Chamath Palihapitiya's Exquisite Watch Collection: Part 2
While we marvel at and covet this exquisite watch collection, we can glean insights into Chamath’s collecting strategy.
My article on Chamath Palihapitiya's watch collection, which was posted in March 2023, stands out as one of the most viewed pieces in this newsletter, thanks to significant traffic from Google Search. It's fascinating to realize that some people were searching for information about Chamath's watches. Upon a friend's suggestion, I decided to reach out to Chamath regarding the article, and it turned out to be a great idea. I received a prompt reply!
Chamath expressed his appreciation for my writeup but pointed out, "you are missing a few!" and suggested, "there are a handful you need to add." The thrill of receiving his comments was akin to getting a call from the AD for a Panda Daytona! Now, I'm delighted to present part two of Chamath's watch collection.
Similar to the previous article, the watch models are the best effort guesses, based on the watches Chamath wore on the All-In Podcast. I received valuable assistance from a few watch enthusiasts on Instagram who generously helped me out. Consensus quickly emerged for some watches, while there are still ongoing disagreements about one or two others. Regardless, this effort has been enjoyable, and I must extend my gratitude to these watch detectives. Special shoutouts to Daniel (@minuterepeater9), Steve (@stevehallock), Mike (@hoosier_horologist_), @itscomplications, Kunal (@khemkakunal) and @vintageneowatch for their invaluable contributions.
Patek Philippe Ref 5975P multi-scale chronograph in platinum, 100-piece limited edition
Chamath had worn this timepiece in a few episodes and this year’s All-In Summit. The watch is most recognizable in Episode #126, due to the very distinct dial design. Patek Philippe rarely releases limited edition watches, but when they do, these pieces become instant collectibles. What we have here is one such highly sought-after piece.
The Ref 5975 was introduced in 2015 as part of Patek Philippe's 175th-anniversary celebration. It is a chronograph featuring a center seconds hand and three scales for measuring distance, pulse, and speed. The outermost scale serves as a telemeter for measuring distance, the middle scale functions as a pulsometer for heart rate measurement, and the innermost scale is a tachymeter for measuring speed. While most chronograph watches include only one scale, and some have at most two, having three scales on the dial is exceptionally rare.
The Ref 5975 was available in four models, each with the respective prices from 2015:
Ref 5975J: yellow gold, silvery opaline dial, 400 limited edition, CHF 53K
Ref 5975G: white gold, silvery opaline dial, 400 limited edition, CHF 53K
Ref 5975R: rose gold, silvery opaline dial, 400 limited edition, CHF 53K
Ref 5975P: platinum, black lacquered dial, 100 limited edition, CHF 78K
Chamath owns the platinum model, one of only 100 pieces available. It's truly a special Patek Philippe chronograph to cherish and enjoy!
Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 2533 Silver Dial
In Episode 129, Chamath adorned his wrist with a simple yet elegant vintage yellow gold timepiece. Identifying it proved challenging, with suggestions ranging from a Rolex Bubbleback to a vintage Patek. After some extensive searching on Google Image, my inclination led me to the Patek Philippe Calatrava Reference 2533.
While many vintage Patek Calatravas feature a sub-dial seconds hand, Chamath's choice boasted a center seconds hand, lending it a slightly more sporty aesthetic. Introduced in 1952 to succeed the reference 565, the Reference 2533 showcases wide hour and minute hands, complemented by the curved design of the case, contributing to its sportier appeal. The case size, at 34mm, aligns with the prevalent sizes of the 1950s.
Despite Chamath's predominantly modern collection, this rare vintage Calatrava, impeccably preserved, eloquently underscores his discerning taste.
Universal Genève Square Uni-Compax Chronograph Ref 12105
Another exquisite vintage timepiece in Chamath's collection is this chronograph from Universal Genève appearing in Episode 128. The unmistakable square case, prominent crown and pushers, and the presence of two sub-dials at 3/9 o'clock allowed us to confidently identify this piece.
Universal Genève has recently made headlines as Breitling acquired the rights to the brand with plans for a revival. Can we attribute Chamath's acquisition of this beautiful Universal Genève to his keen foresight? The watch looked particularly appealing on his wrist, complementing the light pink sweater. The square-cased chronograph, produced in limited quantities compared to the round-cased counterparts by Universal Genève, adds to the collectibility of this timepiece. The impeccable condition of this piece in his collection is truly remarkable.
Cartier Tank Chinoise Yellow Gold Ref WGTA0088 150-piece Limited Edition
At last year's All-In Summit in Los Angeles, Chamath wore a gleaming Cartier Tank on his wrist. Given the many Tank models available, the question arises: which model is this? Could it possibly be the Tank Chinoise Yellow Gold Reference WGTA0088, a 150-piece Limited Edition launched in 2022 to celebrate the model's centennial anniversary? It's a rare commemorative piece that aligns with the type of acquisition Chamath might favor, akin to the Patek Ref 5975P.
The term "Chinoise" is French for Chinese, and the original inspiration for this model, a century ago, drew from Chinese architecture. Notably, the two horizontal bars superimposed on the two vertical bars, a design element somewhat visible in the All-In summit videos. Additionally, the watch appeared relatively new, fitting the timeline of a 2022 release.
Hence, this speculation stands as my guess. If accurate, it could mark one of Chamath's latest acquisitions. Regardless, the presence of a Cartier Tank in Chamath's collection vividly showcases the diversity within his impressive assortment.
Patek Philippe Ref 5524R Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
It was no surprise to see the travel-loving Chamath rocking a travel watch on the All-In Podcast (Episode 144). But what an excellent pick among the dual time offerings out there! In Episode 144, we saw Chamath wearing a Patek Philippe Ref 5524R Calatrava Pilot Travel Time that stood out. We could even see the second time zone hand set 2 hours behind the local time in a screen capture.
The prevailing design for a dual-time watch uses a 24-hour bezel, like the Rolex GMT Master II. The Patek Pilot Travel Time opts for a second center hour hand on the 12-hour dial, together with day/night indicators for both local and home time zones. The readability is better on the 12-hour scale, and the second time zone hand can hide beneath the local hour hand when not traveling. The Patek design is superior in my opinion - kudos to Chamath for a marvelous choice!
Chamath’s Watch Collection
Combining the watches highlighted in the initial article provides a more comprehensive understanding of Chamath's collecting strategy. It's worth noting that in Episode 136, Chamath was spotted wearing an Apple watch. While traveling in Italy, he might opt not to bring the expensive watches with him.
Therefore, strictly speaking, here is Chamath’s mechanical watch collection, as seen in the All-In Podcast.
Patek Philippe:
Ref 5159R perpetual calendar in rose gold
Ref 5975P multi-scale chronograph in platinum, 100-piece limited edition
Ref 5524R Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
Ref 2533 Calatrava center second with a silver dial
A. Lange & Söhne:
Datograph perpetual in white gold
Richard Lange “Pour le Mérite” in white gold
Audemars Piguet:
Royal Oak double balance wheel openworked rose gold
Richard Mille:
RM035 Rafael Nadal
Rolex:
Daytona 116515LN in rose gold
Universal Geneve
Square Uni-Compax Chronograph 12105
Cartier:
Tank Chinoise Yellow Gold Ref WGTA0088 150-piece Limited Edition
While we admire and drool over this exquisite collection, we can learn from Chamath's collecting strategy. He focuses on a few top brands and favors quality over quantity. The two Lange pieces are the most complicated in the German brand's lineup. The Pateks are top complications the historical brand is renowned for. Rarity matters, as seen in the limited editions. For brands with just one piece, he chose the most iconic. While 2 of 11 are vintage, their condition is pristine. He loves precious metals and doesn't chase the hype of steel sports models. None of us possesses financial resources like Chamath, but we can learn to be highly selective within our own budget.
As a renowned VC, Chamath likely considers investment potential for some of these pieces. If so, he focuses on "blue chip" brands with strong value retention. I'm curious why no independent makers like F.P. Journe or De Bethune are present. Perhaps as a VC he's seen too many startups fail, so avoids young brands with unclear futures. Or he simply doesn’t have time to learn about them. If we met, I'd suggest exploring indies more - it's fun and can be a great investment, like the top 1% of startups.
Chamath's fun-loving nature is evident, as seen in his response to me. He wears his watches, instead of keeping them as safe queens. Watch enthusiasts love to share their watches in chat groups or GTGs. Chamath's unique approach is to showcase his watches on the All-In Podcast. Thanks a lot to Chamath for sharing his watches, bringing joy to fellow watch enthusiasts. While I may still be "missing a few," I'll eagerly watch for any new additions in future episodes.
Very cool 👌 nice of him to reply too 😄