Twice-retired NFL legend Tom Brady — widely regarded as one of history’s greatest quarterbacks next to Joe Montana and Peyton Manning — has partnered with Sotheby’s for a once-in-a-lifetime auction; which will take place later this year in New York.
Aptly entitled ‘The GOAT Collection: Watches & Treasures from Tom Brady,’ this personality-led sale celebrates the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s longstanding and well-documented passion for horology.
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Well-heeled fans of sports memorabilia (and not timepieces) needn’t fret either, as The GOAT Collection also includes a number of important game-worn items: some even dating back to Brady’s days as a rookie at The University of Michigan.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have such an amazing journey in my career,” said Brady in a prepared statement released by Sotheby’s.
“These watches and collectibles really capture those unforgettable moments and all the hard work behind them.”
Since his first Super Bowl win back in 2002, Brady has been a prolific collector of mechanical watches. Aside from his long personal (and later commercial) association with IWC, the New England Patriots quarterback clearly is partial to several ‘Holy Trinity’ watchmakers: as evidenced by the now-discontinued Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5980 and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak he’s put up for sale.
The latter has already emerged as one of the two star lots of the action, with an initial estimate somewhere in the realm of US$400,000-$800,000. Broadly speaking, Brady’s unique personal example is based on the (already rare) Royal Oak Self-Winding Flying Tourbillon; and as pop culture fiends have already noted, was commissioned by him to be worn during the filming of Netflix’s comedy special The Roast of Tom Brady.
Rather than having the standard 12 indices, ‘The Roast’ (as it is listed on Sotheby’s website) incorporates a dial with only nine: spelling the words ‘Tom’ and ‘Brady’, punctuated by the Roman numeral VII. That itself is an allusion to the seven Super Bowl Titles that Brady attained over 21 seasons of his career — to date, the most of any player and any single NFL franchise.
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Other highlights, of both the horological and athletic variety, include a unique IWC Top Gun chronograph; Richard Mille RM35-03 (nicknamed the ‘Baby Nadal’); a wristband worn during the “championship clinching” match between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in 2017; and, as previously mentioned, the University of Michigan jersey that Brady wore during his final college game.
The GOAT Collection sale is scheduled to take place on December 10th, 2024. To explore all of the lots Brady has currently consigned, visit Sotheby’s online at the link below.
