MasterChef’s masterpieces? 7 watches in Gordon Ramsay’s luxury collection, from his beloved Rolexes and Audemars Piguets, to his unusual Breitling and IWC timepieces

Apr 22 , 2024

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay seems to be a big Rolex guy. Photo: Getty Images

Love him or hate him, Gordon Ramsay is a man who knows his mind, has opinions, and isn’t shy about expressing them. That’s partly what helped him catapult to fame as one of reality TV’s first superstars in the 2000s, as the main personality in iconic, genre-defining reality shows like Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, The F Word and MasterChef.

That same strong-mindedness extends to his sense of style as well. His transition from an aspiring footballer to a Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur has seen him develop a distinct and sophisticated taste in watches. Throughout the years, Ramsay has been spotted on our screens wearing a variety of smart wrist pieces, and as his culinary empire and wealth have expanded, so has his luxury watch collection.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best high-end watches seen on chef Gordon Ramsay.

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1. Rolex Submariner 5512

Gordon Ramsay wore his vintage Rolex Submariner 5512, with a patinated matt dial and a Nato strap, to last year’s Super Bowl. Photo: Getty Images

Ramsay is a known Rolex guy, and he’s been seen sporting several different Submariners over the years. Famously worn by Sean Connery in his role as James Bond, this iconic diving watch has been synonymous with British cool for the better part of a century.

At Super Bowl LVII in 2023, Ramsay impressed watch aficionados when he wore a vintage Submariner 5512, a rare piece dating back to the 1970s or earlier. Ramsay’s choice featured a beautifully patinated matt dial paired with a rugged Nato strap that matched the competitive spirit of one of the US’s biggest sporting events.

2. Rolex GMT-Master II “Batman”

Gordon Ramsay strapped on the GMT-Master II “Batman” for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2023. Photo: @rolexinsanewatches/Instagram

Another holy grail timepiece in Ramsay’s collection is the GMT-Master II “Batman”, a sought-after item for many of Hollywood’s most avid collectors. Celebrated for its dual-coloured Cerachrom ceramic bezel in shades of black and blue, this superhero-inspired watch was seen on the world-famous chef at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with purple dial

Gordon Ramsay wears a Royal Oak Chronograph with a purple dial and Grande Tapisserie pattern in 18k white gold. Photo: @LuxuryShots1/X

He might love Rolexes, but with his multifaceted personality, Ramsay isn’t tied to any one brand either. He’s been spotted wearing some stunning Audemars Piguets, including this stand-out special-edition chronograph. With a rich purple dial and three small dials on a Grande Tapisserie pattern (tapisserie means “tapestry” in French), this watch looks as regal as the name Royal Oak suggests. This statement-making 18k white gold watch is perfect for the king of kitchen drama.

4. Breitling Cockpit Chronograph with yellow dial

Gordon Ramsay has worn his Breitling Cockpit Chronograph, with an eye-catching yellow dial, on shows including Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. Photo: Handout

Fans who have been following Ramsay’s career from the start have likely noticed this vibrantly coloured pilot’s watch, a frequent accessory that he wore on shows like Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. Its association with the celebrity chef has become so pronounced over the years – with reruns of those shows still airing to audiences around the world – that some collectors affectionately refer to this yellow-faced model as “the Gordon Ramsay”.

5. JS Watch Co. Reykjavik Sif Nart 1948

Among Gordon Ramsay’s collection is a blue JS Watch Co. Reykjavik Sif Nart 1948 with a tanned calf strap. Photo: Handout

A fairly novel item in Ramsay’s inventory is this watch, according to the brand’s website, inspired by Iceland’s rich maritime legacy and the brand’s North Atlantic Rescue Timetable (Nart), a timepiece created for the Icelandic coastguard and waterproof to 1,000 metres. Crafted by JS Watch Co. Reykjavik, a respected yet under-the-radar watchmaker, this piece is probably part of a very exclusive production, given that the watchmaker is known for its small batches. Ramsay’s choice highlights his appreciation for not just mainstream luxury brands but also independent watchmakers and their unique, lesser-known creations.

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6. IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition ‘Tribute to Mark XI’

Ramsay brought his signature style of culinary critique to the popular YouTube series Hot Ones in January 2019 and made a return in December 2021, quickly becoming one of the show’s most unforgettable guests with his arsenal of spice-neutralising remedies, including peanut butter, Pepto Bismol and a lemon and lime milk cocktail.

It wasn’t just his culinary tactics that caught the audience’s eye, however; watch enthusiasts also took note of his timepiece. On his second visit, Ramsay sported an old favourite from his collection: IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Tribute to Mark XI”, a choice that subtly nods to his British heritage, considering the Mark XI was originally created for the Royal Air Force.

7. Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 self-winding flying tourbillon

One of Ramsay’s latest purchases seems to be this stunning two-toned tourbillon from Audemars Piguet’s Code 11.59 collection, which he wore in Miami, Florida, in February. This piece is a masterpiece of quiet luxury, layering black on black, from its onyx dial to the black lacquered inner bezel, all encased in an 18k white gold outer bezel with pink gold hands for a touch of warmth.

This luxury timepiece strikes the perfect balance between refined elegance and a sporty flair, making it suitable for wear even in chef’s whites – though Ramsay is probably the only chef who can actually pull it off.

Timepieces

A big Rolex guy, Gordon Ramsay’s collection includes a vintage Submariner – the iconic diving watch made famous by Sean Connery in his role as James Bond – and a GMT-Master II ‘Batman’
Fans spotted the chef wearing his Breitling Cockpit Chronograph on Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares, and his IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition in an appearance on the YouTube series Hot Ones