John Mayer’s Award-Winning Watch Collection
The watches of one of the greatest musicians of all time are to die for
John Mayer, a seven-time recipient of the coveted Grammy Award, entered the music scene in 1999 with his debut EP, Inside Wants Out. His first full-length album, Room for Squares (2001), was an instant sensation and solidified his position as a promising young musician.
Since then, he has gone on to release seven more albums to widespread acclaim from both critics and fans alike. These include Heavier Things (2003), Continuum (2006), Battle Studies (2009), Born and Raised (2012), Paradise Valley (2013), The Search for Everything (2017), and most recently, Sob Rock (2021). But it is not just in the world of music that Mayer shines; he also holds a special place in the realm of horology as one of the few celebrity watch enthusiasts and collectors. From his humble beginnings with a Rolex Explorer II, purchased with his first paycheck in 2001, to becoming one of Audemars Piguet’s trusted “Creative Conduits”, Mayer has cultivated a distinct reputation for his love of timepieces.
Here’s a look at his watch collection:
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar “John Mayer” White Gold 41MM
In March 2024, Audemars Piguet joined forces with John Mayer to release an exclusive watch: the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Made with gleaming white gold and adorned with a "Crystal Sky" dial, this limited edition watch was priced at a staggering $180,700 for only 200 lucky buyers. Along with this collaboration, John Mayer was bestowed the honorary title of "Creative Conduit" by Audemars Piguet. The "Crystal Sky" dial draws inspiration from the vast expanse of the sky, crafted through a meticulous stamping technique. A brass dial plate showcases a mesmerizing pattern reminiscent of natural crystals, achieved through the intricate electroforming process.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Grande Complication Black Ceramic 44MM
Earlier this year, John Mayer was spotted wearing another rare Audemars Piguet. This time it was none other than the Royal Oak Grande Complication in black ceramic. This extraordinary watch features an array of impressive complications, such as a perpetual calendar, a minute repeater, and a split-second chronograph. Its precise perpetual calendar keeps track of the date, day, month, and leap year, while its minute repeater melodiously chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes upon request. With its split-second chronograph functionality, you can accurately time multiple events simultaneously.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon "Spider-Man" 42MM
At the star-studded Heart and Armor Foundation benefit concert in California, held on a September night last year, the audience was treated to a surprise collaboration between two music legends – Ed Sheeran and John Mayer. As they belted out their hit songs, they were adorned with the limited edition Royal Oak Spiderman watches. This is an exclusive piece created in collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Marvel. The design features a stunning 3D Spider-Man figure crafted from white gold, set within a sleek 42mm frame. With only 250 pieces available worldwide, this watch is a coveted collector's item and comes with a hefty price tag of $215,000, similar to their previous Black Panther edition.
F.P. JOURNE Élégante in Titanium 48MM
Last year, John Mayer wore the F.P. Journe's Èlègante in titanium while on tour. In the watchmaking world, few are as highly regarded as Journe, with its ability to infuse traditional designs with modern elements. Interestingly, the Èlègante was originally intended for women at the request of clients' wives who wanted a feminine watch instead of a smaller men's version. However, two years later, it was the husbands who were clamoring for their own Èlègante and Journe responded by creating this 48-millimeter model.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Tourbillon Piece Unique 41MM
What makes John Mayer a true visionary among celebrity watch collectors is his having access to watches never seen before. This is the case with this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon – it’s a Piece Unique, so Mayer is the only one in possession of this timepiece. This one is made from stainless steel with a dial to match and flaunts a mesmerizing tourbillon at six o’clock with cobalt-blue accents. Another unique feature of this timepiece is its indices, which are elevated by subtle blue highlights as well.
ROLEX Day-Date Puzzle Dial in White Gold 36MM
Designed either in white, rose, or yellow gold, these watches stand out with their puzzling enamel faces and unconventional complications. Instead of the typical day display at 12 o'clock, these watches feature inspirational words like 'Happy,' 'Eternity,' 'Gratitude,' 'Peace,' 'Faith,' 'Love,' and 'Hope.' In a refreshing twist, the date window at 3 o'clock showcases a different emoji each day, adding an element of playfulness to the design. To add to its elegance, the dial is adorned with ten dazzling baguette-cut sapphires as hour markers. In August 2023, musician John Mayer caused a stir in the watch community when he was seen sporting the rare white gold Rolex Day-Date puzzle dial. He is the first known celebrity to wear this exclusive Rolex that is not even listed in their catalog anymore.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Yellow Gold Turquoise dial 37MM
During his performance in 2023, John Mayer flaunted yet another original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. However, this particular piece stood out from the others with its striking turquoise dial. The meticulous craftsmanship of the iconic Royal Oak design blended seamlessly with the vibrant color contrast between the 18k yellow gold and bold turquoise stone. The combination is evocative of Mediterranean royalty, reminiscent of pharaohs in Egypt, while also exuding a groovy '70s vibe. This isn't just any turquoise – it's a unique shade that can only be described as John Mayer blue. The only watch that could possibly compare would be the modern Rolex Day-Date with its own eye-catching turquoise dial.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in White Ceramic 41MM
Although IWC is known for pioneering ceramic in watchmaking, Audemars Piguet has also established a strong tradition with this innovative material. Its collection includes striking models in blue and black ceramic, but John Mayer has chosen a white option. Made from meticulously hand-finished white ceramic, these timepieces boast impressive complications such as an astronomical moon display, week of the year indicator, and leap year indicator. The face is shielded by a sapphire crystal that is anti-glare on both sides, ensuring optimal readability at all times. Against a deep blue backdrop, the dial showcases a stunning Grande Tapisserie pattern and features silver-toned counters at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The hour markers are crafted from white gold and applied to match the exquisite Royal Oak hands, which are also coated with luminescent material for easy legibility in any lighting.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Music Edition in White Gold 43MM
A few days after its highly-anticipated release in the hot summer of 2022, the talented American musician and notorious watch collector was spotted with the luxurious 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Music Edition 15601BC during his unforgettable performance in Bristow, Virginia. This exclusive timepiece boasts a mesmerizing blue aventurine dial adorned with a striking equalizer design and is part of a limited edition collection of only 250 pieces available worldwide. Crafted with an 18k white gold case, this extraordinary watch features a bezel encrusted with exquisite red to blue baguette-cut gemstones, as well as a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and case-back.
G-SHOCK Ref. 6900-PT1 by John Mayer
In a heartfelt moment, Mayer expressed his gratitude to his fans in Indonesia during the Christmas season of 2022 on Instagram. His wrist was adorned with the latest G-Shock DW6900JM22, a joint effort between G-Shock and Hodinkee. The watch boasts a sleek dusty blue design, adding a playful touch to their previous collaborations.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in Titanium Salmon Dial 41MM
In 2022, Mayer caught our attention with an uber-exclusive watch on his wrist – the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar with a striking salmon-colored dial. This model was initially only available in Japan, with a limited production of 150 units. But eventually, AP decided to release it globally. The watch boasts impressive features such as day, date, week, month, astronomical moon, leap year, and hour and minute indications. However, there are no seconds displayed – instead, a sleek central hand points to a week scale. Inside the watch lies Calibre 5134 from an independent company that first appeared in 2015. It is based on the legendary Caliber 2120 launched back in 1967, known for being the thinnest full-rotor automatic winding movement in the world. With a power reserve of 40 hours and a frequency of 19,800vph, this mechanism operates smoothly and quietly. And at just 9.5mm thick, this elegant timepiece offers a water resistance of up to 20 meters.
AUDEMARS PIGUET Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon GMT in Titanium 44MM
John Mayer's prized possession, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon GMT, is a rare gem in his impressive collection. During his 2022 concert, fans spotted this stunning timepiece adorning Mayer's wrist. The watch boasts a unique white ceramic bezel, crown, and pushpieces that create a striking contrast against the titanium case. And in true pioneering fashion, the manufacturer has taken it a step further by incorporating ceramic into the movement. The previously blackened Calibre 2913 upper bridge has been replaced with sparkling white ceramic, giving the new Calibre 2930 a visually transformative effect. Its hourglass-shaped bridge glimmers even more with the addition of dual symmetry from the tourbillon bridges and GMT display.
ROLEX Daytona “Rainbow” in White Gold 40MM
The Rolex Daytona Rainbow edition is a coveted timepiece among the rich and famous. Renowned celebrities like Adam Levine, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg, Post Malone, and many others have been spotted wearing this prestigious watch. The bezel is adorned with stunning baguette-cut sapphires in a rainbow of colors, while the lugs and crown guards are encrusted with glistening white diamonds. John even has the rare yellow and white gold variations available. During a recent appearance on Hot Ones, he was seen sporting the steel version 116520RBOW which can fetch up to $250,000 on the secondary market.
ROLEX Daytona “John Mayer” 40MM
The Rolex Daytona Ref. 116508 in 18K yellow gold has a fascinating tale. Unveiled at the Baselworld watch fair in Basel, Switzerland, back in 2016, it was the first Daytona to feature a vibrant green dial. Initial reviews of this $34,650 timepiece were mixed and lukewarm. However, three years later, John Mayer made a surprising revelation on Talking Watches – he owned the elusive green dial Dayton and deemed it a "hidden gem". This caused a sudden surge in demand and turned the green Daytona into a coveted sensation known as the Rolex Daytona 'John Mayer’.
PATEK PHILIPPE Aquanaut Travel Time “Tiffany & Co.” 40.8MM
Another grail in John Mayer’s collection is this Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time with a Tiffany & Co. stamp. This stunning watch pays tribute to the renowned partnership between Patek Philipe and Tiffany & Co. Crafted with precision, this 40.8mm watch boasts a sleek stainless steel case. Its black embossed dial is graced with glowing golden numbers and the iconic Tiffany & Co. stamp at the top. Encased in sapphire crystal, the timepiece is secured by a brown rubber bracelet and Aquanaut fold-over clasp for ultimate comfort and style.
PATEK PHILIPPE Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with Baguette-cut Diamonds Platinum 40MM
Another exquisite watch in John Mayer’s expansive collection is this Patek Philippe Grand Complications Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, which the musician first showed up wearing back in 2007. Apart from featuring a host of impressive complications, this piece is also adorned with stunning baguette diamonds around its bezel.
ROLEX Daytona “Paul Newman” 37.5MM
Paul Newman was undoubtedly a legend of screen and stage. With his striking looks, he embodied the glamor of Hollywood's Golden Age. In addition, Newman had an affinity for the iconic Rolex Daytona, originally released in the 1960s and inspired by the famous racing track in Daytona, Florida. Few people can brag about having not one but two rare “Paul Newman” Daytonas, but, as always, John Mayer – an avid watch collector – is a member of that exclusive circle. This veritable holy grail features an unusual “exotic” dial design and a unique art deco style dial, with about 2,000 to 3,000 of this type of dial ever made in the world.