Tom Brady is the most dedicated player in NFL history.
Photo: Debby Wong/Zuma Press/Alamy
Tom Brady Passes His Watch Collection to Sotheby’s
Examples by Audemars Piguet, Rolex, IWC and Richard Mille are among the “MVPs” on offer in the December 10 single-owner evening sale
This white gold and diamond-set flying tourbillon Royal Oak with bracelet by Audemars Piguet, owned and worn by Tom Brady in Netflix’s Greatest Roast of All Time: The Roast of Tom Brady carries a presale estimate of $400,000 to $800,000. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
You don’t have to be a football fanatic to appreciate that Tom Brady is an icon of American culture. Throughout his 23-year career as the quarterback for the New England Patriots and later, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he was a seven-time Super Bowl champion—the most titles of any player ever. Brady retired in 2023 as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (89,214) and touchdown passes (649) and has received accolades in many other aspects of the sport. His legacy as the most decorated player in NFL history earned Brady the nickname of the G.O.A.T. (i.e., the “Greatest of All Time”).
However, his interest aren’t limited to just the gridiron; he is also a passionate collector of luxury watches, a number of which will be offered for the first time at a public auction at Sotheby’s. Following presentations of his collection in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami, five of Brady’s cherished timepieces will be up for sale during a December 10 auction in New York.
Tom Brady's Rolex Reference 228396TBR, presumed to achieve $80,000 to $120,000 in Sotheby's December 10 evening sale. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Richard Mille 35-03 ‘Baby Nadal’ from Sotheby's December 10 auction "The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady.” Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
“I’ve been so fortunate to have such an amazing journey in my career, and these watches really capture those unforgettable moments and all the hard work behind them,” Brady said in a statement. “I’m excited to give fans and collectors a chance to own and cherish these special pieces from my journey just like I have. I hope they bring as much joy and inspiration to fans as they did for me!”
Brady has been building his collection of luxury watches since 2002, the year of his first Super Bowl victory, but his passion for all things horological goes all way the way back to the high school graduation gift his parents gave him upon being accepted to the University of Michigan. According to Sotheby’s, his college computer screensaver featured an IWC GST Automatic Alarm, a timepiece he had long hoped to own. Eventually he would go on to realize that aspiration as a champion quarterback, visiting the Tourneau store in New York to acquire that very IWC GST watch, as well as a steel IWC GST Chronograph Rattrapante and a Panerai Luminor Marina.
Tom Brady’s rose-gold Patek Philippe Nautilus timepieces is presumed to achieve between $180,000 and $240,000 in the December 10 sale at Sotheby's. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
The quarterback's Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition ‘SFTI’ which will be included in Sotheby's December 10 auction "The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady.” Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Since that time, Brady’s enthusiasm for watch collecting has only deepened. The Sotheby’s offerings mark just a small sampling but fittingly includes an IWC model (Brady is a former ambassador for the Swiss watchmaker).
“In the past few years that I have come to know Tom Brady, watches have been our common denominator,” says Sotheby’s senior watch specialist, Richard Lopez. “Just as he mastered the language of football, he has devoted himself to understanding the intricacies of watches, curating a world-class assortment of exquisite timepieces in recent years that reflects his deep passion for collecting.”
Brady's game-used helmet is also headed to auction. Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby's
Tom Brady's Michigan ‘Final College’ game worn jersey, which will be included in Sotheby's December 10 auction "The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady.” Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
Also included in the December 10 “The GOAT Collection: Watches and Treasures from Tom Brady” sale are pieces of notable sports memorabilia, such as the quarterback’s final college game-worn jersey from the University of Michigan, which is expected to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000; his wristband from the famed Super Bowl LI comeback game, which carries a presale estimate of $120,000 to $180,000; and a game-used helmet from his tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers presumed to achieve $100,000 to $150,000.
“These are absolute treasures from the greatest to ever play the game,” says Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, Brahm Wachter. “The collection is truly unparalleled; the stories they tell, the authenticity they embody, and their historical significance elevate them beyond mere collectibles—these items are genuine pieces of sports history.”
Cover: Tom Brady is the most dedicated player in NFL history.
Photo: Debby Wong/Zuma Press/Alamy
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