Wait, Drake Has 143 Rolexes?
We all know Drake can rap and give us a few dance-worthy melodies in between, but did you know he has a GOATed watch collection? Champagne Papi's watches have increasingly gone from his wrists into his lyrics, becoming an ongoing staple in his braggadocious bars.
The Boy takes his horology seriously, flexing a healthy variety of hype watches and under-the-radar timepieces that even had Pride & Pinon's Nico Leonard drooling in admiration.
Though Drake does have favorites in his collection, like his Virgil Abloh Custom Patek Phillipe 5726 (referenced in the track "Life is Good") or his Jacob & Co Astronomia Casino, there is one specific Swiss watchmaker that Drizzy is obsessed with, Rolex.
On his recent 100gigs drop, on the banger "It's Up" featuring Young Thug and 21 Savage, in between the jabs and usual Drizzy bars, Drake let the world know he has 143 Rolexes in his watch collection.
It's all just a part of the game, we all gotta roll with protection
And just like the motherfuckin' judge, the hammers come out for objections
Nigga, what's up?
A hundred-and-forty-three Rolexes in my collection
Now, I can't confirm that Drake truly has 143 Rolexes in his rotation (Drake, I'd be very happy to see the collection), but I don't deny it. In a majority of his appearances, Drake is almost always wearing a Rollie, specifically rare off-catalog pieces that would have your Rolex A.D. chuckling if you ever requested to see one.
I can't speak on why Drake has over $1 million of Rolexes or why it is his preferred choice of wristwear. However, I can speak to Rolex's storied history with hip-hop.
Rolex equals status. In the world of hip-hop, the ability to flex can be just as crucial as the bars you spit. Icons like Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay Z didn’t just rock Rolexes for the time; they wore Daytonas, Skydwellers, and Day-Date Presidentials as extensions of their MC personas.
These watches became more than just accessories—they turned into heirlooms and rites of passage for anyone aspiring to walk in the footsteps of their hip-hop heroes.
It's why, to this day, your favorite new M.C. might buy a Rolex before they buy a car or put a downpayment on a house.
Outside of what I am sure is a sincere love for watchmaking and Rolexes, Drake's collection of watches is very hip hop stylistically, both directly annd indirectly reflecting the wrist pieces that the musicians he grew up worshiping and studying on his path towards stardom.
If I was a superstar, would I buy 143 Rolexes? Probably not. But I would have a handful of Sky-Dwellers on rotation.
We won't be breaking down all the Rolexes in Champagne Papi's collection, but here are some of our favorites.
Rolex Day-Date Champagne Dial with Diamonds
Reference: 228398TBR
Retail Price: $89,000
One of the more "casual" (and accessible) Rolexes in Drake's watch collection, I'd consider this option as a daily driver if I had to take a pick. The Rolex comes with two beloved staples from the brand: the champagne dial and the presidential bracelet. The diamonds on the bezel are a nice touch if you are trying to stand out from those in the Day-Date crowd.
Rolex Day-Date 36 Yellow Gold with Baguette-cut Diamonds & Sapphires
Reference Number: 128458TBR
Retail Price: $118,00
However, if you want to truly create a valley-sized gap between you and the casual Rolex wearer, I'd recommend getting yourself an off-catalI'dtimepiece from the Swiss watchmaker. Usually reserved for big spenders at the brand, these watches are often minimal, with uncommon, even quirky designs.
Drake has a lot of off-catalog pieces, but this is easily one of my favorites because of its color-blocked fuchsia strap and blue dial.
I have never seen this colorway in the wild. It's so jarring from the notoriously conservative brand that it took me a minute to realize the watch also features a full factory set case of diamond sapphires.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Meteorite Dial White Gold
Reference: 326959TBR
Retail Price: $995,000
Iced-out watches will always be a part of hip hop. However, if you want to have an icy wrist, go for the factory set and avoid any aftermarket bullshit. Factory set diamonds, like the ones sourced for this Rolex, are the best for stone clarity, ensuring your wrist starts dancing when it hits the light. This variant of the Sky-Dweller is easily one of Drake's most expensive watches.
Rolex Daytona Rainbow "Everose Gold" with Diamonds & Sapphires
Reference: 116595RBOW-0002
Retail Price: $592,000
This watch is single-handedly responsible for hip-hop's current obsession with rainbow gem-set watches. The watch comes in 18K, diamond-encrusted Everose gold, with rainbow-jeweled sapphire index hour indicators across the bezel.
If you know anything about watches, you know that the Daytona is one of the most coveted watches in the industry. Add these jewels and a consign from hip-hop's biggest, and you create a monster grail of a watch.
Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman"
Reference: 6239
Price: $250,000
Speaking of Daytonas, from many collectors, the Paul Newman Daytona is considered a holy grail. Worn by the legendary "Cool Man Luke" actor mentioned in the name of this vintage piece, the timepiece blew up in the 70s, eventually becoming a must-have for anyone who wants to emulate Newman's charismatic swagger.
There are many Newman variants of this watch, but the one Drake is wearing is the exact configuration that Paul Newman wore.
Eager to check out the latest and greatest in the watch world? Be sure to stop by our Highsnobiety Watch Guide or pick up a few watches in our Highsnobiety shop.
