The US Open has evolved into a key event for luxury watch enthusiasts, offering a unique glimpse into the timepieces worn by tennis stars and celebrities. This year's tournament in New York was no exception, with a range of striking models on display both on and off the court.
Quaid Walker, CEO of Bezel, a leading marketplace for luxury watches, highlights the standout pieces from the event. "The Open gets covered as a watch-spotting event in its own right," he notes, underscoring the growing intersection between high-end horology and professional tennis.
Zverev's Winning Timepiece
Alexander Zverev, who clinched his second Grand Slam title, marked the occasion with a Jacob & Co "The World Is Yours" Dual Time Zone Tourbillon. The German champion, who has had a career-defining year, wore the piece during the trophy ceremony, a deliberate choice to maximize visibility.
"Zverev played the tournament in a skeletonized Epic X on an elastic band and changed into this for the trophy, which has become a small ritual of sorts among players with watch sponsorships," Walker explains. The watch features a globe-shaped dial with intricate details, including mountain ranges and coastlines, and a 30-second tourbillon that spins at twice the standard speed. It was a finalist at last year's Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève.
Alcaraz's Collector's Holy Grail
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, arrived in New York wearing the Rolex Daytona "Le Mans," a limited edition released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French endurance race. The watch, distinguished by a red "100" on its black Cerachrom bezel, has become a collector's item, fetching over €200,000 on the secondary market.
"Even when it was in production, you likely couldn't get your hands on one," Walker recalls. "These went exclusively to the brand's most established clients, with sub-single-year production runs per metal prior to discontinuation." Alcaraz, who signed with Rolex in January 2022, was eliminated in the semifinals by home favourite Ben Shelton, but his watch choice remained a talking point.
Federer's Hall of Fame Debut
Roger Federer, inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during this year's US Open, chose the occasion to debut the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 "Jubilee," one of the most anticipated releases of 2026. The watch features a vibrant dial with ten colours pad-printed in sequence, a design that has generated significant buzz.
"Since around 2020, the dial has overwhelmingly influenced the value of an Oyster Perpetual," Walker says. "The original lacquer colors did it first, the Celebration motif pushed it further, and the Jubilee is its most extreme version yet. It's undeniably the OP to have right now, a fact reinforced by its presence on Federer's wrist."
Independent Brands Shine
Beyond the major houses, independent watchmakers also made their mark. Croatian player Donna Vekić, who exited in the second round, wore an FP Journe Elégante, a titanium timepiece known for its electromechanical movement that stops when at rest and resets upon movement, offering an impressive 8-10 years of battery life.
Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk also showcased an independent brand, though details of her specific model were not disclosed. These choices reflect a growing trend among athletes to favour niche, artisanal watchmakers over the traditional giants.
The US Open's role as a watch-spotting event is now firmly established, with players and celebrities alike using the tournament to display their horological tastes. As the lines between sport, fashion, and luxury continue to blur, expect even more remarkable timepieces on the courts of Flushing Meadows in the years to come.
