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Watches

5 biggest watch moments in June, from World Cup celebrity timepieces to a titan’s death

STORYJosiah Ng
Henry Cavill sports a vintage Longines Monopusher Chronograph at the Royal Ascot 2026; MB&F release the HM12, a watch that includes a robot stand; and Delugs opens its boutique in Hong Kong. Photos: Handout
Henry Cavill sports a vintage Longines Monopusher Chronograph at the Royal Ascot 2026; MB&F release the HM12, a watch that includes a robot stand; and Delugs opens its boutique in Hong Kong. Photos: Handout
Timepieces

Brad Pitt, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland rocked their timepieces at the Fifa World Cup, while Breitling joins Watches and Wonders 2027

It’s been a whirlwind of a summer so far for watches. Celebrities were spotted in high horology at sporting events around the world: Spike Lee at the NBA Finals, Brad Pitt and a host of players at the Fifa World Cup, and Henry Cavill at the Royal Ascot.

Meanwhile, Breitling, Gallet and Universal Genève announced that they will be joining next year’s edition of Watches and Wonders, strapmaker Delugs opened its second boutique and MB&F released a robot, while Breguet celebrated the tourbillon and Patek Philippe announced the passing of a titan.

Here are the most important moments in June for high horology.

House of Brands joins Watches and Wonders 2027

Watches and Wonders 2027 will get a number of new faces. Photo: Handout
Watches and Wonders 2027 will get a number of new faces. Photo: Handout
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Even though it’s been just over two months since this year’s fair, Watches and Wonders is already building anticipation for next year’s, taking place from April 5 to 11. The roster of major brands at the fair is expanding – Audemars Piguet and Credor came on board this year, while House of Brands – comprising Breitling, Gallet and Universal Genève – is the latest addition.
The Universal Genève Polerouter was originally designed by Gérald Genta. Photo: Handout
The Universal Genève Polerouter was originally designed by Gérald Genta. Photo: Handout

Breitling has a long-established history as a single brand with seminal pieces like the Navitimer, the Top Time and more. House of Brands acquired Gallet and Universal Genève over the last few years, successfully reviving the latter in April with not just a refurbished Polerouter – famous for being designed by a young Gérald Genta to commemorate a flight from either New York or Los Angeles to Europe via the North Pole – but an entire range of pieces that also includes precious stones and high jewellery watches.

Given how expansive both Breitling and Universal Genève are – and with Gallet, known for a wide, historic range of chronograph tool watches, still in the wings – it will be exciting to see what the conglomerate has in store for next year’s fair.

Celebrity watches at the NBA Finals, Fifa World Cup and Royal Ascot

Spike Lee attends the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, on June 10. Photo: Getty Images/AFP
Spike Lee attends the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, on June 10. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

It’s been an eventful month of sports and watches in North America as the NBA Playoffs and Finals concluded just before the group stages of the World Cup began in Canada, Mexico and the US.

For the former, the New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. Both players and high-flying fans boasted a wide array of Rolexes, Cartiers, Audemars Piguets and more, but none summed up the series better than Spike Lee – who has been paying for his own courtside tickets for decades – rocking an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m, customised in Knicks blue and orange.
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