From Rolex to Richard Mille: The Best Luxury Watches Seen at the 2026 US Open

The biggest names in world tennis have once again gathered at this year's US Open, but the focus in New York wasn't just on what was happening on the court. Flushing Meadows traditionally allows more room for personal style than Wimbledon, and that more relaxed approach was once again evident on the wrists of the players, their guests and celebrities.

While Jannik Sinner missed the tournament due to injury, Carlos Alcaraz returned after a four-month hiatus due to a wrist injury to defend last year's title. In the meantime, watch enthusiasts had plenty of reason to turn their attention to what the participants in this year's tournament were wearing.

One of the most striking pieces was certainly Carlos Alcaraz's watch. The defending champion showed up with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Le Mans" model made of 18-carat yellow gold. Given his four-month hiatus due to a wrist injury, the choice of watch is particularly interesting, even though Alcaraz is already well-known as a Rolex ambassador.

The "Le Mans" model is recognizable by its panda dial, green details on the subdials and tachymeter scale. Its name refers to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, which Rolex has sponsored since 2001.

The Daytona thus combines Rolex's heritage in motorsport with its presence in the world of tennis, and given Alcaraz's history with the brand, this is likely not the last Daytona we will see on his wrist during the tournament. It costs around 313,000 Australian dollars, although it is not easy to find in stores.

Taylor Fritz opted for a slightly simpler approach. The best American hope in the men's draw took to the court with a 40mm yellow gold Cosmograph Daytona, the same model he wore during this year's Wimbledon. However, the watch itself is far from an ordinary choice. It is a reference that helped build the reputation of the Daytona, further celebrated decades earlier thanks to Paul Newman.

Fritz, like Alcaraz, is a Rolex Testimonee, so his choice is not accidental. Instead of a limited dial or exotic material, he opted for a classic version. Rolex lists the price of this model at 92,500 Australian dollars.

Alex de Minaur has a completely different watch on his wrist. The Australian tennis player, known for his speed and energy on the court, played in the first round of the US Open, if it is the model he is believed to be wearing, wearing a still-unreleased electric blue Gerald Charles watch.

It is the Gerald Charles Maestro GC Sport London Jewelers 100th Anniversary Limited Edition, created in collaboration with London Jewelers to mark its 100th anniversary. The watch features the brand's signature tonneau case and integrated bracelet, and was produced in a very small series. De Minaur opened his tournament with a three-set victory. The estimated price is around 33,000 Australian dollars.

Although Roger Federer did not play in the US Open this year, his arrival in New York did not go unnoticed by watch enthusiasts. Recently inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Federer appeared at a special ceremony to receive his ITHF ring, wearing a Rolex Land-Dweller. The Land-Dweller is one of Rolex’s most important new models and features a new case that the brand hasn’t introduced in decades.

Federer has been associated with Rolex for 25 years, and it was he who unofficially introduced the model to the public last year after his copy was spotted in New York. The Rolex Land-Dweller has a listed price of 27,400 Australian dollars.

Alexander Zverev also didn’t choose a watch that would easily go unnoticed. His Jacob & Co. Epic X Ceramic Blue is a perfect fit for a player who is hard to miss on the court anyway. The almost two-meter-tall tennis player is known for his powerful serve, but also for his distinct style.

Earlier this year in Melbourne, for example, he performed in an all-electric pink adidas combination from head to toe. For Jacob & Co., whose watches are known for attracting attention even from the other side of the court, Zverev is therefore a fitting ambassador.

The Epic X Ceramic Blue model was introduced earlier this year and features a 44mm ceramic case and an open construction with visible bridges. Compared to some of the other watches Zverev has worn in the past, this one is more refined, lighter and more practical to wear, but still designed to be noticed. It is worth around 50,000 Australian dollars.

Among the most expensive watches seen at this year’s US Open was one that did not belong to any tennis player. Travis Scott, an American rapper, songwriter and actor, appeared in the stands with a Richard Mille RM 75-01 Flying Tourbillon Sapphire in a white and blue version. The model is limited to just ten pieces worldwide, making it one of the most exclusive watches at this year’s sporting event. Scott has previously shown a penchant for extremely rare watches, and this year he wore a unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar to the FIFA World Cup.

The RM 75-01 is based on an architecturally designed flying tourbillon movement housed within a completely transparent sapphire case. Its sapphire construction and limited production run make it one of the most exclusive Richard Mille sapphire tourbillons. With a price tag of approximately US$2.2 million (AU$3 million), it is also one of the most expensive watches to appear at a sporting event this year.

The 2026 US Open has already offered a very diverse selection of watches so far — from classic gold Rolex Daytona models to limited edition Gerald Charles and striking Jacob & Co. models to the extremely rare sapphire Richard Mille. And with the tournament still underway, the list of watches seen in New York is clearly not yet complete.

Photos: Boss Hunting