NBA Star J.J. Redick Talks Watches
Since joining the NBA in 2006, J.J. Redick has acquired a reputation for deadly accurate shots along with an admirable collection of fine watches. In an interview with Askmen.com, the shooting guard for the L.A. Clippers shared his love for luxury timepieces.
Redick revealed how he got hooked on watches. “Growing up, I didn’t know anyone that was a watch collector or into watches, but I was always kind of curious about them. Before the NBA Draft, I knew I was going to get drafted, and I wanted to commemorate that by buying a watch.
“The day before the draft, I was in New York City, walking up Fifth Avenue and I stopped in the Wempe boutique, and I wanted to buy a Rolex. That was the one brand I had heard of at that point. I ended up buying a Rolex Datejust; I want to say the rest is history but it took about three or four more years for me to really get into watches.”
When he did “get into watches,” J.J. Redick went all out, amassing a collection that currently includes a dozen pieces from brands like Rolex and Patek Philippe. He told the interviewer which of his watches he would choose to wear for a family brunch, a date with his wife or a championship parade for the L.A. Clippers.
“Okay, so brunch with the family, I’m definitely wearing a vintage Rolex. I’m like a v-neck, skinny jeans and Converse-type of guy, so vintage Rolex kind of fits those. My two favorite ones are the 5513 Gilt Dial and then I have a silver dial 6263. That would be the vintage Daytona with the black acrylic bezel. Those are my two favorites.
“For a special date with my wife, I would probably be wearing a blazer or suit, or something like that, so I’d go a little dressier. I would probably say I would wear my Patek 5170, which is the modern white gold chronograph that I own.
“For the third scenario, which is my favorite scenario you mentioned, I would actually wear a watch that I don’t own yet. A few years ago, I kind of figured out what my ‘grail pieces’ were and that includes the Patek 5970. I’d most likely get it in white gold as it’s a little more versatile than the other three metals. I kind of made a deal with myself that if we win the championship, I would get to buy that watch, so that’s my goal right now. It works great: professional goal and hobby goal go hand-in-hand.”
Sounds like a dream come true—the championship and the watch!
