Haute Couture Meets Haute Horlogerie: Met Gala 2025 Highlights

While the world’s fashion cognoscenti ascended the storied steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday evening, their attire commanded attention. But for the truly discerning eye, the real drama unfolded at wrist level. The Met Gala 2025 transformed New York into a veritable horological playground where timepieces spoke volumes about their wearers’ sophistication, cultural literacy, and spending power.

This year’s gala, the perennial crown jewel of fashion’s biggest night out, celebrated “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” a Met Gala theme exploring the profound influence of Black dandyism throughout history. The corresponding dress code, “Tailored for You,” unleashed a cavalcade of sartorial innovation rarely witnessed even on this illustrious Met Gala 2025 red carpet. 

Celebrities and their luxury watches spotted at the 2025 Met Gala:

1. Shah Rukh Khan Wearing A Patek Philippe
2. Diljit Dosanjh in newly launched Cartier Panthère
3. Hailey Bieber Wearing A Vintage Audemars Piguet
4. Usher Wearing A Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
5. Colman Domingo Wearing An Unreleased Omega
6. Saquon Barkley Wearing A H. Moser & Cie.
7. Jeff Goldblum Wearing A Jacob & Co.
8. Maluma Wearing A Jacob & Co.
9. Walton Goggins Wearing A Vacheron Constantin

About Met Gala 2025

The Met Gala New York isn’t merely a spectacle of extravagance; it’s a brilliantly orchestrated fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, marking the opening of its annual fashion exhibition. Year after year, the event is held at the iconic Met Gala venue. The first Monday in May has become synonymous with this cultural phenomenon, creating an annual rhythm in the fashion calendar that industry insiders, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts worldwide anticipate with mounting excitement.

This year\'s Met Gala 2025 theme drew inspiration from Monica L. Miller\'s seminal work Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity

This year’s Met Gala 2025 theme drew inspiration from Monica L. Miller’s seminal work “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” exploring the indelible impact of Black sartorial expression across twelve meticulously curated sections. With co-chairs Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and the indomitable Anna Wintour at the helm, plus LeBron James as honorary Met Gala host, the evening blended cultural celebration with unbridled luxury.

Indian Glamour Claims the Night

Shah Rukh Khan made his spectacular debut in a sharp Sabyasachi ensemble with a \'K\' dangling around his neck. Other Indian celebrities like Diljit Dosanjh, Kiara Advani, Natasha Poonawala, and more

In a magnificent display of sartorial splendour, Indian luminaries dominated the 2025 Met Gala, unquestionably emerging as the night’s most captivating dandies. Shah Rukh Khan made his spectacular debut in a sharp Sabyasachi ensemble complete with talismanic chains and an 18k gold cane, while Priyanka Chopra dazzled in custom Balmain featuring Bulgari‘s record-breaking 241-carat Magnus Emerald. Mother-to-be Kiara Advani commanded attention in Gaurav Gupta’s sculptural gold corset symbolising maternal connection, as Diljit Dosanjh embraced regal heritage in Prabal Gurung with traditional Kripan. Designers themselves made statements, Sabyasachi in a jewelled plume cap and ivory overcoat, Manish Malhotra in an intricately beaded sherwani cape. The South Asian contingent was completed by Natasha Poonawalla’s Parsi-inspired couture, Isha Ambani’s handwoven Benarasi paired with historic Cartier, Mona Patel with her diamond-leashed robotic companion, and Diya Mehta in crystal-encrusted Himalayan cashmere. Never has the Met witnessed such a magnificent celebration of subcontinental splendour.

Roaring Rhythm, Diljit Dosanjh Unleashes the Cartier Panthère’s Wild Side

Adorning Diljit Dosanjh\'s wrist: Cartier Panthère in 18k rose gold with diamonds

Yet it was Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh who truly conquered the Met Gala celebrities in custom Prabal Gurung. His ivory and gold sherwani, paired with a tehmat and sweeping cape embroidered with Punjab’s silhouette, created a magnificent tableau. A feathered, jewel-studded turban completed the regal look, while around his neck hung a layered diamond set by Golecha’s Jewels, emulating the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s iconic Patiala necklace. Adorning his wrist: the newly launched Cartier Panthère in 18K rose gold with diamonds, its feline-inspired case catching the light as he gesticulated emphatically for photographers.

The Cartier Panthère in 18k rose gold with diamonds and its feline-inspired case

Shah Rukh Khan Commands the Court in Patek Philippe

Shah Rukh Khan shows off a dazzling Patek Philippe, perfect for his first-ever Met Gala

If dandyism represents the art of standing out while appearing effortlessly at ease, then the Indian contingent proved themselves masters of the form. Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood’s undisputed king, arrived in a sweeping floor-length trench coat over an unbuttoned shirt, elevated by show-stopping accessories, diamond-encrusted “K” and “SRK” pendants layered with luxurious chains and statement rings. His tiger-topped walking stick added theatrical flair. Nestled against this regal backdrop, his Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar 5304/301R appeared almost humble. The skeletonised dial, revealing the mechanical symphony beneath, mirrored Khan’s own multifaceted appeal, technical brilliance wrapped in undeniable charisma.

The Vintage Allure, Hailey Bieber Meets 1975 Audemars Piguet Opal

Hailey Bieber rocking a vintage Audemars Piguet while donning a Saint Laurent blazer

Hailey Bieber’s vintage Audemars Piguet (Reference. 8495BC from 1975) with its mesmerising blue opal dial brought whispers of horological history to her contemporary Saint Laurent black blazer. The double-breasted silhouette was complemented by sheer tights and patent platform pumps that elongated her already statuesque frame. 

Usher Smoothly Spins the Reverso One Duetto in Jewelled Style

Usher\'s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto Jewellery Q336247J, a dual-faced creation that transforms with a simple gesture, complemented the outfit\'s theatrical presence.

Met Gala guest and musical virtuoso Usher, a member of the host committee, eschewed the expected tuxedo for a custom-created by Thom Browne structured coat dress in burgundy velvet with asymmetrical lapels and gold embroidered detailing. His Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto Jewellery Q336247J, a dual-faced creation that transforms with a simple gesture, complemented the outfit’s theatrical presence. 

Saquon Barkley Keeps it Ultra-Modern with H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour

Saquon Barkley Keeps it Ultra-Modern with H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Vantablack which blends seamlessly with his Thom Browne ensemle

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley demonstrated that athletic prowess and horological appreciation aren’t mutually exclusive. His H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack, with a dial that absorbs 99.965% of visible light, created a mesmerising void against his Thom Browne tuxedo. The designer’s famously quirky proportions, high-water trousers, and cropped jacket might have made anyone else appear diminutive, but Barkley’s athletic frame carried the look with aplomb.

Get a closer look at the H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Tourbillon Concept Vantablack

Jeff Goldblum Shows Up with Jacob & Co. Slender Ashoka Diamond

Jeff Goldblum, often spotted with a Vacheron Constantin on his wrist, shows up to the Met Gala with a flamboyant Jacob & Co.

The inimitable Jeff Goldblum, at 72, proved elegance knows no age in his oversized Wales Bonner overcoat with a luxurious fur-lined collar, beneath which gleamed the exquisite Jacob & Co. Slender Ashoka Diamond Boutique Watch. His maximalist vision manifested in a meticulously tailored double-breasted tuxedo of wool-and-silk slub fabric, masterfully complemented with gleaming patent-leather Manolo Blahnik opera shoes.

Maluma’s Mega-Green Moment in the Emerald Billionaire III

Maluma embraced maximalism with the Jacob & Co. Emerald Billionaire III

Colombian sensation Maluma embraced maximalism with the Jacob & Co. Emerald Billionaire III, its 714 natural emeralds totalling 147.65 carats creating a forest of green fire on his wrist. Maluma made a cultural statement in a custom floral long blazer extending past his knees, paired with matching wide-leg dress pants and a black hat adorned with pink roses, a powerful tribute to Pachucos and their iconic zoot suits.

Colman Takes Unreleased Omega’s Moonshine Gold for a Spin

Colman Domingo, serving as one of the evening\'s distinguished co-chairs, flaunted an unreleased Omega Speedmaster

Actor and playwright Colman Domingo, serving as one of the evening’s distinguished co-chairs, embodied the exhibition’s theme with remarkable commitment. His burnished copper three-piece suit featured an elongated Harlem Renaissance-inspired silhouette with subtle, movement-reactive pinstripes. Complementing his ensemble was a pre-production Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional in Moonshine Gold—a perfect metaphor for his stellar career trajectory.

Vacheron Constantin Gets a Hollywood Moment on Walton Goggins’ Wrist

Walton Goggins, fresh from his scene-stealing performance in HBO\'s \"The White Lotus\", made his Met Gala 2025 debut wearing a Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle

In a delightful confluence of fictional and real-world luxury, Walton Goggins, fresh from his scene-stealing performance in HBO’s “The White Lotus“, made his Met Gala 2025 debut wearing a Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Complete Calendar Openface. Like his enigmatic character who slips beneath the surface with unsettling ease, Goggins’ horological choice whispered rather than shouted, 270 years of Swiss expertise quietly ticking away as he navigated the museum stairs.