrists of global superstars like Lionel Messi and Ed Sheeran confirms that even the most understated Rolex collections can achieve "grail" status through clever design and strategic placement.

The Daytona, however, remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of the US Open stands. This year, we saw a fascinating contrast between vintage prestige and modern rarity. Late-night host Jimmy Fallon brought a touch of horological history to the tournament with his Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" ref. 6239. The "Paul Newman" is defined by its "exotic" dial—characterized by blocky Art Deco numerals in the sub-dials and a contrasting outer seconds track. Since the 2017 auction of Paul Newman’s personal watch for a staggering $17.8 million, these references have transcended the status of mere timepieces to become alternative assets. Fallon’s choice of the ref. 6239, the exact reference worn by the actor himself, signals a deep appreciation for the "starter Newman" that helped define the vintage collecting boom of the last decade.

In contrast to Fallon’s vintage aesthetic, reigning superstar Carlos Alcaraz was seen sporting the Rolex Daytona "Le Mans." Created to honor the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, this watch is a masterclass in modern storytelling. It features a unique 24-hour chronograph counter, a nod to the race’s duration, and a red "100" on the tachymeter scale. Because Rolex produced these in limited quantities for only one year, they have become some of the most sought-after modern chronographs in the world. Alcaraz’s choice reflects his position as the new face of tennis: youthful, high-energy, and possessing an appetite for the most exclusive hardware available.

Adding to the Rolex fever was Anthony Mackie, who turned heads with the new and polarizing "Land-Dweller." As the latest expansion of the "Dweller" lineage—which includes the deep-sea Sea-Dweller and the travel-centric Sky-Dweller—the Land-Dweller is rumored to be Rolex’s answer to the luxury field watch, blending rugged utility with the brand’s signature precious metal finishes. While critics initially questioned the necessity of a new "Dweller" sub-brand, seeing it on the wrist of "Captain America" himself suggests that Rolex is successfully positioning the model as a must-have for the adventurous elite.

While Rolex arguably "owns" the venue, other members of the "Holy Trinity" of watchmaking made significant appearances. Dawn Staley, the powerhouse coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, showcased her winning taste with a Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon. The Overseas collection has seen a massive resurgence in 2026, moving out of the shadow of the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Staley’s version, featuring a rich maroon dial and an open-worked tourbillon at 6 o’clock, represents the pinnacle of the "sport-luxury" category. It is a watch that says the wearer understands the nuances of high horology but requires a piece durable enough for a life lived in the spotlight.

Not to be outdone, Ukrainian sensation Marta Kostyuk brought Patek Philippe to the court—literally. Kostyuk was observed playing in her Patek Philippe Aquanaut ref. 5067. The Aquanaut has long been the choice for those who find the Nautilus too formal for an active lifestyle. Her specific reference features a 36.3mm stainless steel case and a bezel set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds. Interestingly, Kostyuk opted to swap the standard "tropical" rubber strap for a custom fabric band, likely for better breathability during the intense New York humidity. The fact that a watch containing a sophisticated quartz calibre E23-250 S C can withstand the G-forces of a professional tennis match is a testament to Patek’s engineering, even in their more "fashion-forward" references.

The tournament also highlighted the growing trend of "Independent" watchmaking and technical innovation. Donna Vekić continued her partnership with F.P. Journe, wearing the Élégante during her matches. The Élégante is a marvel of electromechanical engineering; it features a motion sensor that allows the watch to go into a "sleep mode" to save battery when not in use, only to have the hands automatically reset to the correct time the moment the watch is moved. It is the perfect blend of high-end finishing and practical technology for an athlete. On the more avant-garde side, Travis Scott was spotted with a Richard Mille RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon. Richard Mille has built its brand on the concept of "a racing machine on the wrist," and the RM 75-01, with its fusion of Gothic architecture and aquatic design cues, is a prime example of the brand’s refusal to follow traditional aesthetic rules.

However, the 2026 US Open hasn’t just been about five- and six-figure price tags. A refreshing trend of "populist horology" has emerged, led by celebrities who value style over sheer cost. John Mulaney, whose reputation as a serious watch collector has grown significantly in recent years, was seen wearing a Timex Marlin. With its mid-century aesthetic, white dial, and green leather strap, the Marlin is proof that a sub-$500 watch can hold its own in a room full of millionaires if it has the right proportions and pedigree. Similarly, AJ Dybantsa, the highly anticipated top pick of the NBA Draft, chose a G-Shock G-Steel GST-B1000. The G-Steel offers the legendary toughness of a G-Shock but with a refined metal exterior that bridges the gap between streetwear and luxury. Dybantsa’s choice evokes the "G-Shock on the red carpet" era of the early 2000s, proving that rugged utility never truly goes out of style.

As the tournament progressed, the diversity of the Rolex catalog remained a focal point. Carmelo Anthony and Russell Wilson both opted for the brand’s most prestigious "Executive" models. Anthony wore the Sky-Dweller, Rolex’s most complicated modern watch, featuring an annual calendar and dual time zone functionality—the ultimate tool for the global traveler. Wilson, meanwhile, stuck to the classics with a solid 18k yellow gold Day-Date "President." The Day-Date remains the ultimate symbol of "having made it," a sentiment echoed by Peyton Watson, whose mother-of-pearl dial and diamond index Day-Date pushed the model into the realm of "god-tier" luxury.

The sports-luxury crossover continued with Orlando Bloom’s Porsche Design Chronograph 1. As a brand ambassador and genuine Porsche enthusiast, Bloom’s choice of the 1975 Limited Edition titanium model was a nod to the history of functional design. The Chronograph 1 was the first watch to ever feature an all-black case, a design choice intended to mimic the non-reflective dashboards of race cars. Bloom’s modern titanium version is lightweight and hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for a long day in the New York sun.

Finally, we saw a strong showing from the "Knick Bench Mob" and other New York sports icons. Miles McBride broke from the Rolex trend of his teammates to wear a Cartier Santos with a black ADLC (Amorphous Diamond-Like Carbon) coating. The "murdered out" look of the Santos provides a stealthy, modern alternative to the traditional polished steel versions, perfectly suiting McBride’s focused, defensive persona. His teammate Tyler Kolek, however, stayed with the Crown, wearing a stately blue-dial Datejust—a watch that is as versatile as his playstyle on the court.

The 2026 US Open has proven once again that the tennis court is the world’s most prestigious runway for timepieces. From the high-stakes world of vintage auctions represented by Jimmy Fallon’s "Paul Newman" to the accessible cool of John Mulaney’s Timex, the tournament reflects a global watch culture that is more diverse and educated than ever before. As the final rounds approach, we expect the horological heavy hitters to save their very best for the championship matches, ensuring that the "watch spotting" at Arthur Ashe Stadium remains a grand slam in its own right.