Business leaders and their luxury watches: the timepieces behind the titans of 2025

In the world of business and technology, time is the ultimate currency — and a wristwatch, the symbol of how one values it. For today’s leaders, the choice of a mechanical watch is far more than a style decision; it’s a quiet reflection of discipline, heritage, and innovation. From Silicon Valley to Wall Street, here’s a closer look at the business leaders and the timepieces that define them in 2025.

Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1 ©Greubel Forsey-Press Pack

Mark Zuckerberg – Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1

Once known for his minimalist wardrobe, Meta’s founder has surprised watch enthusiasts by wearing a Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 — a rare, entirely hand-crafted white-gold timepiece valued at nearly $900,000. Only a few are made each year, and each takes over 6,000 hours to complete.

Why it matters: A bold shift from tech simplicity to horological mastery — an expression of precision and human craftsmanship in a digital age.

Sam Altman – Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has been spotted with the ultra-rare Greubel Forsey Invention Piece 1, one of only 33 ever made.Its asymmetric dial and twin tourbillons mirror Altman’s complex approach to innovation — blending science, rarity, and art.

Why it matters: The perfect metaphor for a man leading the charge in artificial intelligence — a machine of precision with a human touch.

Jeff Bezos – Ulysse Nardin Dual Time & Richard Mille RM 27-05

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been seen transitioning from a Ulysse Nardin Dual Time to the futuristic Richard Mille RM 27-05, worth about $2.4 million.

Why it matters: The Dual Time reflected practicality during his Amazon years; the RM 27-05 — made with advanced carbon composite — aligns with his Blue Origin vision of space-age innovation.

Jen-Hsun Huang – Richard Mille Tourbillon

The NVIDIA CEO often wears Richard Mille tourbillons, watches engineered for performance and extreme precision — just like his AI chips.

Why it matters: Richard Mille’s design philosophy (“a racing machine on the wrist”) resonates perfectly with Huang’s high-performance ethos.

Bernard Arnault – TAG Heuer / Hublot / Zenith

As CEO of LVMH, Bernard Arnault champions his own brands — TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith — frequently seen alternating between the trio.

Why it matters: A masterclass in brand alignment. His wrist promotes the very craftsmanship and identity his conglomerate stands for.

Jack Ma – Discreet Collector

Alibaba’s founder, Jack Ma, has rarely been seen flaunting luxury watches, though he has publicly discussed the paradox of luxury and counterfeiting.This reflective stance makes him an outlier — one who values meaning over display.

Why it matters: In an age of excess, restraint can be the ultimate statement of confidence.

Key takeaways

• Luxury watches act as symbols of leadership identity, not just wealth.

• Tech innovators and entrepreneurs choose timepieces that mirror their personal philosophies — from artisanal craftsmanship to futuristic engineering.

• For collectors and first-time buyers, these stories reveal why certain brands command loyalty and emotional value.