Inside Carmelo Anthony’s Million-Dollar Watch Collection, Featuring Rare LeBron and Ali Timepieces

I don’t like to boast, but I am like one of the first guys [in basketball] to embrace the world of timepieces and watches. I know the history for each brand and [I like] sharing that knowledge with everybody else.” Carmelo Anthony did not hide his pride in being a watch collector. As someone who once bought 12 Rolex watches for his teammates, think about Melo’s personal watch collection!

Not many are aware of the fact that apart from being a former basketball player and now a businessman, Melo is also an avid collector. He has an impressive collection of sneakers and wines at his mansion in Westchester, New York. But he is also one of the sports stars who has a love for collecting watches and understands the true value of it. From LeBron James’ watch to some of the rarest ones, his timepiece collection is breathtaking.

Early in November of 2024, Melo made an appearance at the UBS House of Craft which was held in association with Hodinkee. While speaking of how the watch has been a part of his career and more, Melo revealed some of the highlight pieces of his collection. Interestingly, one of the watches that he spoke about was the one that his friend and former rival and teammate LeBron James had gifted him. 

Carmelo Anthony talks about his two precious watches

It was a Audemars Piguet. As per RobbReport, the watch collection where each ranged reportedly $50,000 was limited to 600 pieces. It’s a beautiful, bold, and exceptionally brilliant timepiece. There are two more stunning AP watches in his collection, Royal Oak Offshore Michael Schumacher titanium and Royal Oak timepiece.

“My LeBron James Audemars is a special gift from him. That was special I mean as far as like what they mean like those probably was the only two. That Muhammad Ali IWC means a lot to me I was able to get number seven of the collection so it was a beautiful thing that I was able to get,” Melo shared.

The other watch mentioned by the 10x NBA All-Star is the iconic Big Pilot Edition Muhammad Ali. The watch is reportedly priced at $15,000. He has always been a huge fan of the late professional boxer. During Melo’s time with the Knicks, he dropped 62 points against the Charlotte Hornets after a series of defeats. Who inspired him? Before the matchup, Melo kept listening to one of Ali’s motivational speeches. So, it certainly means a lot to him.

There are more interesting elements. The dial features are also gray and adorned with pink-gold Arabic numerals and silver subdials. This isn’t the only masterpiece from IWC Schaffhausen that Melo boasts of in his collection. 

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Volcano 

The host asked him about the watch he was wearing at the event. He had the most breathtaking Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Volcano on his wrist when he joined the Knicks. Back in 2011, there was a lot of hype when Melo was joining the New York Knicks, as many saw him as the player who could help elevate the team’s performance. This watch’s in-house movement is as good as a sports watch. 

Working since 1868, the Swiss watchmakers are known for their brilliance in both mechanics and design. The Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “50 Years Science for Galapagos” is another highlight from his collection. Another stunning piece is his first Tourbillon watch, the Portuguese Tourbillon Mystère Squelette. 

“There was only one of these in the United State. This is just something that I had to have in my possession. You can see the complication and mechanics that go into putting this watch together. For me, this is something that when it comes to fine watch making, is an essential piece. Of all my watches, I will say this is maybe my best one,” Melo shared.

Crafted in platinum, rose gold, and white gold, the watch is limited to 50 pieces. The watch is reportedly worth $51,050 as per Chrono 24. Additionally, he also prides himself on showing off his Greubel Forsey GMT Tourbillon 43.5mm. This one, with the last known retail price of $605,000 as per Essentially Watches of Beverly Hills, is designed with Rose gold with a black Alligator strap and an anthracite dial.

But there’s more, especially the brand he gifted his teammates just to motivate them and enter the playoffs as a rookie.

Carmelo Anthony’s vast watch collection 

The Knicks legend’s collection also features pieces from Richard Mille, Hublot, Patek Philippe, Breguet, and more. And of course, he has Rolex watches. Wearing a Rolex for the first time was a thrilling experience for Melo. “I bought my first Rolex that’s when I felt like okay I’m here like this feels different like you have a different aura you have a different swag when you get your first Rolex and put that on your wrist,” he said. This was perhaps the beginning, as he went on to add more and more stunning pieces.

He has become more meticulous now in curating his watch collection, paying close attention to the mechanisms and design. We can see that in his Rolex Yacht-Master II. Crafted for sailing enthusiasts and adventurers, it has a water resistance capacity of 100m and fitting for an adventure.

The most gorgeous Rolex that Melo boasts is the 60th-anniversary edition of the Rolex Day-Date, which flaunts a bright olive green dial. He was spotted wearing this watch at the fitting USA-Serbia Semifinal Game in the Paris Olympics.

Another standout watch from Melo’s collection is the Rolex Sky-Dweller. With a dual-time display, this watch was designed for avid travelers. The other two highlights are the Hublot Ferrari and the Breguet Marine Royal, which has a water resistance of 300m.

The 2003 NCAA champion played for 19 years in the league and along with his business, he earned a whopping $160 million net worth. So, splurging a bit on these beauties won’t be much for the 2x USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.